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    I was curious about the reference to the book on Civil War card tables and I suspected there might be some mistake, as I have dealt in books on American decorative arts for three decades (the late Charles F. Montgomery was my mentor in this area) and never came across such a subject. The reference may have been to the Yale University Art Gallery's Card Tables in Federal America, of which there is one available at $600 on ABE, one offered by a well-known inflationist for $2993 (whose prices must be taken for a grain of salt), and 8 copies priced below the $600 mentioned.  If there is indeed a book on Civil War card table I’d like to know about it.  It does seem an odd subject given the current interest in Civil War publications coinciding with sesquicentennial events scheduled through 2015.  Such a subject conjures up disturbing pictures of the home front playing cards while the blue and grey are massacring each other in support of their cause.

 

 

     As a long time specialist in American art and an ARLIS member for three decades, I continue to be amazed at why librarians with rare duplicates to sell do not consult with or offer what they consider valuable rarities to those few antiquarian booksellers who have supported the association through membership and through exhibiting at the annual conferences, some offering travel awards (e.g. Howard Karno) and others (e.g. Ars Libri) funding memorable gala events, and who would be the ones to approach for their experience and expertise regarding the disposal of valuable rare and out-of-print material. These specialists recognize rarity (if there are ten copies on ABE, even at prices ranging from $300 to $600, all yet to be sold, it's not rare), will appreciate being offered truly valuable and saleable material, and will pay a fair price.

     Selling books is not easy, to which most booksellers will testify, and matching the customer with the right book requires years of experience which should not be the job of the librarian with other pressing tasks on his or her agenda. The occasional library sale may generate useful income if properly handled and well advertised but if books are priced too high the library will be left with much unsold material and the effort gone to naught. I myself enjoy going to library sales and as a dealer often buy much more than the average civilian. It's fun for all especially when bargains are surmised as available, and the sales provide the library with extra income as well as space for more pertinent acquisitions.

 

     Library sales are labor intensive, however, and it might be better to invite a reputable bookseller to make an offer for the entire lot rather than bother with tying up valuable personnel, time and space.

 

     The internet (mostly ABE) has raised havoc with prices and one must be cautious when trying to ascertain values on the basis of the highest price advertised.

 

     ARLIS bookseller members and affiliates should be recognized for their various contributions to the Society and should be given consideration with regard to the disposal of rare and valuable duplicate material, or a collection to be disposed of.  ARLIS members are among our best customers, and art libraries are often our best and most appreciated source of inventory. These are reasons we support the organization and continue to do so despite the emergence of the Internet, Amazon and the Antique Road show which purport to make experts of us all.

 

Raymond Smith

R.W. Smith Bookseller

New Haven

 

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