Saved my family bible from the 1600s!

[ghopper1924]

Here it is! Back in the hands of Thomas Bolles family once again!

YAY! Congratulations!!

[mariok54]

Chills all over, head to toe!

Just what I'd expect to feel as well

[fancypants]

Wonderful fam dambly reunion , talesof !

Now it's time to start saving for a nice Lazy-Boy for the hubby ?

[talesofthesevenseas]

I'm surprised he hasn't reminded me that he doesn't like the one he has!

[greenacres]

  priorities!

[KC]

Yahoooooooooo!!!!!  Glad it made it safely!!!!!

[rockandrollrods]

Aright! You may want to use a different copy for "updates" though. This one looks a little delicate.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Right! There won't be any updates added to this one, just a separate note on acid-free paper telling how we brought it back into the family in 2013

[mariok54]

Tales,
If you ever start thinking about how much profit the seller made, then consider this. It could have been the case that a very different buyer snapped it up earlier in the year, one that wanted it for a private collection, and so it would have been lost to you and your family. Luckily the person who bought it did so with the intention of selling it on, so maybe think of the few $$$ as a finding fee 

[talesofthesevenseas]

That's a good way to think of it since I missed it the first time around. Not sure how that happened. Yes, I am feeling extremely grateful tonight that I had an opportunity to bring it back into the family. I would have been thrilled just to see this bible, but I get to be its caretaker... Wow, I'm still trying to wrap my head around that!

I spent some time with my neighbor looking closely at it under magnification. It is so cool to see the impressions of the old printing plates in the paper and to see the old style English! 

[Rauville]

Destiny fulfilled!

Have you thought of contacting the California seller to ask how they acquired it?

[talesofthesevenseas]

I already did! Here's the discussion:

Dear talesofthesevenseas,

I obtained the bible from someone who had bought about eight boxes of early books from the Reese warehouse (it is a large company with quite a few employees). The Bolles connection of this bible hadn't be noted or investigated until I noticed it. Reese had purchased literally thousands of books from Washington Cathedral and were much more concerned with the higher end items. This bible (along with various others) was found in the part of the warehouse storing Washington Cathedral material so it almost certainly originates from that source though it did not have a library card with a catalogue number attached to it. I hope that helps. I don't really have any more information to offer.

- bavarianantiquarian
   
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From: talesofthesevenseas
To: bavarianantiquarian
Subject: Re: talesofthesevenseas has sent a message
Sent Date: Sep-06-13 15:05:22 PDT

Dear bavarianantiquarian,

Hi Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!
Yes, it is back in the Bolles family once more, and will be carefully stored in an acid-free environment. If you can suggest the best way for me to go about contacting William Reese, that would be great. I really appreciate your help on this!
-Claire

- talesofthesevenseas
   


From: bavarianantiquarian
To: talesofthesevenseas
Subject: Re: talesofthesevenseas has sent a message
Sent Date: Sep-06-13 15:01:01 PDT

Dear talesofthesevenseas,


Hello, I did not buy the bible directly from Washington Cathedral Library. That library sold off their rare books collection to a partnership of William Reese and James Cummins, both prominent American dealers. This bible was then part of a largish group of books purchased from William Reese (Literature division). It is wonderful that the bible is back in the family. Do let me know if you would like any further information.

- bavarianantiquarian
   


From: talesofthesevenseas
To: bavarianantiquarian
Subject: talesofthesevenseas has sent a message
Sent Date: Sep-06-13 11:14:54 PDT

Dear bavarianantiquarian,

Hello, I recently purchased the Thomas Bolles bible that you sold last July. I was wondering if you have a copy of the receipt from Washington Cathedral Library who deaccessioned the book in 2010? If so could I get a copy to keep with the bible to record its provenance? I'm a direct descendant of Thomas Bolles, so his bible is back in the family again!
Thank-you,
Claire

- talesofthesevenseas

[fancypants]

Just a small idea for you to ponder , talesof ....

Had a collector/friend who was into 17th century & earlier books ... he passed away & there were some disputes regarding his collection ... they were resolved , due to the fact that he'd gotten a number of veterinary 'microchips' placed within the bindings of the dearest ones to him ... who'da thunk it !

[talesofthesevenseas]

What did putting in microchips resolve, since you have to take them in to be scanned it wouldn't prevent theft? I don't understand.

[fancypants]

Family members claimed that the (pricey & rare 1st editions , mostly) books belonged to them & had only been 'loaned' to my friend .

He'd made a list of said books , along with provenace photocopies & purchase details (receipts & such) , details of condition/defects & had his lawyer do the notary work .... copies to his ins agent & safe deposit box .
Seems he had some idea about the nature of his relatives' nature ?

Good for I.D. also , in the event of recovery/resurfacing from theft , which was his primary concern , I guess .