Date: Fri 14-Aug-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Booth-Library-Hough-book-sale

Full Text:

PAGE ONE / LIBRARY

Rare Volumes Are Pulled From Library Book Sale

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Library officials have pulled a rare set of books out from a pile that was to

be sold at the library's annual Labor Day weekend book sale.

The 14-volume set of books by Romeyn Beck Hough, entitled The American Woods ,

is expected to be put back on the shelves inside the Cyrenius H. Booth Library

where Friends of the Booth Library hope it stays for a long time. The decision

to keep the book out of the book sale was made last weekend by the executive

committee of the Library Board of Trustees.

Earlier this summer, the set of books about American trees mysteriously turned

up among the 100,000 items being prepared for the sale. However, rare book

expert John Renjilian soon determined that it was worth a lot more than was

first thought.

"These books were in our reference section, but when we moved back here from

Fairfield Hills they accidentally got put in the book sale pile," explained

Librarian Janet Woycik.

The collection gives a vivid description of America's trees, including real

wood samples in some cases.

Library board trustee Gordon Williams said the books had been on the library's

shelves for several years and were not used very often, although the set is

very "unique." Reports say there may be as few as 40 copies remaining in the

US. The series is believed to have been written during the early part of this

century, possibly during the 1920s.

"I've heard it has fetched really good money," said Mr Williams, pointing out

that even incomplete volumes have been sold for several thousand dollars.

When the book set was first discovered earlier this summer, library officials

said they were not sure where it came from. Mr Williams said it was on the

library shelves all along.

Mr Williams said American Woods is now off the shelves as the library trustees

determine what step to take. Once back in circulation, library officials say

it will be let out on a limited basis only.

The annual book sale is put on by the Friends of the Library, which sent out a

press release last week announcing that The American Woods, among other rare

books, would be available for sale. That release has since been changed.

In the past, book dealers from all across the Northeast have flocked to the

sale seeking good deals. Library officials say they would have gotten a great

deal with The American Woods had it not been for some last-minute research.