A unique and exceptional item.
Texts and tables of Ignacy Zagorski's original work "Coins of Old Poland", published in Warsaw, in 1845, bound in separate volumes, in a special way: with dilatations (dividers) giving the possibility to put your own descriptions, annotations, pastes, etc.
Here, in both volumes, these spaces have been laboriously and extensively filled with both entries and numerous paste-ins, creating an incredibly extensive and rich catalog.
In the plates, on the pages next to the coins, transcribed by hand, in pen, their abbreviated descriptions from the catalog section. Expanding descriptions added in pencil, and in red crayon underlined presumably owned items. Stamped "Falsum" on plates marked with classified forgeries (mainly Majnert). Next to the engravings the letter "C" and annotation of the number and rarity in pen is a reference to Czapski's catalog.
Impressivein the texts are numerous pastedowns, which are cut-outs of photographs, reproductions or catalog cuttings, as well as sometimes rubbings. On the pre-title page, handwritten annotations read, among other things, that: "1/12 1930 there were 1,300 engravings of coins doctored" and signed with initials CW (Chomiński Wiktor). It continues, "The coins, the engravings of which are affixed here bear the monogram CW /green ink/ come from the collection of Wiktor Chomiński / auction catalog No. 94 - company L. Hamburger Frankfurt n/M 9/5 1932".
Both volumes in working cloth binding, only with gilt leather signboards on the spine. Bindings with clear traces of use, both rubbing on edges and numerous soiling or stains. Nevertheless, technically fulfilling their function and, in our opinion, not in need of restoration, above all so as not to lose the original character of the whole.
The interiors are preserved in very good condition.
Volume of texts with stamp of origin from "KSIĘGARNIA HENRYKA HURTIG w KALISZU". In the Tables on the title page only the signature at the bottom "Borkowski", and in its upper right corner the ownership stamp of Wiktor Chominski (stylized monogram WC under a five-ball crown). We did not notice a dry seal in the Texts volume.
The outer dimensions of the individual volumes are: the larger Texts 280 x 225 mm and the smaller Tables 240 x 190 mm.
A unique item showing the history of building one of the largest, Polish numismatic collections.
An item that does not need to be recommended - every Polish numismatist is aware of its rank.
