Okay, as some of you know ... there are collectors out there. Some people collect stamps, others comics and even salt and pepper shakers, go figure. Although I have some 6,000 books in my home, I don't consider myself a collector, I just love to read and I do a lot of research, I mean who else gives you all those little known facts about the early days?
Anyways, about 15 years ago, I had about five or six original photos taken between 1890s and 1916, these were those big oblong photos taken in the early days. Well, I leant them to a Watchtower collector, so he could reproduce them, he was also a JW and I thought he was my friend. Well 15 years later and nothing. I've pretty much signed those valuable photos away as a bad experience that will never be repeated again. I understand he's done this to a few others.
Well, in doing my research for an upcoming history book , I've had to obtain alot of "stuff", doesn't matter to me whether it's orioginals, reproductions or just plain copies, I just need the information. Most of the time I send this stuff to the BIble Students republishing committee, and it's scanned and added to the Bible Students library archives which then makes it into a cd rom.
A lot of the stuff I've obtained through the years have them their way onto ebay, as I don't need a house full of books and papers. Well the other day, I'm going through my files, and what do I find? A little known booklet published by Maria Russell against her husband. A small booklet few people have only read about or seen in footnotes. No extant copies were known, actually, you'd be surprised what you find in Bible Student libraries and homes. An old book used as a coaster for a coke can, they could care less, but a collector would cringe at the sight.
Turns out this little booklet by Maria Russell was in the hands of this Watchtower collector, who didn't want anyone knowing he had it, because he would be hounded for copies and such and he wanted it to be kept a secret so the value would rise and he could offer it eventually for a hefty price or just make copies for a heft price.
So what happens? Little bells go off in my head ... I took my copy and reproduced it, the way it actually looked from the original. I made a few dozen copies and sent some to BIble Student archivist and historians within the movement, even sent one to the Society for their records [don't ask]. The rest? I put on ebay as a dutch auction, so far only three bids, but others have privately e-mailed me for tis valuable booklet, that contains correspondence between Charles and Maria Russell concerning their marriage and the affairs of the Watch Tower Society.
Well, this collector, is now huffing and puffing, and writes me a lengthy little letter, as if acting on sole concerned for teh contents and what damage it could do to Russell's image. How could I do such a thing?
My reply was simple, "because I can." Secondly, Russell's image is only tarnished by those who hate him and all he stands for. Thirdly, the only damage done is to deplete the value of his original copy, which was my intent.
he threatened to tell all the Bible Students about what I did, as if they don't know, I sent them copies, and picked at random some names of Bible Students he most likely got out of a Bible Student journal.
Of course he would have to chnage his story, becaue in his e-mail to me, he called Russell "a liar", "evil one" and "arrogant, haughty, devious, uncharitable, and unkind." Now you tell me, whay would someone who hates Russell that much, damn me for making a little booklet available?
Truth is, this guy has actually supported his brood [wife and dozen or so kids] by selling Watchtower books to would be collectors.
And if he's reading this? .... oh well!