One might think that well-known people—politicians, artists, writers, actors, athletes, celebrities—would recognize that their personal libraries have some market value. A book demonstrably associated with a well-known personality should be expected to fetch a higher price than an ordinary copy of the same book. Books demonstrably from celebrity libraries should carry a premium even without a particular association linking the individual to the book. Such well-known individuals could write or sign their names in their books or use a book plate, ink stamp, or blind stamp. Their heirs might thank them.
The alternative scenario is rather frustrating. To wit, a copy of Charles Saxon's cartoon collection One Man's Fancy (1977) is inscribed "To John" and "Love Bink" in the year of publication with words recalling a pleasant weekend on Eastern Long Island. But who are John and Bink? This leaves the eBay bookseller to have to explain that Bink is poet Bink Noll and that "the recipient was John V. Lindsay, according to a pencil notation in the front of the book." This all speaks to an interesting weekend in the Hamptons, but it doesn't provide much in the way of documentation beyond "To John" and the anonymous notation. That is very likely why this copy, reportedly from the library of New York City's former mayor, sold on eBay in 2016 for the lackluster price of $9.95 with just one bid. The story is plausible but the evidence is just not there in the book. One imagines that the same book with a verifiable provenance should be worth considerably more.
Fun fact: On the TV show "Batman" (1966), Gotham City's elected leader was called Mayor Linseed.
The alternative scenario is rather frustrating. To wit, a copy of Charles Saxon's cartoon collection One Man's Fancy (1977) is inscribed "To John" and "Love Bink" in the year of publication with words recalling a pleasant weekend on Eastern Long Island. But who are John and Bink? This leaves the eBay bookseller to have to explain that Bink is poet Bink Noll and that "the recipient was John V. Lindsay, according to a pencil notation in the front of the book." This all speaks to an interesting weekend in the Hamptons, but it doesn't provide much in the way of documentation beyond "To John" and the anonymous notation. That is very likely why this copy, reportedly from the library of New York City's former mayor, sold on eBay in 2016 for the lackluster price of $9.95 with just one bid. The story is plausible but the evidence is just not there in the book. One imagines that the same book with a verifiable provenance should be worth considerably more.
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| Inscribed "December 4, 1977 To John, on the occasion of adding to this one man's fancy a gorgeous weekend of long seaside walks, bicycle expeditions, great company, feasting and wine in the lovely new home at the end of Long Island. Love Bink" |
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| Charles Saxon eBay Listing Ended January 15, 2016 |
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| Charles Saxon eBay Item Description |
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| Charles Saxon eBay Bid History No competition |
Fun fact: On the TV show "Batman" (1966), Gotham City's elected leader was called Mayor Linseed.
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