Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-08-08
BEN CABLE OF ROCK ISLAND.
He Has a alagnificept Library ana a
Democratic Nomination for con.

He Has a siagnificept Library ana a
Democratic Nomination for con-
gress.
Chicago Daily News.
Ben T. Gable, who has been nominated
for congress by the democrats of the tn
district, is we'll known-even famous
as a collector of rare and curious books.
He resides in Rock Island, is blessed with
a goodly store of wealth, and has found
leisure to enjoy and cultivate his taste for
books ever since his college days long ago
at Ann Aubor. He is an inveterate
traveller through America and Europe,
and is a well>known patron of all the
great book markets of Chicago. New
York, London, and Paris. where he has
standing orders for certain choice vol
unes and manuscripts as they may fall
into the hands of statesmen from time to
time.
Nr. George M. Willard. at McClurg's
book store, in speaking yesterday of MIR.
Cable, whose acquaintance he has long
enjoyed, said: II know of but one
other western man in politics who
is such passionate lover of rare
book as Mr.. Gable, and that is Senator
Wolcott, of Colorado. Mr.. Cables Ii
brary is rich ia the best editions of all the
best American authors. and is abundant
ly stocked with old prints of all the
classic British works. | think he has
aimed especially to make his collection
rich in editions of Shaksoere and in
works relating to SHAKESPEARE. He has the
working copy used by Joseph Crosby the
great Shaksperean scholar on the msI-
gins of which are thousands of pencil
markings and notes made by Mr.. Cros>
by. Indeed, | never saw set of books
used as these have been. He has also
the Boydell edition of SHAKESPEARE in nine
folio volumes, with hundred pages of
additional plates. More valuable than
this. perhaps, is his Hallowell Phillips
edition in sixteen folio Volumes pre-
cious text not accessible to many Shaks =.
perean critics and students, for the edi-
ton was limited to $50 copies. In works
relating to Japan and Japanese art Mr.
Cable has practically everything ever
published.
Somewhat more than year ago
sold him George Washington's copy of
the first American edition of Burns con-
tanning the first presidents autograph
and book plate. l considered it rarer
than the famous Kilmarnock edition.
which sells for about $500. remember
that Geo. Vanderbilt was in our store a
few days after l sold this book to Mr..
Cable, and was very much disappointed
in not being allie to get the treasure"
Mr. Willard brought forth from the
vaults of the company a recent acquisi
ton to Mr.. Cables library not yet taken
to Rock Island. 1t is great folio vol
ume, "Vita Christi, in old French, done
with "A pen on beautiful vellum. and con-
tains several hundred brilliant illumina-
tons. as clear rs though done yesterday.
The book was made and illustrated SOC
years ago, before the time of John Guten
berg. and dis plays fine specimens OF
Flemish art when at the height of Its
glory. There nre three volumes of this
Lite of Christ" the other two being
owned by the French government. This
volume was in the hands of noted Lon
don dealer and the French government
was taking measures to secure it when
| Mr.. Gable stepped in and carried of the
prize for S1.50O. 1t is probably his most
valuable book.
my impression of Mr.. Cable" sait
Mr. Willard, sis of nervous, active mar
of great enthusiasm and personal mag
| netism. He is broad-gauged in his ideas
| and is one of the kind of men that poll
| tics needs.