Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - May - 2005 Issue
Fact, Fiction, and More from Bauman Rare Books
Rap sheets on the Philadelphia mob.
One of Guthrie's greatest disciples was Bob Dylan. The still unknown Dylan was one of Guthrie's regular visitors in the early 1960s while the latter suffered from a degenerative disease. Next to Guthrie, Dylan was probably most influenced by another legendary folk and blues singer, Huddie Ledbetter, better known as "Leadbelly." Item 62 is an album cover, with the album inside, of Leadbelly's Last Sessions, released in 1953. The plain white cover is inscribed by "Bob" to his manager Kevin Krown, in large script, "This is a Great Record!" Indeed it was, and Ledbelly's work has been covered by everyone from Dylan to Nirvana. $4,500. Item 63 is another album cover "defaced" by Mr. Dylan. It is Judy Collins' fifth album from 1965, on which Dylan has penned several verses from his song Mr. Tambourine Man, and added his signature, dated 1965. $11,000.
Item 13 is a copy of the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous, with an inscription from Bill Wilson, the Bill W. who helped found this organization. This is a later issue of the second edition of a book that has saved countless lives. Bill W's typescript copy of this book, first published in 1939, sold at auction last year for over $1.5 million. This copy is priced at $11,000.
Here's a type of item you will rarely see: the official file kept by the Philadelphia police on organized crime in the city. In it are 87 leaves of information about Philadelphia's best-known mobsters from the 1956-1966 period. Included are descriptions of many notorious characters along with their mugshots, one head-on, one in profile. Among the gentlemen covered are Marco "Little Guy" Reginelli, Angelo "Gentle Don" Bruno, and Peter Casella. You may welcome these men of honor into your own home with the purchase of item 48. $4,000.
You can find Bauman Rare Books online and discover more of the books they offer at www.BaumanRareBooks.com. They may be reached by phone at 800-992-2862.
