Bidspirit auction | Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda

Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda - Marcas de Contrastes e Ourives Portugueses 2 Vols - Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda, 1974. Published in 1974 in Lisbon, under the official imprint of the Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda. This is the same acclaimed, monumental and indispensable reference work for national goldsmithing, entitled ”Marcas de Contrastes e Ourives Portugueses: Desde o Século XV a 1950” (Marks of Contrasts and Portuguese Goldsmiths: From the 15th Century to 1950), authored by the prestigious expert Manuel Gonçalves Vidal, enriched with the celebrated and erudite preface by the art historian Reynaldo dos Santos. The publication is presented complete in its edition in two autonomous volumes (Volume I: 15th Century to 1887, with XIV + 351 + (3) pages; Volume II: 1887 to 1950, with 425 + (3) pages), being profusely illustrated in the text with exact reproductions of thousands of punches and heraldic marks through rigorous technical drawings. As Reynaldo dos Santos points out in his introductory pages, this work constitutes the ”(...) inventory, so long desired, both by amateurs and collectors of artistic silverware and by the goldsmithing professionals themselves”. The copies, in quarto format, are presented in their original paperback format with the editorial cardboard covers entirely preserved in very good condition. The interiors are extraordinarily clear and contain the valuable hallmark tables in impeccable graphic freshness. An indispensable and highly sought-after piece in the precious metals collecting market.