LOT 4 - BOOK BOX (A VINTAGE ART BOOKS SURPRISE!)

At first glance, Lot 4 is for those with an interest in learning how to draw, paint, build or collect. Turns out if you have any interest in design, art history or pop culture, you might get a kick out of this as well. This surprise book box is a veritable one stop art class with instructional publications teaching you to draw portraits and objects in pencil; build picture frames; paint still life and water colors; collect Chinese antiques and become a master barnsmen of US barn types. All items are beautifully illustrated, rich in color and detail, and written in a voice all but forgotten to most if not all of us. The unfortunate side is that all books and items have suffered some sort of severe setback resulting in a less than ideal sale condition (see photographs). Hardbound books have become warped and bent; book covers and bindings have deteriorated, ripped off or broke; some have suffered moisture/condensation mishaps and carry the water stain scars on their covers and across the crease of all pages; while others bear the burden of being "fixed" with tape only to become broken again and left with bruising never to go away. I am not even going to list the titles. No need to. There is truly great stuff in this box if the right person takes the time to look; the items may not be shiny and new and sparkly, but they are entertaining, enlightening and full of old ideas and ways of doing things. For the right person, this is the best thing at the sale.