B804.  Japanese Swords and Sword Fittings from the Collection of Dr. Walter A. Compton (Part I)  Christie’s Auction, 1992.  Softbound with a dust jacket, 8 1/4 x 11 3/4″, about 440 pages.  Dr. Compton had the best collection of Nihonto in private hands outside of Japan; the sale of the collection in 3 auctions in 1992 was an important event for collectors around the world.  The 1st sale, the one this book belongs to, was by far the major auction.  399 lots of swords, fittings, koshirae, armor, and matchlocks: all fine and some exceptional.  Records for prices realized for both blades and fittings were broken during this sale.

I have also the 2 other sale catalogs and all 3 in one lot. Search the site for Compton.

Because the book was too big for the binding chosen, many copies of the 1st Compton auction have broken spines and loose pages. This copy is still intact and will stay that way if you are careful with it (don’t open it flat on a table top). The dust jacket is a bit frazzled at the top on its spine; otherwise condition is fine.  4 pounds, 13 ounces. $105.