Mondo Lizzie Borden

Here is the final sale prices on those six Maplecroft books that sold on eBay.

1. Loveliness Eliz S. Phelps- Owned by Lizzie Borden, 1900, no signature, but inscribed: “To Miss Borden (probably her sister Emma) and Miss L. A. Borden, from the author.” Ended June 26, 2006, 14 bids, Sold for $255.

2. V.V.s Eyes- Owned & Initialed by Lizzie Borden, 1913, inscribed: “L.A.B” on the flyleaf and is from the Borden estate of Maplecroft. Ended June 26, 2006, 8 bids, sold for $135.29.

3. Book of Inscriptions- Owned/Initialed by Lizzie Borden, the book is inscribed: “L.A.B” on the flyleaf and is from the Borden estate of Maplecroft. It has the green and gold Maplecroft sticker with the letter “B” for Borden and a small maple leaf. Ended June 29, 2006, 23 bids, sold for $519.

4. Bud- Neil Munro Owned & Initialed by Lizzie Borden 1st, the book is inscribed: “L.A.B” on the flyleaf and is from the Borden estate of Maplecroft. Ended July 1, 2006, 15 bids, sold for $338.33.

5. Nancy Stair- Elinor M Laine Owned by Lizzie Borden 1905, the book has a sticker from Ms Borden’s estate, Maplecroft. It is green with a stylized “B” for Borden and the word “Maplecroft” with a maple leaf. Above that there is a sad little quote pasted in: “There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away.” The book also has a pencil mark at a passage on page 146 that also has a corner folded over. The paragraph is about a man spoiled by his mother marrying an equally spoiled woman. The book also has a ribbon used as a book mark. Ended July 1, 2006, 23 bids, sold for $810.

6. Right off the Chest- Revell Owned by Lizzie Borden 1923, unsigned, the book has a sticker from Ms Borden’s estate, Maplecroft. It is green with a stylized “B” for Borden and the word “Maplecroft” with a maple leaf. Ended July 1, 2006, 21 bids, sold for $811.22.

While we all wait for the Maplecroft books to sell, I thought I would share with you an eBay gem.

In 2003, on eBay of course, someone sold a mantle clock that they said was from the Borden house. It was supposedly still spattered with the blood of Andrew’s murder. Here is the description, typos and all:

I bought this clock at auction over 25 years ago. There is an old label attached inside the clock written in old penmanship stating “Clock from the famous Lizzie Borden Estate after the trial in 1892. The blood spots never left.”. That’s true, as you can see from the photos’s. Their is, now pink colored, blood splatters across the face and over the top. This was the mantel clock in the living room where Lizzie killed her father with an axe. The spots will not come off and are consistent with what one can only imagine blood spewing across a room and landing on a painted china clock would look like after a hundred and eleven years. The clock itself seems to be made around the 1880`s and is 14 inches tall by 11 inches wide. There is no maker’s name and it does not work. It is in perfect shape, no damage whatsoever. I have always believed in the origin of this clock and the authenticity of the attached note but I would hesitate to say I am absolutely certain as I am no expert in this historical field. Therefore, please, if you have any questions contact me. This clock is a pretty important part to the Borden puzzle and is after all one of a kind. Thank you for viewing.

Some photos to refresh your memories:

The clock sold for $999. An interesting discussion of the item took place on the Lizzie Borden Society Forum.