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“The long and prolixer beard was ever a mark of gravity and wisdom in men, but a woman with a hairy chin, was saluted as a monster, by a peal of stones at her.”

– John Evelyn, Numismata

John Evelyn’s ‘Numismata’ is one of the most important 17^th-century books on numismatics, ancient coins, medals, collecting them, and identifying authentic and fakes. This 1697 first edition is illustrated with engravings of medals each with inscriptions and commentary on the figures. While the title of the works refers to both numismatics, which includes coins, the content of Evelyn’s treatise focuses primarily on medals alone.

This work though, takes a bizarre turn and covers more than just the study of medals. Evelyn writes about human physiognomy and the importance of the human face which appears on medals and coins. One rather odd section discusses the appearance of a beard on both a man and a woman!

William Fleetwood was a 17^th-century English bishop who is most remembered for his economic treaty ‘Chronicon Preciosum’. This work was written out of curiosity of financial questions that he had pondered – the value of money in years past, how much his money could purchase in the 15^th-century, changing in prices of goods, and consumer purchasing power. This work was referenced in many of Fleetwood’s sermons in which he preached on financial wellness and economics and the role of money in religion.

A rare scientific treaty on antique coins and precious metals. It contains studies of coins and methods for counting money. In addition to those studies, it includes various other works including writings on Caesar, Cicero, Hugo Grotius, and more!

Johann Friedrich Gronovius (1611 – 1671) was a German classical scholar, librarian and critic.

Henri Wallon’s ‘Saint Louis’ is one of the most thorough biographical sketches on Louis IX of France. Wallon, however, writes on more than just the life of Louis IX. He describes French architecture, numismatics, politics, military, war, along with dozens of other topics. Other topics include Louis’s interest in science and poetry, attempts at gothic art, music, and sculpture, Catholic devotion, and 13^th-century French society.

This beautiful first edition of Wallon’s ‘Saint Louis’ features an impressive collection of artworks from various artists including Paquier, Toussaint, Garcia, Hurel, Meaulle, and Soupey; nine of which are chromolithographs.

Henri Wallon’s ‘Saint Louis’ is one of the most thorough biographical sketches on Louis IX of France. Wallon, however, writes on more than just the life of Louis IX. He describes French architecture, numismatics, politics, military, war, along with dozens of other topics. Other topics include Louis’s interest in science and poetry, attempts at gothic art, music, and sculpture, Catholic devotion, and 13^th-century French society.

This beautiful first edition of Wallon’s ‘Saint Louis’ features an impressive collection of artworks from various artists including Paquier, Toussaint, Garcia, Hurel, Meaulle, and Soupey; nine of which are chromolithographs.