Doheny collection brings more than $5 million

Rare Bibles, devotional texts and other manuscripts housed for years at a Catholic library in Perryville, Mo., were auctioned Friday, raising more than $5 million for charity.

Francis Wahlgren, head of the books and manuscripts department at Christie's in New York, said Friday, "American historical documents, American literature, 16th century Bibles and fine bindings performed extraordinarily well."

The rare books were part of The Estelle Doheny Collection from the former St. Mary's of the Barrens seminary in Perryville.

Doheny, a Catholic philanthropist who died in 1958, donated the collection some 60 years ago.

Described on Christie's Web site to be "one of the greatest book collectors of the 20th century," Doheny requested her gift be used to support the Vincentian ministry.

Until recently, the collection of books, manuscripts and glass art objects remained at the library. When Southeast Missouri State University leased the library as part of a higher-education center, the university asked the Vincentians to move the books so they wouldn't be damaged during the renovation.

University officials asked that the collection be donated or leased for display in a museum planned for Southeast's proposed River Campus arts school in Cape Girardeau, but the religious order decided to sell instead.

Of 451 literary items put on the auction block Friday, 389 sold, fetching a total of $5,541,075.

"Prices were high, and strong interest was reflected in several world auction records," Wahlgren said.

He cited the $424,000 for the King James Bible and $44,650 for the first American edition of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn."

Proceeds will benefit charitable efforts of the collection's owner, Midwest Province of the Congregation of the Mission, an order headed locally by the Rev. William Hartenbach.

The literary collection included a first-edition King James Bible and illuminated manuscripts from the 15th century. It also featured letters and works of Mark Twain as well as several American presidents.

A signed letter from Thomas Jefferson fetched $204,000.

A complete Gospel of John from the first-edition Gutenberg Bible, valued at about $1 million, did not sell.

If bids do not reach the reserved price, a minimum amount below which an item is not sold, then the item may be put up for auction at a later date or returned to the owner.

Monday, antique glass paperweights and other pieces of decorative art from the St. Mary's collection will also be auctioned for charity.

abuchanan@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160