Vincentians turn rare items into funding

The rare books and manuscripts of the Estelle Doheny Collection that were auctioned by Christie's in New York last week and this week brought more than $7.1 million -- considerably more than the $5 million anticipated value.

The collection from the former St. Mary's of the Barrens seminary in Perryville, Mo., included a first-edition 1611 King James Bible that sold for $424,000, one of the earliest German illustrated books dated 1491 that brought $226,000, a first edition of Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" dated 1551 that sold for $215,000 and a letter from President Thomas Jefferson dated 1801 that brought $204,000. A first edition of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" sold for $44,650.

One of the prized books in the collection -- a complete Gospel of John from the first-edition Gutenberg Bible sold privately for about $800,000 -- less than its $1 million estimate.

In all, 389 of the 451 literary items put on the auction block were sold the day of the auction.

Doheny, a Catholic philanthropist who died in 1958, donated the collection about 60 years ago to Midwest Province of the Congregation of the Mission. Proceeds will benefit charitable efforts of the mission.

The Vincentians plan to use the money for its programs.