Fine Books in Bismarck, North Dakota

 

   Mr. William A. Strutz passed away early this year. He was an attorney and a collector of fine books. A few of the items from his collection of 15,000 are pictured above. His rationale for buying so many, was simple: "I'm a reader."
  This important collection is being auctioned and bibliophiles will be interested. I will provide the details here since it is not too late to get out your wallet. [Note in the small print above that the opening bid for these items are all in six figures.]

   "One of the Finest Private Libraries in America, Assembled By William A. Strutz, To Be Offered at Heritage Beginning June 27: Auction includes only privately owned copy of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in original pink boards, as well as spectacular inscribed copies of The Great Gatsby and The Hobbit, among other important books and manuscripts." 

William Strutz’s library consists of over some 15,000 books — the result of a “lifelong labor,” the attorney’s hometown newspaper, The Bismarck Tribune, once noted. He began collecting books in college in the late 1950s, on subjects ranging from astronomy to psychology, religion to law, philosophy to history. Soon after he began to focus on books of great literary significance, in superb original condition, and with important provenance. This accounts for the profusion of presentation and association copies found in his library, many of which are of great rarity.
   But Strutz wanted more than just a copy of the book itself. He sought out copies held by — touched by, gifted by, loved by — their authors. He wanted books presented from one notable to another. As result, Strutz assembled “one of the most important collections of English and American literature that has come on the market in decades,” says Francis Wahlgren, Heritage Auctions’ International Director of Rare Books & Manuscripts.
   The attorney’s lifelong labor makes its auction debut on June 27 as Important English and American Literature: The William A. Strutz Library, Part I, Rare Books Signature® Auction. More than 225 books, letters and manuscripts from Strutz’s collection are offered in this inaugural event, which is now open for bidding. This auction event includes some of the greatest works of English and American literature from the 16th to 20th centuries. Heritage will then offer selections from Strutz’s coveted collection over a series of auctions throughout this year and next.

“The collection is probably one of the few remaining great private libraries in America, formed over six decades,” says Wahlgren. “Sixty years of collecting is not frequently seen anymore, especially with his focus on depth and quality. Some of these books are so rare they’re likely never to be obtainable — or seen outside an institution — again. He was extraordinarily well-read — Strutz famously cited quotes from his vast collection during trials — and his books reflect that.”

For additional details see the auction website and: "One of the Finest Private Libraries in America" to Auction," Fine Books and Collections, May 23, 2024.

The Bonus:

For an earlier Western auction of books related to natural history in MM, see Sotheby's.