This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/25/2024
[AUSTIN, Benjamin W., collector]. Collection of Nearly 109 Signed Letters, Franks, Photos, or Signatures from the Collection of this Controversial Collector. [V.p., ca. 1800s]. A large collection, mounted onto the leaves of a scrapbook, all collected by Austin. Sizes range from approximately 1 ¼ x 4 ¼ to 10 ½ x 8 ¼”. Scrapbook is full red cloth over beveled boards, brown gilt morocco lettering label (approximately 16 x 10 ½”). Most pages with clippings of brief biographical information of the subjects mounted onto their respective leaves (binding worn, soiled, some toning, creasing, wear to the autograph items). Very good. Austin was famous (or infamous) for his somewhat underhanded method of obtaining autographs from notables of the 19th century, and his methods were controversial even during his lifetime. Austin would send letters to his “targets,” telling them that they were being honored with memberships in non-existent scholarly societies (such as the “Northwestern Literary and Historical Society” or the “Trinity Historical Society in Texas”) and they would respond with signed items. Austin collected physicians and other professionals, which makes up the bulk of this lot. Austin also collected autographs from notables in Liberia, but these are not represented here.