Thoughts on boxlot find amenities.

Discussion in 'Books' started by Average Joe, Dec 2, 2018.

  1. Average Joe

    Average Joe New Member

    1543726908229-1527990784.jpg 1543727049674-488551207.jpg Bottom of a $2 box lot.
    Personal Reminiscences of the Rebellion by L.G.B.Cannon.
    Private edition signed in presentation to Booker T Washington.
    I researched this first edition and found that it wasn't particularly rare..even as a signed work, with similar editions selling in the $70 to $100 range.
    Although the intended recipient seemed intriguing ,there was no proof that the book ever belonged to Mr. Washington.
    A little more research told me that the two men were acquaintances and that Mr. Cannon did attend an event at which Mr. Washington was speaking in the year which the book was signed.
    Also....while reading the book , I observed three penciled edits in the text. Two were simply omission of wording , but the third was a written word substitute that prompted me to do a comparison.It seems to me that this could be the edit of Mr. Washington.
    Given that...I ask for thoughts on weather or not this particular edition may be more desirable or valuabe. 20181201_225533.jpg
     
  2. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Usually it takes more examples to do a writing comparison, but in this case there is a fortunate coincidence in the words. I think the notation in your first photo was written by Cannon himself. He may have made corrections before giving out his book. I am looking specifically at the "tion" at the end of the word in the notation, and comparing it to the "ton" at the end of Washington in his inscription. The "on"s look very similar in their formation, as does the emphatic slash over the "t" trailing off to the right. I think the notation word is "operation", so you can also compare the "pe" combination there with the "pe" in "respects" in the inscription. He seems to make his "p" in 2 strokes, an upright and then a separate circle. And his "e" is very closed, just up and down.
    If you could prove that this copy was actually received by Washington, it could add to the value. But I don't think the handwriting proves it.
    Can you find out more about the estate this lot came from? And is it located somewhere where Washington lived?
     
  3. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

  4. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    The letter from @Figtree3 's post, for close comparison. Washington seems to end his "n"s on a downstroke while Cannon curls up. The "p" is quite different, too.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Average Joe

    Average Joe New Member

    In looking at a variety of examples , it seems that Washingtons handwriting varied quite a bit per circumstance.
     
  6. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

    I think that's a good thought. I searched ABEBOOKS and found multiple copies with author inscriptions where the current owner also mentions handwritten corrections.
     
  7. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    Welcome to the Forum, Average Joe! :)
     
  8. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Yes, most people's do under different circumstances and over time. But in this case I think the weight of evidence favors Cannon as the author of the notations and the inscription. It is the most likely explanation for the similarity in the handwriting. Without other evidence showing Washington's ownership of the book, I don't think you could convince anyone to pay more more the book based on that single notation.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: Thoughts boxlot
Forum Title Date
Books Any thoughts on rarity? Mar 17, 2022
Books Shakespeare book thoughts Dec 19, 2017
Books Thoughts on rebinding rare books May 3, 2016

Share This Page