Campbell Estate Sale Finds

Monday, October 29, 2007.

Today I went to an estate sale of the property of the gentleman, Mr. Harry Campbell, for whom I have been house-sitting for these past three years. He passed away at 97 years in August. The trip today to his home, my "old" home, now sorted and merchandised like a garage sale sobered me with an air of finality. I spent three years in his home, tending to, and treasuring the things he and his wife worked hard to accumulate, though perhaps a little excessive in the accumulation, simply to have it now auctioned in wholesale lots. It struck me how glaring the lightness of our footprint here on this earth and "if I have not love..." what have I really?

In the midst of such gloom, I was cheered by my ability to rescue a few scarce pieces of the Campbell collection from an uncertain and ambiguous future. I thank my father for making these few purchases possible, by that I mean that he purchased them for me, as I am currently in a measure of "want." I have acquired:

A croquet set. Unlike the modern, trendy ones, this set has the capacity of actually being utilized with sturdy mallets. These sturdy mallets have dual purpose, and may be used stoutly for self-defense, should the occasion present itself. I myself have test-driven them, by that I mean that I have played croquet with them, not whacked someone in the head. This is the benefit of living in the house prior to the estate sale, when I had a little soire last year called the "Walmer Croquet Gala." Photos available here.

Some wonderful books. Anyone who knows me hardly at all knows my appreciation for all things aged (pronounced "age-ed") and old books easily win my heart. The idea of a beautifully bound book going unappreciated just makes me sick. Thankfully, in this case, I've been able to give a few titles a new and loving home. Titles like:

Attic Philosopher in Paris by Emile Souvestre printed in 1899 with beautiful gold leaf and flower print hardcover binding.

The Poetical Works of Robert Browning Vignette Edition with 100 New Illustrations printed in 1892, and originally owned by a M. Ferne Roberts 1897 according to the cover page script, also with floral and gold filigree and absolutely delightful illustrations.

Turning Points in World History by Henry Mann printed in 1897. A small but delicate book with an advertisement for the Christian Herald in the back that reads:

"The Christian Herald is the Brightest and Best Family Paper in Existence. Beautifully Printed in Many Radiant Colors, Profusely Illustrated by Eminent Artists, it present in the Most Attractive Manny the Choicest Contributions of the Grandest Men and Women of two Continents. It proves an unfailing Source of Joy and Gladness to ever Home it enters, fascinating alike Old and Young with its Delightful Literary and Pictorial surprises. In fact, there is no Paper just like it in all the World, and a family without the Christian Herald misses much of the Good Cheer and Golden Sunshine of Life. Subscribe TO-DAY. You will never regret it, and herafter there will be Fifty-two Addition Bright, Red-Letter Days in your Family Calendar - the days on which the ever-welcome Christian Herald is due at your Home."

Precept Upon Precept or A Third Series of the Earliest Religious Instruction the Infant Mind is Capable Of Receiving with Verses Illustrative of the Subjects published by the American Tract Society a really long time ago.

Along with other notables like Campbell's poetical works, Writings on the Constitution, Whittier's Poems, Collected works of Henry David Thoreau, and essays of Robert Lewis Stevenson, and 18,00 Words Often Mispronounced.