Diamonds in the Rough
- by Bruce E. McKinney
One example of the Guthman books
Such opportunities are uncommon, involve luck and always need to be seen first hand. Too, you can't very well ask the auctioneer if the item which sounds like a Gutenberg is really a Gutenberg. You have to understand what you are seeing, have the time, energy, means and space or as it was in this case partners with whom to divide the selling responsibilities. This deal is going to work out for all parties. According to Leigh Stein he'll be cataloguing material for the next six months. He says he hasn't found a Gutenberg yet but so far he's satisfied.
As to what else was up for sale in the category lot 448 an "Extensive collection of 26 volumes of official registers of the British Army including their involvement in North America in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution" brought $11,700 against an estimate $8,000 to $12,000. Lot 496 did better. Simply titled Indian Affairs it was two British 1780s documents relating to the Indians in the gray period when the United States was coming into being, the distinction between the United States and Canada was firming and the English pulling back. Estimated at $1,500 to $2,000 this lot brought $18,720.
All other book, manuscript and ephemera lots in this sale are accessible in the AED and are accessible here as a courtesy to AEM readers [link to the Guthman Sale].