Medals
"Medals and Medallions Relating to Architects" the Eidlitz Limited Edition Only 150 Copies Illustrated with 125 Plates
1927-Dated, First Edition Book titled "Medals and Medallions Relating to Architects", by Robert James Eidlitz, Privately Printed, USA, Very Fine.
A massive volume that measures 16" x 12" and over 2" thick. Because the printing was a Limited Edition of only 150 copies (this being No. 65), it is an extremely rare volume of which many numismatists and medal collectors are not even aware. Original cloth backed boards with single gilt rule, central gilt medallion to front cover, spine titled in gilt. Includes 190 pages listing 1,145 different medals, many from the personal collection of Eidlitz himself. Illustrated with 125 photogravure plates, including many obverses and reverses. The only flaw in this book, and it is a small one, is that the plates are not presented in numerical order, thus it might take some time to find individual images because they are scattered about. The front cover is darkened with pale spotting and faint scuffs, the corners been lightly rubbed, the front end papers have been marked with ink or adhesive ghosting, and the fore edge and gutter are slightly damp stained, not affecting the text. This is a most important work for medal collectors of all stripes.
It includes few surprises: Augustus Saint-Gaudens -- a name very familiar to numismatists -- is listed as the engraver of several medals, appears in the text and plates. Thomas Jefferson is listed because he was a student of architecture (he did design and build Monticello, after all) and several medallic portraits of him, including Indian Peace Medals, are included.