Lippincott's Magazine Of Popular Literature And Science, Old Series, Vol. 36—New Series, Vol. 10, July 1885Various
Science
Lippincott's Magazine Of Popular Literature And Science, Old Series, Vol. 36—New Series, Vol. 10, July 1885
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
the latter name brought double that of the great emperor. In autographs of
literary and musical celebrities the collection was extraordinarily rich,
those of Goethe and Schiller, Beethoven and Mozart, being conspicuous. But
the chief rarity was a large album formerly owned by Babet von Ployer.
This contained, among other treasures, a manuscript of Haydn, believed to
be the only one ever offered for sale in this country. It also contained
an India-ink sketch of Mozart, drawn by his wife Constance. At the sale in
1878 this album was knocked down for one hundred and twenty-six dollars,
although three hundred dollars had been previously refused for it. The
Mozart letter, a particularly interesting specimen, was sold for fifty-two
dollars to M.H. Cross, Esq.
Turning from the autographs to the books, we find still greater value and
variety. The historical portion, especially where it referred to local
subjects, was almost phenomenal. One precious lot comprised a complete set
of the first daily newspaper of the United States, beginning with the
"Pennsylvania Packet" in 1771, and continuing unbroken, through several
changes of title and proprietorship, for one hundred and seven years. An
amusing incident is related in connection with Mr. Mickley's purchase of
the larger portion of this series,--"Poulson's Advertiser" from 1800 to
1840. When the wagon was driven to his door, loaded with the purchase, the
housekeeper exclaimed, "What ever is to be done with all this truck?" Yet
this "truck," a mine of wealth to the future historian, was sold after
Mickley's death for eight hundred dollars. There were city directories of
several editions for ninety-three years. The black-letter list was quite
large, and there were more than thirty editions of the Bible, some of
great rarity, and nearly all in a fine state of preservation.
From the time of the coin-robbery the older acquaintances of Mr. Mickley
noticed a decided change in him. On the subject of coins, once so voluble,
he grew very reticent. His business, which had for many years appeared
rather a pastime than a task to him, grew irksome. After a period of
uncertainty, he finally decided to close up his affairs and spend some
years in foreign travel. In spite of advanced age, he was both physically
and mentally well equipped for such a journey. His health had always been
good. His temper seemed never to be ruffled. Of the French and German
languages he was a master, and he had some knowledge of the Spanish,
Italian, and Swedish. His previous extensive acquaintance with men of many
nations and habits was kept fresh in mind by a remarkable memory. With all
these advantages, the period of his travels was the most interesting of
his life.
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