Question: Lizzie's Books

[Michael]

Friends,

I recently read an article in an old "Hatchet" journal that listed the known books from Lizzie's library. Are we compiling such a list somewhere in lizzieandrewborden.com? If so, how can I access, and add to, this list? (I checked "Aftifacts" and did not see it there.)

Thanks,

Michael

[sguthmann]

Have you seen this Ebay auction purportedly for 2 of Lizzie's books?

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Books-Owned-by-Li ... dZViewItem

I'm always skeptical when I see "authentic, Lizzie-owned" items on Ebay. Any thoughts?

[Michael]

I hear you. I'm skeptical by nature. But I believe the items you see on eBay currently being auctioned are authentic for several reasons: 1) the Maplecroft seal on the books; 2) the high reserve price; 3) the dealer selling them for a client. Plus, if I was going to forge something like this, with all the risks inherent in such an endeavor, it wouldn't be a Lizzie Borden item. I would forge an Abe Lincoln or George Washington item first.

[mbhenty]

Yes Michael: All known titles of the books once in Lizzie Borden's library were printed and made known to us through an intriguing article by WILLIAM SCHLEY-ULRICH in Vol. 4 No. 1 issue of the Hatchet; with the exception of the two copies which were just listed on ebay on the ebay site given by SGUTHMANN on his post above. Those two books are in addition to the ones already realized by the public and have never been seen.

Though Lizzie had at least 200 books in her library, little is known about them and their titles. Most are in private hands, that being someone who received the books directly from the estate of Lizzie, probably as gifts, but not necessarily through her will.

The only books known to the public from Lizzie's library are at the Fall River Historical Society, the house at 92 Second Street, and a handful of private collectors.

Those private collectors all received their copies from ebay. There may be other private collectors that have books from her library but none that were sold, auctioned off or made public.

The two books listed on ebay are most likely authentic. They are from the very same seller as the group that were on last year. They were all owned by some person or family member or friend who knew Lizzie, and given to them by Lizzie and handed down over the years. The initials in the copies just listed on ebay are identical to the initials in the 2006 sale. I had those authenticated by a professional. But you are right to practice the art of skepticism sguthmann. You never know. It's all buyer beware.

But, as I have mentioned in another post. These copies of Lizzie's books are a new phenomena to the book market, so their worth is still a work in progress. As you can see the two ebay books from Lizzie's library only went as far as 610 dollars. Are they worth that? Could be. Someone was willing to pay it. Just because a couple sold last year for 800 dollars does not make they worth that. Books From Lizzie's library just have not been on the market long enough to establish a fair market level. This sale could be the first hint of a correction to their real worth. But, as time and sales develop their real worth will establish itself.

[bobarth]

William has wrote some great articles on her books like mbhenty says, so he is the man on this one!!!!!!!

I started a topic with thoughts of keeping a list also. What is correct-William helped me with. Parts that are wrong are solely mine.

Here it is:

viewtopic.php?t=2347&highlight=

[Michael]

Thanks, bobarth. I updated the list found via your link with one additional book.

[snokkums]

I wish those handful of collectors would come forward and say what books they have that were owned by Lizzie; that would be so interesting just to see what she read.