August 28, 1998
Greetings Accumulators!
Phew! That was rough. I think I've got the subscriber list back together now, and the duplicate addresses
eliminated. I believe I've lost about 200 subscribers, and hope they realize they're not getting the newsletter
any more and contact me.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WHERE'S JACQUES COUSTEAU WHEN YOU REALLY NEED HIM?
The absentee auction held by Arte Primitivo Gallery on June 16 included some - um - oddities. The clearly
strangest lot was a pair of Fiji Mer-people. There were a male and a female (merman and mermaid), de-
accessioned by a museum. They were apparently very similar to the pair once displayed by PT Barnum in the
1920s. They are half-human, half fish - made of actual fish rears with the human parts being made of
molded resin, claws, animal teeth and skin. The lot included some newspaper clippings describing the
discovery of mermaids and sold to a museum for $6,612.50. Also in the sale was a shrunken human head,
once having belonged to a Jivaro Indian from the Ecuadoran Amazon, which sold for $9,200. He is, of course,
much shorter now than he once was. Arte Primativo will be having another absentee auction in November.
For more information, call (21 2)570-6999.
BUT NO BORING CAMPAIGN SPEECHES, AND ELVIS NEED NOT APPLY DEPARTMENT
The International Autograph Collectors Club and Dealers Alliance (IACC/DA - seriously) has announced the
establishment of The International Autograph Hall of Fame. 1-3 individuals will be elected to the Hall Of Fame
every two years. Nominees are limited to persons who have been deceased for a minimum of five years, and
need not come from IACC/DA members (no one may nominate himself either, apparently). In case you think
the name of the organization is long, please note that the ballots will be contained in the club newsletter, "IACC/DA's
Eyes, Ears and Voices Of The Hobby".
SOMETHING FOR HILLARY TO SMILE ABOUT
Hillary Rodham Clinton embarked on a four-day tour in July, designed to heighten public awareness and support
for America's treasures of the past. Mrs. Clinton's trip was made in conjunction with a gift from the Polo Ralph
Lauren Corp. The $10,000,000 (yes, that's ten million dollars!) was the largest gift ever received by The
Smithsonian Institution, and it will be used to restore and protect the American flag that inspired Francis Scott
Key to write the country's national anthem. In addition to the original gift, designer Ralph Lauren made a
personal contribution of $3,000,000 to be used to fund an advertising campaign on behalf of America's
historical treasures. Way to go, Ralph!
So Accumulators, I hope you're getting this promptly and that I don't get fifty bounced emails after I send
it out. Artie and I will be leaving for the country house in a few minutes, and we'll be snooping and shopping
all weekend. Happy hunting!
Best,
Judith
© 1998 Judith Katz-Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Antiques and Collectibles Newsletter #54
U.S. Library of Congress
ISSN 1520-4464
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