De Chaudoir, Baron S. Aperçu Sur Les Monnaies Russes et Sur Les Monnaies Etrangeres qui Ont Eu Cours en Russie. St Petersbourg, 1836. The first text and plates volume only – the second text volume sadly absent. Octavo, pp. 266, (2); 23, (1), 23 + 58 engraved tables and plates of coins, some folding. The first general guide to Russian coins. Infrequently encountered with the second volume of text which is unfortunate as it is this volume which provides the descriptions of the coins themselves.

Volume one gives a comprehensive history of the Russian monetary system as well as an extensive bibliography whilst the plates, quite apart from being copious in number, are all beautifully executed and are accompanied by tables of metal production and mintages etc. In the original printed wrappers, unopened and uncut. Extremities a little worn, spines sadly chipped but contents surprisingly bright and fresh. The classic reference, important and rare. Clain-Stefanelli 11138*

SCHUBERT'S RARE WORK ON RUSSIAN COINS WITH SUMPTUOUSLY PRODUCED EMBOSSED PLATES. Schubert, T. F. de. Monnayes Russes des Derniers Trois Siècles, Depuis le Czar Joan Wasiliewicz Groznyi Jusqu’à L’Wmpereur Alexandre II. 1547-1855. Leipzig, 1857. Plate atlas volume only. Oblong folio, title printed in gilt against blue background, engraved plate of edge designs and legends, 36 superbly executed embossed colour plates illustrating the obverse and reverse of over 1000 coins, all coloured with metallic tints. Bound in black half morocco boards, ruled and lettered in gilt, five raised bands, marbled endpapers. Some wear to extremities but overall a fine copy of this sumptuously produced work. A rare and desirable volume.

Ernst Shäfer (later Moritz Shäfer) was the most prolific publisher and producer of high quality embossed coin books. The coin images are universally bright, crisp and are astonishingly fine reproductions of actual coins. The plates in this copy are no exception and fortunately are also in an excellent state of preservation. Randolph Zander, in the Russian Numismatic Journal wrote that, “A striking if not altogether practical feature of the 1857 catalogue is the bound atlas… On the plates are 2144 embossed images showing the obverse and reverse of the 1072 major numbered types in the catalogue.

The embossed images in relief were produced on Congreve’s Press by means of clichés taken from galvano copies of the coins, many taken from collections other than Schubert’s in order to ensure the best example of each type. Bringing these together was a major undertaking in itself. The method of illustration, of which Schubert’s atlas was one of the early examples, had a certain vogue at the time… Given Schubert’s exacting methods of choice of specimens for illustration, the overall visual effect of each folio page of excellently embossed and metal coloured illustrations is impressive indeed… But if the coins suffer from cabinet friction, think of the havoc wrought by ‘page friction’ if the plates get much earnest consultation!’ Clain-Stefanelli 11191*