Lot 199. Van Peteghem: Collection de feu M. J.-H. Tarlier, 27-28 October 1879

Time left: Bidding closed (Sunday, September 25th, 20:39:30 CEST) Current time: Thursday, April 25th, 12:36:41 CEST Price realised: CHF 15.00 (2 bids) Approx. EUR 15.32 / USD 16.43 / GBP 13.13 Bid history Amount Bidder Date CHF 15.00 Bidder 2 * 2016-09-19, 10:07:49 CHF 12.00 Bidder 1 * 2016-09-25, 20:37:14 * User names of other bidders are replaced by Bidder 1, 2, and so on. High bidder: Bidder 2

Van Peteghem, C. Paris, 27-28 October 1879. Catalogue de monnaies françaises et étrangères de la collection de feu M. J.-H. Tarlier. 853 lots. Original printed green paper covers, chipped and bent at corners. Interior Very Good.

A note from BCD: The Tarlier collection is a good example of how collections were sold in France during those years. Coins were often grouped in lots without real concern about how these lots were put together. Bronzes were not even counted, especially if they were foreign and therefore not familiar to the auctioneer. Runs of coins from specific areas were preceded with the title of the numismatic publication that dealt with these areas. In general, the cataloguer took it for granted that bidders had viewed carefully and, being well versed in their subject, knew exactly how much to bid on each lot. The catalogue was a rough guide, nothing more. Compare that with today’s detailed descriptions – as if a good photograph is not enough – and the various superlatives reserved for coins of top condition, irrespective of style and general attractiveness, not to mention rarity. Today’s cataloguer does his best to impress and at the same time educate the buyer who, generally, has very little available time to spend with his collection and therefore is susceptible to influences from external stimuli and secondhand feedback.