Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-10-16
SALE OF NELSON'S
LIBRARY NEAR END
Final Disposition of New Jersey
Collection of Rare Books
Is Under Way.

The last of the library of William
Nelson, of Paterson, will be disposed
of at auction at the Anderson gal
leries, at Madison avenue and For
tieth Street. New York city, this aft
ernoon. The sale of :, this valuable
collection of manuscripts has created
considerable interest. MIR. Nelson at
tended the sale yesterday afternoon.
He expressed. himself as pleased.
Many of Mr.. Nelson's books are Of
the rarest in American history and
life.
In all, about eight tons Of manu-
scripts, books and other records were
taken to the Anderson galleries for
disposal. Bidding was much livelier
yesterday afternoon than at earlier
sessions, and about 400 prospective
buyers, represented by collectors,
bought An the more precious works.
The sales yesterday afternoon
amounted to about $3.50 and in the
evening to $53325, which up to date
makes the total s4,655.
While at the sale yesterday Mr..
Nelson purchased the first edition Of
the "History of the Presbytery of
Philadelphia" printed in 1888, for
500. 1t was his desire to secure this
record, which he will very likely do
nate to some institution at a later
date. About rs per cent. of the bids
have been forwarded to the auction
GERS by mail, with the names with
held. Many of these are residents Of
New Jersey.
Mr.. Nelson recited an interesting
story of himself last night, when he
explained the manner in which he
obtained complete set Of Washing
ton Irving's sketches.
Some years ago." he said, 81 hap
pened to be walking along Nassau
street, when | came across a book
store. On the outside were a num-
Der of books displayed and upon in
vestigating more closely I found that
Washington Irving's Sketch Book
was included. l could find only the
first, second, third and fourth parts,
and, as l remembered it. they cost
about ten cents each. tried to find
the other three volumes but was un-
able to. About year and half
later 1 came across book store in
Ann street, New York, and after
searching through the great mass of
old books found the missing three
dence that native of Paterson
printed these really wonderful works
of the famous author. He was Cor
nelius Simeon Van Wrinkle and was a
printer in New York between 1919 and
1920. I was surprised to find that he
was a son of Simeon Van Wrinkle, who
years ago kept country store at the
north corner of Main street and
Broadway. Paterson. ]. A. Van Win
kle, the hardware merchant, Is q
member of this family. Cornelius, the
son, it is said, caused Washington
Irving to conceive the story of RIP
Van Wrinkle" At least this is some
of the family history that has been
handed down. Cornelius went to New
York and learned the printing trade.
These volumes of Washington Irving
are a part of the books am now SELL
ing"
The most notable of books to be
disposed of at the last session TINS
afternoon are Mormon contributions
by the late Joseph Smith. These are
rare specimens of this IA
nous founder of Mormonism. His
collection of Walt Whitman's works
with other miscellaneous volumes will
also be sold this afternoon.
Among the more important books
sold yesterday and the prices they
Brought were:
Neyin (Rev. Alfred, History of
the Presbytery of Philadelphia and
of the Philadelphia Central" to Mr..
Nelson for 800.
Hamilton LADY, drawings faith
fully copied from nature at Naples,
by Frederic Rehberg, to E. Turnball
for $1160.
Newport, the, city and it's scenery,
fourteen colored plates drawn on
stone, by John Collins, to Robert
Fridenberg, for $3.50.
Yates & Moulton, History of the
State of New York" including its
original and colonial annals. i'll two
volumes, to Lowdermilk & Co., for
$3.50.
Valentine I'd. To-, Manual of the
Corporation of the City of New York
for the year 1923. to Brentano for $40.
Valentine Cd. To, New York, q
manual of the corporation of the city
of New York for the years 1886, to
Elliott for $13.
Poe Edgar Alan, Narrative of
Arthur Gordon Ppm" to c. A. Decker
for so. %. which was the highest price
paid at last nights sale.
The Paterson public library bought
a set of Johns Hopkins university
studies in historical and political
science, paying $3.50 for the books.
The scarce item, the "Chickasaw
Treaty." described as IAN attempt tC
obtain the testimony of James Jack
son, esq, to prove the connection OF
General Andrew Jackson with com
pany OF land spectators, while acting
as United States commissioner Wen
to the Library of Congress for $S.25.