Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Smith, R.A., and others (eds), Catalogue of the Montague Guest Collection of Badges, Tokens and Passes, London, 1930, viii + 206pp, 8 plates (Manville 895). Publishers’ blue cloth; first free endpaper inscribed ‘Presented by the Trustees of the British Museum by the desire of the late Montague Guest Esq, July 1930’ in the hand of A.W. Waters; card from Montague Guest to Waters, dated 16 December 1898, in affixed holder; title page with letter from Montague Guest to Waters, dated 20 March 1901, partly pasted-down; light foxing and plate VII loose, otherwise a fine copy and rare by association; Index by David Young, 2004, tipped-in £80-£100

Provenance: Ex libris Arthur Waters, Leamington Spa, with his bookplate and complimentary card from the Director of the British Museum; Paul Munro Walker, Bournemouth; DNW Auction T5, 8 November 2007, lot 265.

Both communications from Montague Guest are from his residence at 3 Savile row, London. In 1898 he wrote: “Dear Sir, I am informed that you are associated with Mr Davis of Moseley in preparing a book on passes. Mr Davis has seen all that I have been able to show him, but as I hear that you live in London it wd be a gt privilege to me to be allowed to make yr acquaintance & have a talk upon the subject – as I am told you have made it a study of yours & that you have a magnificent collection of yr own. Will you pardon me for taking the liberty of writing you.” In 1901 he wrote: “Dear Mr Waters, Mr Davis was here the other day & was looking over my passes. He told me that you had 2 Vauxhalls, and I am anxious to learn if there is any chance of my being able to persuade you to part with them to me. I should like very much to add them to those I have already got? Have you been finding any thing else since I last saw you – it is a long time ago now & I feel sure that such a successful explorer as you are, must have found some other treasures in the time wh has elapsed.”

Montague Guest (1839-1909) spent over 40 years amassing his eclectic collection, which was presented to the British Museum in 1907 on condition that a catalogue of it was published. A favourite of Edward VII, Guest was a prominent mover in Dorset society, representing Wareham as Liberal-Unionist MP, and from 1877 to 1902 he was provincial grand master of Dorset Freemasons. He died at Sandringham and is buried at Canford