The Osceola times., 1888-06-23

the metropolis And the catalocu,
conveyed the information that the
Baron Drybunkio had been a famou.
European collector. who was recent,
deceased. and whose superb library
was to be disposed of for the benefit o,
his estate. The collection, the cata.
logue assured You. had been sent tc
America because the departed Baron
Drybunkio had so commanded in his
will; the baron being convinced that
there was more liberality and appreci.
alton of such collection rs his to be
found in America than elsewhere.
Among the important objects for sale,
in the Drybunkio collection. was this
item:
"@9-PuCEILE DORLEANs LA-Magnihceni
copy OF the first edition, extra illustrated with
the celebrated original plates, in three states,
viz, artist proof. proof before letters and let.
tered proof IN n matchless binding OF green
leyant, hand-tooled from a special design, by
Tout. unique copy, from the collection OF
the world-famous amateur and collector. Baron
Rothschild. This copy was one OF the books
contained in the Voltaire Library at Ferney,
and is guaranteed by q written attestation from
M. Paul Lacroix, 'Bibiophile Jacob The vol.
ume inclosed in o special case, bearing tho
Rothschild arms, in perfect condition, and o
gem"
The Drybunkio sale came off. Tho
usual flock Of book-buyers and book
sellers. of lambs and wolves gathered.
for the auction had been wcll-sdver-
tised and generously pulled by the pa
pers. The bookseller was there with
the rest, and among the prizes he car
ried away was the "Pucelle." casket
and all. l do not recall the price he
paid for it, but it was a very moderate
one. Indeed, the older hands at book
buying did not scruple to hint that it
and his other purchases were of the
nature of CANNON, and concerned
only books belonging to himself and
on whose sale price limit had been
set. Old Blakkclcttyr, who spends al,
his life at book-auctions, and Is an en-
cyclopedia of book-auction lore. was
superabundantly eloquent over the mat
ter.
"You wait" said he. "and see II he
doesn't begin to work it off on some
body as the gem of the sale"
"But why should he put it in the sale
and buy it back if it belonged to him
already" demanded little Faddler,
whose latest rage is book-collecting
and who is purchasing experience at
liberal prices.
Why snorted Blakkelettyr, "why
do they send California wine on a voy-
age across the hcrring-pond?"
ITO give it flavor, i suppose" said
Faddler.
Yes" grunted Blakkelettyr. 'fn
the mouths Of fools, and to mako peo-
pie believe that it is what il isn't"
Sure enough, it was not n fortnight
after the sale when / came upon the
precious volume in its owners shop
window, with large label announcing
that it had been the gem of the Dry
bunkio sale, where the book k-scller had
purchased it from Baron Rothschild i
collection. There was gaping crowd
staring at this treasure Sll'day long, or
what is nearer the point, staring at the
placard. When | went in yesterday
to pick up French novel or two for
Sunday reading, the bookseller had a
large and imposing-looking man in a
corner talking to him, and the gem of
the Drybunkio sale between them
"a treasure, SIR" said the book.
seller; quite unique, assure you.
How it got out of Baron Rothschild's
hands ! can not understand. "
Here followed whispers, from which
l could pick out odd patches like dis
honest valet" probably stolen" and
the like.
"A thousand dollars, you said." re.
marked the customer.
Twelve hundred. SIR" replied the
bookseller, mildly, but firmly.
"Oh, come, now, thousand is quite
enough"
Well, say eleven hundred. sir,
though it leaves me very little mar
gin"
Then came more whispers and the
imposing person went away. The
"Pucelle" was tied up before ] left,
and started on its way up town by the
shop-boy.
by the way" remarked the book
seller, with great pretense of conf
dence in me, MS an old and honorcd
patron. 'you might be interested TO
know that | have just sold the gem of
the Drybunkio sale to Mr.. Snobhe I
Rowe, the wealthy amateur and collec-
tor It's curious how such n priceless
gem could get into sale in America,
isn't it?"
told him found il very curious in
deed. Alfred Trumble, in Argonaut
Peculiarly Of American Eyes.