New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-08
MRS. A. B. BL0DGETT DIES.
HER BIG BOOK DEALS.
Son Brings Suit against Dealers to
Set aside Contracts.

Mrs. Abby Blake Blodgett, whose extensive
/ contracts for expensive books led to suits
against several New-York book dealers last
spring. after she had been declared to be men,
tally incompetent, died yesterday at her sum-
mer home Brooklands, at Fishkill-on-the-
Hudson She eighty-six years old, and the
widow of William T. Blodgett. Her funeral will
take place this afternoon at Fishkill, and the
burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.
The suit against the book firms brought
by her son. William Tilden Blodgett to rescind
contracts to the amount of S2J0OOO for books
entered into by Mrs. Blodgett. 1t was alleged
that she mentally incompetent when the
deals made.
On April "a a commission consisting of Alfred
Lauterbach. Edwin Tracy Greaves and Dr. Jo-
seph Wheewright. declared. after a searching
Investigation. that Mrs. Blodsett incompe-
tent. and her appointed committee in
charge OF her person and estate. Soon after he
took charge of his mothers affairs Mr.. Blodgett
learned of certain extensive book contracts
which his mother had entered into. and which.
he said. practically involved her entire fortune.
AS previous to these transactions Mrs. Blodgett
had never evinced love for rare books. Mr..
Blodgett was at a loss to account for her sud-
den desire for the costly editions specified in
the contracts. and concluded that in her mental
Incompetence she had been Influenced by the
dealers.
Mr.. Blodgett asked in his suit that the dealers
be forced to refund all the money which had
been paid account. with interest from date
Of payments and that all outstanding notes be
resCinded. in return for which the Blodgett es-
tate would give up all equity in the books.
Among the sets involved are complete set of
Dickens 130 volumes, at $1,000 a volume:
HalliW ellis edition of Shakespeare, enlarged by
the insertion of illustrative plates: a set of
Boydels Shakespeare Gallery" for which Mrs.
Blodgett agreed to pay $4,000; an edition of a
work on Napoleon 1. in twenty-one volumes. at
$4,000. and set OF rare books from the private
library Of George J. Wills. No. 162 West Eighty
first-st said TO have been sold to Mrs. Blodgett
through agent. Mr.. Blodgett filed an aff1-
davit Of George H. Richmond. expert on rare
books. to the effect that Mrs. Blodgett was over
charged greatly in these purchases
Ambrose B. Tremaine. attorney for Robert E.
Newbegin one OF the dealers named in the COM
plants said that this charge Of Mr.. Richmond
was unfounded and declared that he had am
davits OF other experts to the effect that the
set OF "Boydells Shakespeare Gallery" could not
be duplicated at any price and worth every
cent OF the $4,000 which Mrs Blodgett
paid for them. He said that this set consist
ed OF one hundred steel plates folio size. which
had been prepared from the works of special
painters and etchers engaged by Boydell from
1890 TO 1904 TO work on Shakespearian subjects.
More than 100000 was spent on the under
taking, and resulted in Boydell going into hank
ruptcy. Mr.. Tremaine also said that the halli-
we'll edition of Shakespeare, which Mr.. New
begin sold TO Mrs. Blodgett was printed In 1855
in one hundred and fifty sets. II was originally
in seventeen volumes. bu: Mrs. Blodgetts set
double that size, being enriched by more
thar three thousand old engravings. proof
plates and etchngs. besides many water color
illustrations which were especially painted for
the set.
Mrs. Bodgetts fortune amounted to $4,000
OF which S215 900 was personal. Her husband
William T. Blodgett. at the time of his death,
twenty-five years ago. we'll known New
York merchant.
Counsel for Mr.. Wills has said that his client
doubtless would be willing TO take back the
books an agent sold for him to Mrs Bodgett IL
sufficient cause shown.