Former Numismatic Bibliomania Society Secretary-Treasurer Dave Hirt is heading to Budapest soon for the holidays, but he's leaving us with this query - perhaps one of our readers can help. Dave writes: I have a question that I hope the E-Sylum readers can give me some information on. Recently I bought a small 4 X 6 inch auction catalog. I thought it was cute because of its small size. It was an auction by W.H. Livingston of Ebensburg, PA on January 28,1939.
I did not expect it to have too much content, but was quite surprised at the rather amazing quality of the material offered - Flying Eagle and Indian cents, each date in proof. Two cents complete in proof except small motto. Three cent nickels complete in proof. Three cent silver Uncirculated until 1856, after that in proof. Five cent nickels 1866-1912 complete in proof except 1867 with rays. The rest of the sale was also top quality.
My question is, do any of our readers have information on this dealer, and were all his catalogs this small size?
Martin Genkerke's American Numismatic Auctions lists twelve sales by Livingston. All but one are found in the American Numismatic Society library. Most of the sales have 20-29 pages and 500-1000 lots. The listing does not indicate the physical size of the pages. Can anyone provide measurements and/or images of Livingston catalogs? Thanks. -Editor
