Canessa, C. & E. COLLEZIONE DEL FU COMM. ENRICO CARUSO. MONETE E MEDAGLIE IN ORO: GRECHE, ROMANE, BIZANTINE, MEDIOEVALI E MODERNE, ITALIANE E ESTERE, MEDAGLIE PAPALI, ITALIANE E ESTERE. Napoli, 28 giugno 1923 e giorni seguenti. 4to, later black quarter morocco, gilt, with marbled sides; spine with four raised bands, ruled, lettered and decorated in gilt; original printed card covers bound in. (8), 104 pages; 1458 lots; fine portrait of Caruso; 64 fine phototype plates; original printed prices realized list laid in. Entirely and neatly priced and named throughout; handwritten list of bidders on blank verso of portrait plate. Fine. An important collection of gold coins formed by the celebrated Italian grand opera tenor and sold less than two years after his untimely death in 1921 at age 48. Very rare with buyers’ names recorded. Though most important for ancient and Italian coins, the sale featured 36 lots of United States and pioneer gold coins, nearly all illustrated, including several fractional California pieces. A scarce catalogue; the price list is very rarely seen. Caruso was very close to the Canessa family—so close, in fact, that his body was temporarily entombed in the Canessa mausoleum whilst his own was being constructed. For a fascinating study of the Canessa family, see Luca D’Orazi’s Canessa : Una famiglia di antiquari (2018). Clain-Stefanelli 7966. Grierson 275. Spring 96 [also listed under “Most important sales of Roman Imperial coins” and “Most important sales of Byzantine coins”]. Ex L.D. & I.P. Library.