January 13th, 2006, 03:27 PM
I mentioned this story a few years ago and I get angry every time I think about it, but something happened today and I'm going to rant again.
Andre had in her library a beautiful set of the original THREE Foundation books by Isaac Asimov. She had all three, First Editions of FOUNDATION, FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE, and SECOND FOUNDATION. Additionally, all three copies had been Personally inscribed to Andre Norton, by Isaac Asimov.
The set of three, in my opinion was one of the most valuable sets of books in the science fiction world. The incredible association value of Isaac personally giving them to Andre and Inscribing them to her is irreplaceable and priceless.
Every time I visited Andre in Winter Park, i looked at her library and there they were. The first time I went to High Hallack, I spent the entire weekend at the house. FOUNDATION, was missing!. I looked carefully through every book shelf in the library , and it was not misplaced, it had been stolen!
Jack Gonzalez of Fantastic Voyages was in my store today. Jack was almost exclusively responsible for purchasing the bulk of the serious books from Andre, a while before the, major and total disposition. He again confirmed what I already knew. There were only 2 of the books present.
What i find particularly galling about this incident, is that the thief was probably a "friend" of the Lady and was trusted in the library. I'm just flaming the situation.
If any of you ever see this book available for sale, know this. There is absolutely no legitimate provinance for this item. It was never a gift, it was never sold, it was stolen.
I do not go to conventions, or World Con, or book fairs but if any of you ever see this book become available, I would do whatever I could to let everyone know it is a stolen book.
This is the only S.F. Fandom site that I post to but if I had time or inclination i would post this on every site available, I would contact every large Science Fiction and Fantasy book specialist, I would print it in Locus, I would write to the SFWA and let them know.
I know, everyone who reads this post will know that this priceless book, wherever it may be, is a stolen item, robbed from an elderly and trusting gracious woman. May whoever the thief is, gain absolutely no money from or enjoyment of their ill gotten gain.
Well, that's my rant. Do with it what you may, but it's off my chest for now.
Andre had in her library a beautiful set of the original THREE Foundation books by Isaac Asimov. She had all three, First Editions of FOUNDATION, FOUNDATION AND EMPIRE, and SECOND FOUNDATION. Additionally, all three copies had been Personally inscribed to Andre Norton, by Isaac Asimov.
The set of three, in my opinion was one of the most valuable sets of books in the science fiction world. The incredible association value of Isaac personally giving them to Andre and Inscribing them to her is irreplaceable and priceless.
Every time I visited Andre in Winter Park, i looked at her library and there they were. The first time I went to High Hallack, I spent the entire weekend at the house. FOUNDATION, was missing!. I looked carefully through every book shelf in the library , and it was not misplaced, it had been stolen!
Jack Gonzalez of Fantastic Voyages was in my store today. Jack was almost exclusively responsible for purchasing the bulk of the serious books from Andre, a while before the, major and total disposition. He again confirmed what I already knew. There were only 2 of the books present.
What i find particularly galling about this incident, is that the thief was probably a "friend" of the Lady and was trusted in the library. I'm just flaming the situation.
If any of you ever see this book available for sale, know this. There is absolutely no legitimate provinance for this item. It was never a gift, it was never sold, it was stolen.
I do not go to conventions, or World Con, or book fairs but if any of you ever see this book become available, I would do whatever I could to let everyone know it is a stolen book.
This is the only S.F. Fandom site that I post to but if I had time or inclination i would post this on every site available, I would contact every large Science Fiction and Fantasy book specialist, I would print it in Locus, I would write to the SFWA and let them know.
I know, everyone who reads this post will know that this priceless book, wherever it may be, is a stolen item, robbed from an elderly and trusting gracious woman. May whoever the thief is, gain absolutely no money from or enjoyment of their ill gotten gain.
Well, that's my rant. Do with it what you may, but it's off my chest for now.
Agressive Pursuer of Andre Norton material and addicted Karaoke singer!