A MUCH-PRIZED BOOK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 110, 30 June 1911, Page 8

A MUCH-PRIZED BOOK.

ten thousand founds for a BJ BLE. The sale of the Hoe Library began in New York on April 21, whoa, in the presence of a highly representativecompany of book-lovers and collectors,, a superb copy of the most prized book in the world‘brought the highest price over paid for a single volume. “The Times' 5 correspondent snys:—“Wlion Mr. Sidney Hodgson, of London, asked for bids lor a Gutenberg Bible there was a thrill of expectation among the assembly. The first bid of JU,Ubulol. (£2ooo)‘by Mr. George Smith, book dealer, was greeted with a ripple of applause. Tnc second bid was id,ooo dol. by Mr. Bernard Quaritch, for the British Museum. ’lire third was 20,000d01. bv Mr. F. A. Valentino. The fourth was 21,000d01. by Air. Widener, the .purchaser of Rembrandt’s ‘Mill.’ Thereafter the bids increased by lOOOdol. at a time., At 80,000dol Mr. Quaritch withdrew, and at -iOjOOOdol. only Mr. Smith and Mr. Widener remained. Mr. Widener finally bid 49,000d01., to which Mr. ‘Smith promptly responded witli 50,000 dol. (£io,ooo).‘ Mr. Widener remained silent, and the auctioneer’s gavel fell. There was a great outburst of cheering, and in reply to questions as to who was the purchaser Mr. Hodgson replied that Mr. Smith had purchased the Bible for Mr. Homy E. Huntington, nephew of the late Gollis F. Huntington. The fact that the book will remain in America causes much gratfication.”