REA will be offering the balance of Bruce Dorskind’s collection in the spring auction, but we will not be separating items out in their own section with great fanfare attributing them to Bruce’s collection as that was always specifically not Bruce’s wish. Bruce had actually been selling his collection off over the past ten years due to health reasons (and also buying at the same time, just on a smaller scale) at both REA (for selling the better items) and a couple of other auctions for selling more modest value items. Many collectors, of course, will recognize some of Bruce’s items in the upcoming spring REA catalog, and we will probably make note of a few of his favorites such as his Zimmer Game and Four Base Hits sample and Just So Tobacco card sample. Bill is absolutely correct that the Boston Garter Uncut Strip of Four Cards that appeared on the cover of the spring 2013 REA catalog was Bruce’s. This was his all-time favorite item and even with this, while he knew that many would recognize it was his, he specifically requested we keep his name out of the write-up and all promotional information.
Interesting untold background story to the Boston Garter Uncut Strip: Bruce was always clear that this was his #1 favorite item. When he called to ask about consigning it, I was kind of shocked. I always thought that would be the last thing to go. Bruce was extremely sick at this time. He had been sick for a long time but his health had been rapidly deteriorating. His only request, which I was happy to accommodate (and would have done so even without the special request) was that it appear on the cover of the REA catalog. He was very clear: That was his dream for his most special item. This was essentially a death bed request. He didn’t have to sell it but was consigning it so that he could hopefully live to see it appear on the cover (which was far from a certainty at the time). We knew his situation was dire and were extremely concerned that he would never get to see it, so we made sure to send him early cover designs, interior layout pdfs, and proof copies so that he could see everything as soon as we had it. Thankfully he was able to see and appreciate and enjoy the final presentation and the entire auction very much. The auction was very important to him. It was not so important to him exactly what it sold for, but that it was presented and shared with the world in a way that he felt did justice to it. He was very pleased about everything. Sometimes an auction is more than an auction. I always thought that the excitement of knowing the presentation of his top prize was in the near future may have even played a role in helping him continue on a little longer or with a little more strength than otherwise. At the very least, it was a dream that meant a lot to him fulfilled.
Sincerely,
Robert Lifson
Robert Edward Auctions LLC
www.robertedwardauctions.com