The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-05-01
Interesting Scenes at Auction
Where H. E. Huntington
Outbid Widener.
EXPERTS CROWD ROOM
Morgan s Librarian Leaves After
Losing Battle for the DE
Civitate Del.

NEW YORK April 3o.-Gutenberg' s
Bible. superb Impression from the
types of the father of printing. one Of the
seven yelum volumes OF its kind in the
world. was bought for $4,000 last week
by Henry f.. Huntington Of California
al the sale of the library OF the late
Robert Hoe.
This is The highest price ever paid for
any printed volume in the history OF man,
and Is prs ctically double the sum which
stands next 10 IT, the s2f. 700 which ].
Jierpont Morgan gave for the psalter
from the same press.
The sale OF the Gutenberg Bible. which
is ir two ponderous pigskin volumes. was
finally resolved Itself into a duel Of thou
sands between Joseph f. Widcner OF
Philadelphia and Mr.. Huntington. who
was represented by George D. Smith, q
dealer Of this city.
There was an old world romance here
about this sale which had brought from
| over the seas the great dealers Of Eng
land and the continent and the selling,
under the auspices OF the Anderson Auc-
lion company. partook much or tho ma
ture of that accustomed 10 be seen in
the English marts
Many Notables Present.
The large gallery on the top floor OF
the former residence Of Charles Hyde,
al the northwest corner Of Madison ave
nue. and Fortieth street, was filled with
representatives OF the social and intel
lectual forces Of the country. Men and
women OF the world OF fashion. biglio-
philes, college professors. curators of mu-
seums. collectors and afateurs filled the
auditorium on this. the first night of a
sale which. although IL had to do with
time worn tones. was as interesting and
entertaining as though there were being
enacted the comedy human itself on the
small stnge on which the books were Of
fered
Hero were the top lights. the drawn
curtains. the suctioneer. Mr.. Sidney
Hodgson:. speaking in modulated tones
seemed like the .prompter. and the bid
ders here and there. the actors Of the
drama, with the spectators as chorus.
Auction Like Drama.
The auctioneer. refined and scholarly.
knowing every phase of the work in
which he was engaged, with his often
in himself a revelation. for his meth
DDS are entirely new and Individual
The book which Immediately preceded
pTeneS hs soaT se Roe oecs dapS Works s o
Charles Bey.'' brought only s25, and by
some miscalculatlon the Gutenberg Bible
was brought on in the place OF this un-
offered s. for this volume?" The smiles
OF the audience caused him to turn Just
moved When the Bible next appeared
the first bid was 500. which was instant
" lost in an offer of $4,000. made in a
clear. strong voice.
Bids Jumped by Thousands.
Then came the struggle for, the posses
sion Of one Of the most valuable works in
the world. copy of a hook OF the first
edition which ever came from the print
ing press. Even as the pages were ex-
posed on the stage the clean, clear I'M
preston OF the type could be observed and
the illumination of the capitals Of the
chapters was revealed as the pages were
swiftly turned by an attendant;
IN f--t
The contenders were Dodd & Living
ston of this city; Bernard Quartrich Of
London, who sold the Bible to Mr.. Hoe
ago; George D. Smith. representing Mr..
Huntington. and Joseph f. Widener, be
lieved to represent his father. p. A. 3.
Widener of Philadelphia,
Fifteen thousand dollars came from
the front row. where the dealers were.
Twenty thousand" called Mr.. Smith.
BY thousands the figures. rose.
! s3I 900 and at $4,000 the veteran Quar-
itch folded up his catalogue and said no
| moro.
| Messrs. Smith and Widener continued
| with alternating thousands until they
reached $4,000. when they began to split
the figures. Mr. Widener putting in a
$4,000 and thousand by thousand the Of
fers rose to $4,000. AT last Mr.. Smith
/ offered $4,000. Hr Widener was silent
and the hammer fell.
| 6riClBnerS Wondef.
The spectators applauded with great
vigor. an action which caused the Eng
| ish dealers and the English assistants
to stare perplexedy about them and one
to say In an aside. How very strange,
don't you know"
WHO got it?" came calls from all parts
OF the house, as the auctioneer was about
TO pass on TO some little red book
| Announcement was then made that Mr.,
| Huntington was the purchaser. Only a
few weeks ago he paid $4,000 900 for the
| church library.
| The volume next In price was 'sThe
! Book OF ST. Adams" the first English
book IN which printing was used and
one OF the two perfect copies In existence.
| II was sold for 1900 TO Mr.. Smith.
| who. II is understood. was also represent
\ ing Mr., Huntington In the transaction.
| Henry e. Widencr tried conclusions with
Mr.. Smith up to $11 900 for this splendid
volume