Re: AIS Silent Auction - your thoughts on this please

[cemahan@aol.com]

The AIS silent auction has had at least one donation of an oriiginal Dykes The
Genus Iris in the past. It was not in the best condition but brought a little
more than $1,700.  It was about the year 2000 and I remember being surprised
because the condition was so poor.  A few years earlier I had bought a copy in
excellent condition from a bookseller for less than $1,000.

I suggest giving space to ASI to offer the item for sale in the Bulletin
rather than set a precedent of allowing cooperating societies, affiliiates or
regions to sell their items in the AIS convention silent auction.  We
initially set up the auction because AIS was broke. Dave Niswonger was
president at that time, and I remember well because it was my idea.  Making
the auction more complex is in my opinion less than wise. I am not against
change but some change is better than other change. Clarence


-----Original Message-----
From: MORRISJE1 <MORRISJE1@aol.com>
To: aisdiscuss <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
Cc: irislyn <irislyn@cox.net>
Sent: Wed, Feb 1, 2012 4:14 pm
Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] AIS Silent Auction - your thoughts on this pleaseA

I have been reading all the interesting discussion regarding The Genus
ris bequeath from Francesca Thoolen to the Aril Society International and
ould like to share some separate discussions in November I had with Lyn
ilson,  an ASI member who has been involved with Karla Garcia (Francesca's
aughter) and  Betsy Higgins.  I cut & pasted from several emails in date
equence
oldest to newest. So it looks like AIS can do this for ASI in a
on-precedent setting mode.  I find myself agreeing with Cheryl Deaton but
hink it
ot unreasonable to take a minimal commission of say 10% on such an  item.

im M.

 have some mixed thoughts on this.  I agree that  we should have a minimum
id, that the book NOT be on display, but  secured
omewhere (unfortunately we have experienced theft in many areas the  past
ew
onventions) and that it could be examined by bidders separately,  that ASI
et
n insurance rider to protect Region 15, and that an ASI member  be there to
nswer questions.  I think these special circumstances for  Silent Auction
tems should be a board decision, not the responsibility of  the Silent
uction
hair, since in some cases this could decrease the amount  of money spent on
ilent auction items (in a tough economy you chose  carefully where your
oney
oes).  As to AIS getting a percentage of the  proceeds, I am not convinced
e
eed to do this.
heryl


RANCESCA ROMEO THOOLEN
921-2011
rancesca bequeathed her copy of The Genus Iris by W. R. Dykes  to ASI for
uction with the proceeds going to ASI.  In compliance with her  wishes, The
enus Iris will be offered for Silent Auction at the 2011 AIS  Convention
n Ontario, CA.
yn, The 1974 Dover Publications unabridged  republication of the original
1913) edition is clothbound and measures 8-1/2 x  12" and is 20% smaller
han the 1913 book of 10 x 14-1/2".  What size is  the Thoolan book?  If it is
arger and in fact is an original it is of  inestimable value.  Otherwise
t is as valued on E-bay or that of the  various online book sources.  Jim M.


ynn,
his sounds like the original!  I don't know who  Betsy talked to in "AIS"
hat they weren't willing to share auction proceeds  with ASI.  It would
eem to me that such a sharing is possible and  probable.  We have shared in
he past.  The audience would certainly  be larger whether at the Silent
uction or at the Geek Dinner.  I will copy  a couple of other AIS board
members
to see what they might think is  possible.  Jim M.

ORRISJE1@aol.com wrote:
 John,
 Thanks.  That is what I thought too.  The rare book search I  just did
 shows copies for sale as follow:

 Bauman  Rare Books $2,200.00
 Johnnycake Books    $1,253.50
  Jans Collectables      $   700.00
 Three copies  of only 300 printed in 1913.>
 Jim M.>
 In a  message dated 11/8/2011 5:50:28 P.M. Central Standard Time,
  jijones@usjoneses.com writes:

 All,
 If we were to  auction it at the Geek Dinner we would of  course be
illing
 to  share the proceeds. I don't see why special arrangements  could not
e
 made for the Silent Auction as well. It is only one item to be   treated
hus.
 I can understand that, especially at the Silent Auction,  they  would not
 want to have a lot of items shared, it would be an  accounting  nightmare.

 The Silent Auction venue would  probably be better - larger  crowd than
he
 Geek Dinner.

 My copy of the Dykes is dated Cambridge  Press 1913. I have never  heard
f
 earlier editions. Mine has leather on the  spine wrapped  around about
wo
 inches into both the front and back covers. The   rest of the covers are
reen
 hardboard covered with a fabric material,  typical  of the time. I have
eard
 of, but never seen, a rigid  dust cover that the  volume can slip  into.

  John
im,
hanks so much for all your research and  work!
he terms of her will state that the book is to be  auctioned with the
roceeds to go to ASI.  I'm thinking that 10% would not  be out of compliance
ith her terms.  The Geeks hoped for 50%, and that  probably will not work.
'm not sure about the 20%, but it may be over the  amount that would satisfy
he terms of her will.  Some board members felt  10% would work.
ust a lot of questions.
hanks again,
-
yn  Wilson
---- MORRISJE1@aol.com wrote:
 Subject:  F. Thoolan's  copy of The Genus Iris for auction to  benefit ASI

  Judy,

 Do we have any set procedure for handling items at  the AIS Silent
uction
 for Sections/Cooperating Societies or is  it left to the discretion of
he
 committee?  I know we have  handled items in the past but don't know what

 portion accrued to  AIS vs the Section/Cooperating Society.

 Booksellers I  have talked to charge anywhere from 20% to 50% commission
or
   handling an item for another party.  I would think 20% would be
easonable
  for AIS to handle the mint condition copy of The Genus Iris for  the
ril
 Society International.  What do you and others  think?  I've  copied
eanne
 as our Policy chairman and  Clarence because he buys rare  books.  I
ould
 think that a  minimum bid price in the $150-$200 range  would
 be a reasonable  starting point.  I would appreciate a response from
ll.
 Thanks.

 Jim M.
  ****************************************
****************************************************************************
****************************


n a message dated 2/1/2012 8:28:49 A.M. Central Standard Time,
obertpries@embarqmail.com writes:
Debra; I  can comment on part of your requirements. Several months ago when
rancesca  died I found a person in AIS close to her residence that could
ork with her  family to rescue her Iris stuff before it was trashed. Thank
ou Ken Walker.  When it was noted that she had an original Dykes monograph I
olunteered to  advertize it on Facebook and wherever else I could get some
elp. They have  been working on getting photos so we can publicize this
ffering. People would  submit sealed bids that would be opened at the end of
he silent auction and  it would be determined if an electronic bidder had
urpassed the convention  bidders. PR and Marketing will do its best to get
ublicity of course help is  always appreciated.
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