Some reference books are simply indispensable no matter how old they are.
And even in an era where the internet has made searching for information so simple, yet certain reference books are still irreplaceable.
Among them is a numismatic reference book which has been with us for almost 30 years.
Yet, it is still as useful as it was when we first bought it.
A hard cover copy 1st edition printed in 1978, the “Pictorial Guide To Grading Of Malaysian Coins and Bank Notes,” compiled by Saran Singh, a Malaysia Numismatic Society Publication, Kuala Lumpur.
Fig.1 The “Pictorial Guide To Grading Of Malaysian Coins and Bank Notes,” compiled by Saran Singh, a Malaysia Numismatic Society Publication, Kuala Lumpur, 1st edition 1978, hard cover.
Among the contents in the book, are guides to grading of coins and bank notes with clear black and white illustrations of a wide range of Malaysia coins and bank notes.
And with important notes on cleaning of coins and improving bank notes, preservation of coins and bank notes, mint marks and engravers’ initials on Malaysian coins and common numismatic terms.
Wonder whether this book is still available in the market?
We strongly recommend it to collectors of Malaysian numismatics if it is still available.
Never seen this book before. One of the reasons why I love to go to Amcorp mall is I can buy old books over there. Wish I can collect all bools by Saran Singh one day.
ReplyDeleteHi lunaticg,
ReplyDeleteThese type of reference books serve a dual purpose.
As a good source of references and reminders of our initial indulgence into the hobby.
And as time passed, they become part of the collection too.
Even though some have been with us for ages, they never seem to outlive their usefulness.
Yes, it will be a great idea if we can have a collection of Mr. Saran's books.
By the way, wonder anyone could let us know the list of books written by him?
Thanks a lot, lunaticg.
Like your new blog on bank notes.
One stop center, haha.
Please keep up with the good work.
Cheers :)
Dear Whycollect and Lunaticg,
ReplyDeletePretty sure Mr.Saran Sigh got no more extra of this copy!
I had seen a copy in his house and was told that that is his last copy.He allowed me to photo copy if I need it,but I still try to find an original copy!
I will try my best to ask him to compile a list of books written by him.Beside the numismatic books,his also published books on Silk Temples!
And see who will be the first to collect the full set of his book!I can help you to get his authorgraph!Haha!
Hi Dickson,
ReplyDeleteMr.Saran has really contributed a lot to Malaysian numismatic.
He has our greatest respect.
Yes, we especially like this book because it is a hard copy and 1st edition.
Hehe, we are not ashamed to admit that we are good collectors of anything collectible.
And thats the reason this book is so well presevered even when it is already more than 30 years old.
Back in those days, it was really not easy to seek expert guidance on hobbies.
So we have to depend a lot on reference books.
Thanks a lot for sharing your wonderful experience, Dickson :)
I had seen a list of books by Saran Singh posted by someone some where before but I forget the place/blog (not a Malaysian). Will inform you if I found it again. That guy selling coin collecting books online.
ReplyDeleteHi lunaticg,
ReplyDeleteWow, thats great.
These reference books themselves have become collectibles.
Thanking you in advance, lunaticg :)
Yesternight I spoke to Mr.Saran Singh.He agreed to list down all his books that authored by him within a few days.He asked me to go to his house to view his own collections of his own written books.I will take this opportunity to take photo of each issue.
ReplyDeleteHe told me his first edition of THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF THE COINS OF MALAYSIA SINGAPORE AND BRUNEI 1400-1967.was sold on internet for RM550.00 recently.
He granted me his permission to allow me to take over the projet of reprint his books,but is too big task for me!
Hope to get Mr.Saran's book list soonest!
Happy week end!
Hi Dickson,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, our sincere thanks to you and especially Mr Saran Singh for being so kind to get the list of the reference books for us.
Yes, photos will be a great help for us to use as guides while looking for them.
RM550 for the book?
Hehe, not a surprise to us.
A look at this auction site would have given us a better picture.
http://ichengxuan.com/subactivity/344/page26/
Haha, no play play with these books eh.
They themselves are just as valuable as the collectibles, haha.
Thanks so much again, Dickson.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful weekend too :)