B247.  Japanese Swords and Sword Fittings from the Collection of Dr. Walter A. Compton, Parts I, II, & III, by Christie’s.  1992.  Softbound with dustjackets, prices realized included, 8 ¼ x 11 ¾”, 440, 245, & 130 pages in English, 971 lots.  Dr. Compton had the most impressive collection of Nihonto in private hands outside of Japan, and there can’t be more than a few in Japan to rival it.  In 1992 Christie’s Auction House in New York sold the collection in 3 sales; these are the sale catalogs.  Many of the swords and mountings had Juyo and Tokubetsu Juyo papers from the NBTHK; the quality and importance of the items was impressive.  Swords are shown in black & white; kodogu in catalog 1 are shown in color and mostly black & white in catalogs 2 & 3.  Almost every item is thoroughly described and well illustrated.  Each catalog has an index, glossary, and bibliography.