(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, November 12, 2012 ) Victoria, Australia -- The upcoming presidential election has spurred Bauman Rare Books to pull out some rare artifacts to share in celebration of the event.
The frontal boutique of the Shoppes at the Palazzo has been revamped into a temporary presidential museum. Admission to the display is free and open to the public until November 6, and curious and interested parties are welcome to stop by and peruse the presidential tomes, papers, and possessions.
In the exhibit are a pair of Abraham Lincoln’s worn spectacles from 1865, as well as George Washington’s copy of the journals of Congress from 1774. The items are valued at $200,000 and $185,000 respectively. There is also Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the Manual of Parliamentary Practice, with annotations included, which is priced at $268,000.
"For collectors who collect Americana, the opportunity presented by The American President is unmatchable," said store owner David Bauman.
The bookseller was able to sell a George Washington portrait and Franklin D. Roosevelt chess set to patrons of the store.
"This is about the institution of the presidency of the United States and the personalities that shaped that institution. Here you have the beginnings of our government," Bauman said.
"The exhibit that's on in the gallery now is quite something when you look around and you see several examples of Washington, Jefferson, Eisenhower, Truman. They're not just decorative signatures. Most of the items here have real content," he continued.
Bauman stated the rare book company with his wife in 1973. He did so after he purchased 20 books at an auction. The love of literature in general has helped continue their interest in the endeavor, even some forty years later. They now own stories in New York City, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas. Bauman visited his Las Vegas shop, which opened in 2008.
"We meet more people here than any place. More people than in New York, actually. People come from all over the world and they're in a nice, relaxed mood," Bauman said of his Vegas store.
Bauman employs 45 workers, and of those, 12 are based in Las Vegas.
Employees are given reading assignments and pop-quizzes by Bauman. He does this to ensure his employees both have a love for the work and are able to answer questions that may be posed by patrons.
"It does take a good three to five years to begin to learn what we do. It's a process because we guarantee everything we sell. Every book is collated page for page. The guarantee means that people who work here are extremely knowledgeable," he said.
About BrotherhoodBooks.org.au:
BrotherhoodBooks.org.au (http://www.brotherhoodbooks.org.au/) is a must visit website for a jaw-dropping selection of great books to enjoy. Browse the company’s specials, and even utilize the recommendations section if you just are not sure what you want. Visitors can even donate books to help the spread the love and interest in literature. Learn more at the Brotherhood Books website.
