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Correspondence from Dr. John P. Kowal to Karl Germer
Detroit, Mich.
March 17, 1958
Just had a call from Mr. Lund [Robert Lund], he denies that he made a promise to me about making a list of the books for you—he said that "should he make such list" then he would give you the first choice. Evidently this was brought about your letter that he received this morning.
He tells me (over the phone) that he turned the books to his dealer for sale—and that you should have told him in your letter to him that you are interested in buying them—said you said nothing about buying them, so he turned them to his dealer—now he tells me that his dealer told him that (some University (?) that of Michigan wants to buy the collection and offered to buy them for $750.00 (seven hundred fifty dollars) for the whole lot. Lund told me that this was more than he paid for the whole lot—but stated that he did not say whether he will accept the offer or not—even though he was notified with the price.
Personally, I do not think that any "university" made such an offer—doubt very much that he could sell them for that price to anyone. Yet Lund told me that he is too busy with writing back and forth not knowing what is your intention—evidently the books are in dealers hands—thus far he did not accept the offer of $750. Yet states that it is more than he expected—and stated surprise (to me, that anyone could pay such price for them!)
So he asked me to write you again stating that books are not been sold yet but an offer was made—this whole deal seems "fishy" to me. By the way he said if he had the books in his possession, he would make you a list—but since his dealer has them—this was out of the question.
Now—what can you do?
The price is steep—and exactly for what items? Must leave this up to you
Sapientia (Kowal).
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