The Battle Of Those Who Collect Them

The auction wasn't even an hour old before the first bid was made. The
very next day, an Aleister Crowley collector made his first bid, bidding
a maximum of $35 and taking the lead. The seller had noted that there
was an article on Aleister Crowley in one of the issues.

On Dec 08 at 09:22:15 PST, the Aleister Crowley collector increased his
maximum bid to $78. He still had the lead at $23.27. There was no
further bidding until the day the auction ended.

On Dec 11 at 10:03:57 PST, the Aleister Crowley collector increased his
maximum bid to $101.

On Dec 11 at 15:10:13 PST, A William Saroyan collector bid $75. The
Crowley collector was still in the lead. The seller had noted that
William Saroyan contributed two articles to these issues.

On Dec 11 at 15:10:49 PST, the William Saroyan collector bid $100. The
Crowley collector was still in the lead, but only for a few more
minutes.

On Dec 11 at 15:13:34, the William Saroyan took the lead with a maximum
bid of $107.

With less than five minutes left in the auction, the bidding stood at
$103. I had my snipe bid already set up, but I was beginning to have
doubts. How high did the William Saroyan collector bid? Should I
increase my maximum bid? Will the Aleister Crowley collector bid again?

I reviewed in my mind why I wanted these eight issues of The Book
Collector's Journal. William Targ published it. I collect William Targ.
There were no copies of the Journal listed on the web. They weren't even
listed at the LOC.

I had another reason for wanting one particular issue of this
periodical. Although the seller did not mention it, one of William
Saroyan's articles was Those Who Write Them and Those Who Collect Them.
William Targ made some extra money on this article, publishing fifty
pamphlets without Saroyan's permission. I have one of those fifty
copies. The minimum listing on the web for the unauthorized publication
is $300.

If one squinted at a photo in the seller's description, one can make out
the title on one of the periodicals: Those Who Write Them and Those Who
Collect Them. With less than three minutes to go in the auction, I was
hoping nobody squinted.

With less than two minutes to go in the auction, I prepared to pick up
the pizzas my wife had ordered for dinner. I took my flip flops off, put
my socks and shoes back on, made sure I had enough money in my wallet
for the pizza, and then, instead of jumping in my truck, I hurried back
to my library to check the outcome of the auction! To hell with the
pizzas!

On Dec 11 at 15:49:27 PST, with only eight seconds to go in the auction,
Auction Stealer made my snipe bid.

  I won the eight issues of The Book Collector's Journal for
$109.50!

http://www.tinyurl.com/yvdq

Jerry Morris,
One Who Collects Them

Welcome to Moi's Books About Books: http://www.tinyurl.com/hib7
My Sentimental Library http://www.picturetrail.com/mylibrary and
moislibrary.com http://www.tinyurl.com/hisn

Congratulations and Well Done :-)

--
Ted Leonard
te...@tconlthis.com

Notice, I've gone in search of myself. If I should show up before I return,
please keep a eye on me till I get back. Thanks!

Remove "this" to reply via email

<snip suspenseful eBay battle>

A great story, and congratulations! Had me on the edge of my seat!

Alice

>http://www.tinyurl.com/yvdq

Congrats, I'd been watching them too. I didn't know enough about them to bid
that much. Now I'm a little smarter.

Rich

Well done, sir!

Cheers,

John

Bob
Bob
Print Matters! Used & Rare Books
http://www.abebooks.com/home/printmat

On Dec 04, an ebay seller put eight issues of The Book Collector's

http://www.tinyurl.com/yvdq

What kind of pizza? :)

<snicker>

Cheers
g