Author: C. S. Bement

Publisher:

Published: 2015-07-03

Total Pages: 170

ISBN-13: 9781440038891

Excerpt from Descriptive Catalogue of Greek Coins Soon after the manuscript, of this catalogue had reached the printer's hands Mr. Clarence S. Bement, the owner of the coins here described, became very ill and now for many months has been unable to carry further whatever plans he may have had for the development of his already splendid collection of antique coins. This interruption is most unfortunate, considering his achievements in other fields, for Mr. Bement has long been prominent in a small group of Americans who find relaxation from their occupations in the pursuit of some branch of art or science and devote no inconsiderable amount of time, money, and industry to the collection of material illustrative of the subjects that claim their interest. Their enthusiasm and their collections have done much to develop our libraries, museums, art galleries, and other agents of public education. Mr. Bement's interest in books and prints resulted in the formation of one of the noted private libraries of the country. This library was disposed of several years ago, some of, the fine volumes passing through the hands of the late Mr. Harry Widener to Harvard University, while many rare prints went into the possession of a distinguished Philadelphia jurist. It was to minerals that Mr. Bement devoted the most of his leisure and the greatest care. His collection, purchased by the late Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, is rated "the finest ever made by a private individual." Its real value is not measured so much by the more than 12,000 superior specimens as by the scientific importance given it by the discriminating care of an industrious student of the subject, who "had a comprehensive knowledge of minerals, and was one of the most discerning and intelligent collectors that ever bought minerals." It has been only a few years since Mr. Bement became interested in coins. At first this interest extended to both ancient and modern coins, but the latter, including the American series, soon ceased to be attractive, because lacking historical or artistic values. He has therefore of late concentrated his attention on Greek and Roman coins, his collections of which grew rapidly. Studious and painstaking he has built up a collection of far greater value to science than its actual cost in money, a collection which should by some means pass into public ownership. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.