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Correspondence from Philip Kaplan to Karl Germer
April 2nd 1957 [1958]
Dear Karl.
When you look at the enclosed list that Lund [Robert Lund] sent me your eyes will pop, mine did. To tell you how I cajoled this man into sending me the list is too long a story, it did involve 3 long distance calls and two letters. This man is not cagey he is just stupid. I do believe he had prejudices, he did not want to do any business with anyone connected with the old order of Crowley, and still does believe that there might be some evil connected with the books.
Check the list of books offered on the list they are all there, the ones he has kept for himself are not listed. You will easily agree that they are worth considerably more than $750. When I first talked to him I advised him not to sell for the above price and that I would definitely pay more. How much more would depend on the list. When I got the list on Monday I called him and told him that I was very much interested and that I was letting it up to him as to what my next step would be. Since he expected to hear from the dealer on Wed. (to-day) he asked if I could call him then and he would tell me the dealer's final offer. At that time I could give him my offer.
To-day I got the bad news, his dealer offered him $1250. He was shocked he had no idea that any one would pay such a price for them. Now he wants to play the game fair and straight, he does not want to pit me against the bookdealer. In fact he offered the dealer my name and hoped that we would get together and discuss the books (not very bright).
He knows mow that a University in Indiana is the one who is seeking the books. He was told that if they get this collection plus with what they have they will have the biggest Crowley coll. in the country. I immediately called my dealer, the one who had offered me the last batch of Crowley that I did not buy, and asked him to tell me whether a University in Indiana had bought the books that the Kinsey group who are attacked to the school might be sponsering [sic] the idea of acquiring the books.
Now here is what must be done by next Wednesday. I got Lund to hold up selling the books until he got my final offer. I got him to do this because I feigned great surprise at the price and told him that I must study the list carefully. He said that I could copy the list but to return it as soon as possible.
Karl, do you want the books? I ask this question because should you not get them at your price I might bid higher in case your price is too low. I honestly think that even $2,000 dollars may not get the lot, because the dealer could easily get more from the school by telling them of a new offer. A 1500 bid could easily be met with 1750. So you see 2,000 is not out of the question.
Lund is the only one to benefit by this bidding, I hate to see him benefit by it, but there is nothing we can do. So if you want to bid please let me know immediately, by Western Union if possible and I will call him directly and give him your bid, and if he accepts then I will expect you to send me the money (certified check) made out to me. I will in turn make out a new check that I will present to him in payment. Should you turn this down, I may decide to make a try at it myself at 1500 or more.
My attitude is this, if the school gets the books they will at least be in very good hands for a long time to come, and perhaps you or I may be able to see them there. The anxiety of this whole business has tired me out completely, I need a vacation.
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