A few auction catalogues deserve a place in all numismatic libraries. Spink's two volume set for their up-coming Ibrahim Salem paper money collection of Africa is one such.

When I picked it up at my new post office the clerk was impressed enough by its weight to comment. When I unwrapped the parcel on my desk it first appeared no more than another solid professional sale catalogue, albeit one from the hands of that Master Hunter-Gatherer, Barnaby Faul. Then I opened it. It is different. All those responsible for its compilation deserve high praise.

It is a record of the notes issued throughout Africa, country by country, as illustrated by the holdings of the comprehensive Salem collection. A summary is given for each country that provides the context surrounding the issue of its notes. And those illustrations are superb, the formatting and layout top drawer. Reading it was a fascination and a pleasure. I learned much.

I don't collect Africa and have no intention of starting but I do know that the Salem catalogue has already slotted into the shelves of my small paper money library. It sits there most comfortably. If nothing else it will be an invaluable reference work. I recommend that all numismatic bibliophiles who have not already obtained a copy do so forthwith. You will not be disappointed.

To view the online catalog, see:The Ibrahim Salem Collection of African Banknotes(www.spink.com/auction.aspx?id=13037)