Sender: Rare book and manuscripts <EXLIBRIS-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
This message appeared this morning on another list. --ECW
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I was contacted earlier this week by email by a woman claiming to work for
"Atam Sahamanian, a private art dealer here in Manhattan." She claims that
he has been commissioned to sell the 18th copy of the Dunlap broadside of
the Declaration of Independence by a descendant of a signer, discreetly, of
course. She went on to say that after doing some research, she had
concluded that William and Mary would be a good home for it and gave a
string of reasons as to why. Should I be interested, she offered to send
more pictures and the price.
If you have been or are similarly contacted, please be aware that the
accompanying photo is not of a Dunlap broadside, and there are other reasons
to view this offer with suspicion. A Google search for Atam Sahamanian or
Atam Sahmanian (she spelled it both ways in the email) leads to a Yahoo!
Answers post inquiring about a NY art dealer of that name who the poster
alleges has scammed people. The post has been removed but is still in
Google's cache. Google also turns up a high-end shirtmaker by that name in
Manhattan who does seem to be legitimate.
It's always safest to buy from reputable dealers, such as members of the
Antiquarian Booksellers of America, who agree to abide by a code of ethics.
Bea Hardy
Beatriz B. Hardy, Director
Special Collections Research Center
Swem Library
College of William and Mary
PO Box 8794
Williamsburg, VA 23187
757-221-3054