Page 45 - Delcampe Collections classiques EN-006

Coins

It seems that when Robert Towns France, at the ‘C.G.B. Numisma-
gave up on the idea of a mint on tique Paris’. This institution is re-
the Isle of Pines, entrusting the cognised worldwide by numisma-
plate to his associate, the latter tists.
then passed it on to his friend Mr In turn the institution acquired
Frederic Hagen. it from its director and founder
And it was not until 1880 that Mr. ‘Mr Michel Prieur’ in about 1988,
Hagen in turn gifted the beautiful who seemingly acquired it at the
copper plate to Australia. Valkenburg trade fair in the 90s.
In return, he received 3 copies of This is one of the largest paper
the print on light paper, and James money fairs. (Information dis-
Squire Morgan, the named printer closed by the current director
(painter, draughtsman and engra- Mr Jean-Marc Dessal), the seller
ver), kept the 3 thick-paper copies. of my copy.
Thus Fred Hagen kept 1 copy and Moreover, the CGB already sold
gave the Mitchell Library NSW a copy on light paper to a private
2 copies (the ones mentioned collection in 2010 for the sum of
above). While Squire Morgan did ‘eight thousand euros’. This copy
the same, keeping 1 copy, with the apparently illustrates the Kolsky
other 2 also donated to the NSW and comes from the Danton fa-
library mily’s auction in New Caledonia in
By what twist of fate did Squire 1990.
Morgan’s remaining note resur- It is thus the 3rd note on fine pa-
face in 2021? And in yet another per from the Hagen family
twist, how did Fred Hagen’s remai- In total, that makes 6 known co-
ning note resurface in 2010? pies.
The answer to these two ques- My little story is dedicated to
tions leads to two others, as fol- all the New Caledonian
lows: numismatists, with
thanks to Mr Jean
Why are we talking about 6 co- Marc Dessal of
pies, when I have 4 of them right the CGB for his
in front of my eyes? Where are support, and
the other 2? to Jean-Pierre
The answer is simple! I am the Bressler my
proud owner of one of these co- mentor.
pies. This one is to be found in Eric Vassilev,
Nouméa, New Caledonia. 11/11/2022.
Thus the tally stands at 5 copies.
Mine is a print on thick paper.

I acquired it in 2021 at a sale in

Delcampe Magazine 45