It was a big surprise for Selina Röttjers (29) from Helmond. She bought books by Anton Pieck for 35 euros via Facebook. One of them turned out to be a scrapbook with two special notes and a real signature of Anton Pieck.
Selina is a big fan of Efteling and Anton Pieck. That is why she went looking for books by the artist. “He has made so much more than Efteling. He captures the past very beautifully, romantically,” says Selina.
She wanted to draw more herself and use the works of Anton Pieck as inspiration. “I made a call in a Facebook group for fans of Anton Pieck. I quickly got a response from someone who said she still had a lot of books.” She bought a number of books from that collection for 35 euros.
“I think it’s a rarity.”
When the package was delivered, Selina discovered the special notes in the scrapbook. The cards contain New Year’s wishes from Anton Pieck, addressed to the saleswoman’s father. “He signed all the notes himself,” says Selina proudly. “I think it is a rarity. They are really old and also in good condition.”
She tried to contact the saleswoman, but she did not want the notes back. “She was just happy that the stuff ended up with me,” says Selina. She then immediately looked online for how much the notes would be worth. “I found copied sketches that Anton Pieck had signed in pen. They all sell for two or three hundred euros.”
“Many people sent Pieck a card, and then received a card back.”
The seller of the books says that she knew about the notes in the scrapbook when she sold them, but she does not see the scrapbook itself as a ‘great treasure’.
“Anton Pieck sent New Year’s wishes to my father because he had also sent a card to the artist himself. A lot of people did that at the time and they received a card in return. I could send ten kilos worth of books, so I didn’t scrapbook added extra for her.”
The woman is very happy that she has done Selina a great favor with the book. “My father was a big fan of Anton Pieck, he enjoyed it immensely. I therefore thought it was important that it would end up with someone who would also be very happy with it. We succeeded, she responded very enthusiastically .”
Selina herself is absolutely not thinking about selling. “My friend would like that. But then you go out for dinner and the money is gone in no time. These notes are worth much more to me. It’s really a gift that I got them!”
