Finn issued 18 detailed lists and together they are a useful reference. A memorial list (No.19) is currently available. In passing it is worth noting that his widow had a fine selection of British medieval coins at the COINEX Fair on October 5-6.
This section of the Baldwin sale catalogue will serve as a useful price guide to books on the British medieval series. A set of the still very useful R.C. Lockett sale catalogues at Glendining (1955-61) with prices realised and bound in two half-leather volumes was a bargain at the low estimate of £150. A very rare silver double ‘pest-thaler’ (c.1537) with designs based on engravings by Albrecht Dürer that was estimated at £400-500 made £550.
The failure rate by lots offered was normal at 14.25 per cent. This is about what we have come to expect of a general sale. However, the impression seems to be that this figure has risen slightly over the last year or so. This is perhaps because of a shortage of material. After all, if the item is speculative enough why not give it a whirl? In a catalogue where the lots are measured in thousands the cost of failure to the auctioneer is hardly significant and a shortage of material does not motivate him to argue too much with an optimistic or even greedy vendor.
Pest is a blessing in disguise
Of greater general interest was Baldwin’s sale of Ancient and Modern coins that occupied October 9. There were 1403 lots looking for a new owner. This included the 322 lots devoted to the working library of the late Patrick Finn.
