[78-L] One of a kind Sobinov Berliner.. RIP

[Erwin Kluwer]

I just got this message from record auctioneer Larry Holdridge  about my
Sobinov Berliner ( probably the only copy in existence ) wich I won in his
last auction.....


Dear Erwin,

A terrible tragedy has occurred.  I had to move the remaining records from
the past auction to another storage area to make room for the next auction.
I pulled your Sobinov record to pack so it would not become misplaced and
left it on my work desk to pack it. Shortly after, a helper arrived for
work. His task that day was to cut up old albums to use for packing.  He
moved the record to make room for the paper cutter and, in the process,
dropped it. A large piece broke, leaving only about quarter (if that much)
of the grooved area.

Obviously I feel EXTREMELY disappointed about this, both for you and for me.
Unfortunately, I have nothing comparable at present to offer you instead.

I have sent you the broken record today. I doubt that it would be of any use
to you, but at least it confirms what I’ve said happened to it.

If you find anything in the future that you wish me to hold, I’ll
IMMEDIATELY pack it so nothing like this occurs again.  I can honestly say
that I’ve never experienced such breakage here in the past and in the mail
well over thirty years no more than three or four times (in dealing with
thousands of parcels). I’m only sorry this happened to you and with such an
expensive record!

Most sincerely,

Larry Holdridge



Mind you:  this record had  a $1000 minimum bid ...  My winning bid was
close to $2000...

Well everybody has their bad day now en then...!

Erwin