A Nashville woman was astounded by the value of her rare copy of William Shakespeare’s sonnets from PBS Antique route.
The guest, who inherited the book from her father, initially thought it would be worth a modest $300 to $400. But expert Martin Gammon had a stunning revelation in store.
The rare copy of William Shakespeare’s Sonnets was estimated at a staggering $5,000 to $7,000, with a recommended insurance value of $10,000.
The book in question was an 1899 Roycroft Press edition of ‘The Sonnets of Shakespeare’. However, it is not just any copy.
This treasure is one of only 12 copies printed on parchment, a type of vellum made from cow or pig skin. It is therefore an extremely rare collector’s item.
A Nashville woman was astonished by the value of her rare copy of William Shakespeare’s sonnets on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow
The guest, who inherited the book from her father, initially thought it would be worth a modest $300 to $400. But expert Martin Gammon had a stunning revelation in store
The rare copy of William Shakespeare’s Sonnets was estimated at a staggering $5,000 to $7,000, with a recommended insurance value of $10,000
“This is probably the best highlight of the Roycroft Press,” Gammon said, leaving the owner visibly shocked.
‘It’s a very important American printer who was inspired by the Kelmscott Press in England to create a series of limited editions of literature and other categories, and the publisher is Elbert Hubbard.’
The book survived the Great Depression, when the guest’s grandfather, a rare book dealer, was forced to sell much of his collection.
“My father was born in Brooklyn and his father had a rare book store. He collected rare books, but unfortunately we only have a few left because my father’s father had to sell a lot of his books during the Depression,” the guest said.
The book in question was an 1899 Roycroft Press edition of ‘The Sonnets of Shakespeare’
This treasure is one of only 12 copies printed on parchment, a type of vellum made from cow or pig skin, making it an extremely rare collector’s item
“Oh my god. But this is one of the survivors who survived,” Gammon replied.
This literary treasure is a showcase of rare craftsmanship, featuring detailed renderings of Moroccan leather and a prestigious Roycroft bookbinding stamp, the appraiser said.
“It’s really exciting,” Gammon said.
The guest replied, ‘My father would be so happy.’ … I’m so glad they kept it and didn’t drop it down the stairs after the Depression.’
“I’m glad it wasn’t the one they were supposed to sell,” she added.