Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-03-12
"PARADiSE LOST"
Incidents of the Attempted Sale Of
the Original Manuscript.

the Original Manuscript.
After all. the original manuscript OF
the first book of Millions Paradise
Lost remains unsold IL was offered
for sale under the hammer a few days
ago by Mr.. I. Hodge mt Messrs. Sothe-
by's establishment in Wellington
street. Strand. but failed TO realize the
reserve price of fIJ.0n. The historic
manuscript is the property Of Mr.. Hen
~ &. Baker of Rayfor,lbury. who was
present in the auction room. and il has
been in his family since 1872. when
II was inherited by his great great
grandfather. William Baker. from
Richard TonSon. brother of the young
er Jacob Tonson. This William Baker
was the eldest son of Sir William
Baker. VI. L. for ierts. who married
in 1872 Mary Tonson. daughter of the
younger Jacob TonSon.
Buyers from all parts OF the kingdom
and from Paris and Berlin were pres
ent yesterday. and rarely before has
the little hall contained so many not
able literary folk. At o'clock Mr..
PRODUCING the lot remarked
Il think there is nothing TO say about
this manuscript because everything
that is known has been published. Ii is
the manuscript submitted to the print
or and. no doubt. therefore. read
through 10 Milton. I am sure il is no
exaggeration Ia say that il is the most
inn ,,,t int
of view that we have ever had. and I
think this may he said Of any other
firm. Now what will you offer for il -
\ period Of silence followed as the
manuscript. Enclosed in II glass frame.
was handed round for the inspection Of
the assembly Then voice from one
corner said. Fifty pounds" This was
Dr. t;insburg. and his offer aroused
some merrment. Mr.. Hodge said he
would give tltn for il. and MIR. Snow
den, the manager of his firm. sitting on
his right Immediately doubled this fig
ure. Both gentlemen then bid against
one another. and no other person ven
turcd to interrupt the competition un-
til f3Mn was reached. when Mr..
Snowien retired. he being com
missioncd for n private individuar'
not 10 bid any higher. MIR. Ellis Of
Messrs. Elvey Il Ellis thcreupon offer
ell an extra hundred. and he soon
brought up the price against Mr. Hodge
to ti.Im The auctioneer then bid
f5.0m. rcmarking that il was not near
ly enough for 80 valuable Il possession
There was no other offer. and the ham.
mer fell seven minutes after the auc.
ton had commenced. MIR Hodge sub
sequcnt'y said. II am sorry to tell you
the hook is not sold The spectators
soon left the room. many observing that
II was good thing the manuscript was
not going Ia America.
Mr.. Hodge was hcSiegcd. however, by
a few Jealous buyers and in reply Ia
their questions he said:
II do not think the manuscript will
he offered again for auction. but II may
be sold privately. as Mr.. Baker. for
whom ! was acting. now knows its
actual value There is no truth in the
statement that Mr.. Pierpont Morgan or
any one else made us private offer Of
f5O.WW or even SECOND for IT, But l am
not surprised at this because il IL not a
treasure that would appeal 10 all mil
lionaircs. Now. IL II were gorgeously
illuminated. the ease might have been
different. and some of thcpi might have
come forward. London Telegraph.