<i>In The News:</i> Ebay Thief Sentenced, Two Exhibitions, Abe's Top 10
- by Michael Stillman
De Brunhoff's preliminary cover design (not used) for first Babar book. Courtesy of Morgan Library.
By Michael Stillman
A 74-year-old Great Falls, Montana, man was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison last month for a massive eBay theft-and-sale scheme he had been running from his home. James Brubaker pleaded guilty to stealing various documents from around 100 libraries across the American and Canadian West. He stole thousands, possibly tens of thousands of items from these libraries, which he then posted for sale on eBay. By the time he was caught, he had thousands of documents in files ready to be sold and shipped, along with countless items already sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Brubaker's scheme collapsed when a librarian at Western Washington University noticed that pages were missing from a book Brubaker had examined. This led to a search for these items on eBay, which found similar ones being offered by one "montanasilver." A couple of purchases revealed these to be the exact copies taken from the university library. With this, some further investigation by authorities, and a search warrant, Brubaker's operation was over. He conceded to the overwhelming evidence and pleaded guilty.
Guidelines called for a sentence of 30-37 months. Prosecutors requested less - two years - as a recognition of the former high school chemistry teacher's cooperation. The judge did not buy into the leniency, saying Brubaker did not deserve it. However, he did sentence Brubaker to the lower end of the guidelines' range at 2 1/2 years. Additionally, Brubaker will have to pay $23,152 in restitution. Most of this will go to Western Washington, but other institutions will get a small piece, including $5 for the Bozeman Public Library.
The Morgan Library and Museum in New York is hosting an exhibition of early drafts and drawings of everyone's favorite French elephant, Babar. Everyone recognizes Babar in his stylish green suit and golden crown, but he did not always look so. He had to grow into his role. The Morgan is exhibiting working drafts and watercolors created by Jean de Brunhoff for the first Babar book, Histoire de Babar, published in 1931. De Brunhoff took the concept from some bedtime stories his wife made up for their children and created the protagonist for this long running enormously popular children's series.
Jean de Brunhoff died in 1937, at the age of 37, but fortunately Babar survived his creator. Jean's son Laurent de Brunhoff took over the job of raising Babar, a role he continues to this day. Also on display are the working drafts and drawings for Laurent's first Babar book, Babar et ce coquin d'Arthur (Babar and his rascal cousin Arthur). Drawing Babar: Early Drafts and Watercolors will be continuing at the Morgan from now until January 4, 2009, and for those who think serious libraries cannot be fun, this exhibition should quickly disabuse you of your theory.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1997, first edition, hardback issue, inscribed by the author pre-publication. £100,000 to £150,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Autograph sketchleaf including a probable draft for the E flat Piano Quartet, K.493, 1786. £150,000 to £200,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
![<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] <i>Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,</i> Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/00d5fd41-2542-4a80-b119-4886d4b9925f.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] <i>Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,</i> Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.")
