A collection of 43 letters sent to Canadian numismatic pioneer Robert McLachlan sold June 15 for US$550 (about $755) at Kolbe & Fanning’s Sale 170. Lot 217 included many letters from J.W. Bastow, a self-described “British Canadian” and author of articles on Mexican coinage published in the American Journal of Numismatics. The letters, dated between 1884 and 1898, were mostly signed by Bastow.
McLachlan, a Montreal resident, was well-known for his extensive publications on pre-Canadian Confederation coins, tokens and medals. Manuscripts written by McLachlan in Lots 218, 220, and 221 did not receive opening bids.
Another highlight of the sale was Lot 234, featuring the original first series of the Canadian Antiquarian and Numismatic Journal – volumes 1 to 12, published by the renowned Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal. With a pre-sale estimate of $500 US, the lot sold for $425 US (about $584).
For more details, visit numislit.com.