Re: AIS Silent Auction - your thoughts on this please

[don.rude@comcast.net]

There is wisdom in what you say. 


----- Original Message -----
From: cemahan@aol.com 
To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org 
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 9:15:00 PM 
Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] AIS Silent Auction - your thoughts on this please 

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. 
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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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