Contains 17 papers on the history of engraved gems (including both intaglios and cameos) from ancient Greece through the nineteenth century. They address the influence of Greek and Roman gems on postclassical painters, sculptors and gem engravers as well as the collecting of gems in the Middle Ages, Renaissance and later periods.

This book discusses theories of monetary and financial innovation and applies them to key monetary and financial innovations in history – starting with the use of silver bars in Mesopotamia and ending with the emergence of the Eurodollar market in London. The key monetary innovations are coinage (Asia minor, China, India), the payment of interest on loans, the bill of exchange and deposit banking (Venice, Antwerp, Amsterdam, London). The main financial innovation is the emergence of bond markets (also starting in Venice). Episodes of innovation are contrasted with relatively stagnant environments (the Persian Empire, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Empire). The comparisons suggest that small, open and competing jurisdictions have been more innovative than large empires – as has been suggested by David Hume in 1742.

Child of materialism and positivism, Courbet was without a doubt one of the most complex painters of the nineteenth century. Symbolising the rejection of traditions, Courbet did not hesitate to confront the public with the truth by liberating painting of conventional rules. He became from then on the leader of pictorial realism.

Vol. for include list of members.

"The peculiarly splendid portrait coinages of the Hellenistic monarchs are deservedly becoming more and more popular with collectors of ancient coins. These issues possess one outstanding characteristic which no autonomous coinage can hope to rival, and which renders the former of the utmost interest and importance to collectors, archaeologists and historians. They present us with an extraordinary series of living portraits--portraits of a quality such as only a Greek artist could produce. These men and women, be they famous or obscure, or even quite unknown to history, live again before our very eyes. Their several characters, their greatness and their foibles, grow tangible and real to us once more...This little book has not been produced with the advanced student or collector in mind; nor does it make any pretense at completeness. It is primarily intended to call the attention of collectors in general to the fascinating portrait coinages of the ancience kings"--