[Rarebooks] FS: Autographs: the snort that stopped an auction

[Kaaterskill Books]

We offer for Sale:

Benjamin, Mary A.; Benjamin, Walter R.; Jaeckel, Christopher C. THE 
COLLECTOR. A MAGAZINE FOR  AUTOGRAPH AND HISTORICAL COLLECTORS. 
1961-1999 [173 ISSUES]. New York / Hunter [NY]: Walter  R. Benjamin 
Autographs, 1961-1999. 16-24 pp. per issue. 8vo. Paper wrappers 
(paperback).  First edition.

An archive of 151 regular numbered issues (from number 731 to 1002 
with some  exclusions) and 22 omnibus issues of this magzine and 
dealer catalogue from the nation's oldest  autograph dealer company, 
begun in 1887. Over 3700 pages and 30,000 entries. Most are Mary  A. 
Benjamin's copies with her initials and copiously marked up 
concerning sales including buyers' names. All are edited by Mary A. 
Benjamin except for 1 issue from 1941 on forgeries,  edited by Walter 
Benjamin, and the 1997-1998 issues, edited by Christopher C. Jaeckel.

Mary Benjamin was the pre-eminent autograph dealer in the U.S., after 
taking over the business from  her father in 1941. The New York Times 
said of her that he had "such an authoritative eye for  authenticity 
and such a sure sense of value that for decades she virtually 
dictated prices United  States collectors paid for the writings of 
Presidents, poets and other prominent people... Her  expertise was so 
respected that once, when an auctioneer at a leading Manhattan 
gallery  announced to the assembled bidders that the next item would 
be a George Washington letter, an  audible snort of derision from 
Miss Benjamin was enough to cause the auctioneer to withdraw the 
document from the sale on the spot."

Includes 1941 (1); 1962 (5), 1963 (2), 1964 (4); 1965 (3);  1969 (3); 
1971 (1); 1974 (5); 1975 (3); 1976 (1); 1977-1978 (7); 1980-1981 
(12); 1982-1984  (16); 1985-1994 (76); 1997-1999 (9); [Numbers: 607, 
781-787, 789-795, 809-813, 819, 832-836,  838-840, 843, 855-861, 
868-879, 887-902, 906-981, 994-1002]. Plus 16 duplicates. Also 22 
omnibus issues 1961 (1&2), 1962 (1); 1969 (1&2); 1970 (1&2), 1972 
(F-2); 1973 (G-1&2); 1975  (H-1&2&3); 1976 (J-1&2); 1977 (K-1&2&3); 
1978 (L-1); 1979 (M-1&2); 1980 (N-2). Most  issues heavily marked 
with items sold crossed out, usually in pencil, and buyers' names 
often noted. Last three years as new.    [32175]  $650.00  

Regards,

Charles Kutcher
Kaaterskill Books
P. O. Box 122
East Jewett, NY 12424
email: books at kaaterskillbooks.com
phone: 518-589-0555
www.kaaterskillbooks.com
Members ABAA/ILAB/IOBA


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