Gwynne and Day (1859)
Book Summary
Gwynne and Day, Bankers. THE DESCRIPTIVE REGISTER OF GENUINE BANK NOTES, FOR THE DETECTION OF SPURIOUS AND ALTERED BILLS... New York, 1859. First edition. 4to, original intricately blindstamped brown cloth, gilt; spine professionally rebacked in brown cloth. 142, (6) pages, including single-page Supplement bound in following the main work. Some spotting and discoloration to binding; minor browning. Near fine. The first edition of John A. Gwynne and Clarence S. Day's useful work describing genuine notes issued by over 1400 different banks. Usually encountered in well-worn condition, this copy is above average. The seemingly endless title sums up the book's aims as follows: "Containing Accurate, Elaborate and Plain Descriptions of the Notes Issued by Every Bank in the United States and Canada, Conveniently Arranged for Reference, Prepared under the Supervision of the Publishers, Who Acknowledge Their Indebtedness to the Several Firms Now Comprising the American Bank Note Company for Much Valuable Information." Quite scarce, though the rarity of subsequent editions makes this one appear deceptively available. The various Supplements issued for these works are bibliographically complex. Clain-Stefanelli 13627. Dillistin 148. McKerchar 2076. Ex Kolbe & Fanning Sale 128, lot 1023.
