Hello Thomas,
a very nice balato! I am insanely jealous!
Hello Ariel,
first, it is a very nice and antique balato. For collectors of Indonesian weapons is the book from Albert like a bible as it is for Moro weapons the book from Cato. There will be a book for your area of collecting as well. I remember that at the forum a member bought once a weapon which was shown by Cato and he was very proud to be the new owner. Similar proud is now Thomas to own a sword (and this is a very good one) which is pictured in Alberts book.
Antique and good balatos like this one are also very expensive so it's for sure a treasure!
Regards,
Detlef