The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-06-22

the metropolis. And the catalogue
conveyed the information that the
Baron Dyybunkio had been famous
European collector. who was recently
deceased. aud whose superb library
was to be disposed Of for the benefit OF
his estate. The collection. the cata.
logue assured you. had been sent to
America because the departed Baron
Drybunkio had so commanded in his
will: the baron being convinced that
there was more iiberality and apprcci-
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
EN-:
''.ss-PUCEILE u ORLEANS. LA-Magniicent
copy OF the first edition extru-:liustrafed with
the celebrated original plates. in three states,
viz. artist proof. proof before letters. and let
tered proof. in natchiess binding OF green
)eyant. hand-'oOled from I. special design, by
Tout. A unique copy. from the collection Of
the yor.d-f3mcus amateur ard co iec:or. Baron
Roihschild. This copy was one OF the hooks
contained in the Voltairc Library ut Fc-ney.
and is guaranteed by a written attestation from
NJ. Paul Lacroix. 'HibliOphie jacob The vol
rnc ,uclOsed in a special ease. bearing tho
Rothschiid ar;Cs. in perfect condition. aud .
gem"
The Drybunkio sale came of The
usual flock OF book-buycrs and book
sellers. of lambs and wolves gathered.
for the auction had been wcll-adver-
tised and generously puffed by the pa
prrs. The bookseller was there with
the rest. and among the prizes he car
ricd away was the "Puccl!c. casket
and all. I do not recall the price he
paid for it. but it was very moderate
one. Indeed. the older hands ut book
buying d Il not scruple to hint that it
and his other purchases were of the
nature of CANNON. and concerned
only books belonging to himself AMI
on whose sale a price limit had been
SET. Old Blakkelettyr, who spends all
his life ut boos-aucti0as, and is All en-
encyclopedia of book-auction lore. was
supcrabundantlv eloquent over the mat
ter.
You wait" said he. land see il he
does mt begin to work it off on some
body rs the gem of the SALE
''But why should he put it in the sale
and buy it back if it belonged to him
already9" demanded little Faddler,
whose latest rage is booh-collecting
and who is purchasing experience at
liberal prices.
why" saortcd Blakkclcttyr. why
do they send California wine Oh voy-
age across the herring-pond?"
ITO give it flavor, l suppose" said
Faddler.
Yes" gr,,nted Blakkelettyr. ''in
the mouths of tools. and TO make peo-
pie believe that it is what it isn't"
Sure enough, it was not fortnight
after the sale when came upon the
precious volume in its owners shop
window. with 4 large label announcing
that it had been the gem of the Dry
bunkio sale. where tine book seller had
purchase it from Baron RothschilEs
collection. There was Il gaping crowd
staring nj this treasure all day long. or
what is nea,er the point. staring at the
placard. When went in yesterday
to pick up French novel Or two for
Sunday reading. the book seller had
large and inpOsinS-iooking man in
corner talking to him. and the gem Of
the D.ybunkio sale between them.
"A treasure. SIR" said the book
seller; ''quite unique. l assure YOU.
How it got out of Ba: on Rothschilds
hands l can not understand"
Here followed whispers. from which
l could pick out odd patches like 'tlis-
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
well. say eleven hundred. sir.
though it leaves me very little MAJ.
GIN"
Then came more whispers and The
person went away. The
''Pucelle" was tied up before ] left.
and started on lis way up town by the
by the way" remarked the book.
seller. with a great pretense Of conf
Ilence in me, rs an old and honored
patron. '.y"u might be interested TO
know that 1 have just sold the gem of
the Drybunk;o sale to Nh. SnOb!
Rowe. the wealthy amateur and COLLEGE
tor. It's curious how such priceless
gem could get into sale in America.
isn't it,"
told him ] found it very curious in-
leed.-AJrcd TruM6'e. IN ArgonaN.
Peculiarly Of American Eyes.