Actually, Stephan and Regina Pietras just want to know “whether the things are worth anything”. By thing – that means two old cocktail books. The couple from Vechta bought them at a flea market and now want to sell them at “Bares für Rares”.
As expert Sven Deutschmanek explains, the books come from the USA and are bound in a wooden cover with leather cords. They date from the 1950s and contain numerous cocktail recipes with drawings.
The couple would like 100 euros for the two books. Deutschmanek believes that this is achievable, although he adjusts the value slightly downwards: He estimates the two volumes together at 60 to 100 euros. The sellers agree with this. “Now you just have to negotiate,” says Horst Lichter. “Once they start mixing, it gets easier and easier. After the fifth cocktail, it’s working.”
The books are very well received in the dealer’s room – especially by Susanne Steiger, who immediately leafs through them and happily announces: “There’s even my favorite cocktail in here.” When asked, she also reveals it: It’s Pink Lady. She starts the auction directly at 60 euros, which means the lower limit of the estimated value is reached straight away. But there will be much more: Other dealers also bid, but Steiger counters every bid. In the end she buys the two books for 220 euros.
Afterwards she explains why she was so keen on the cocktail recipes: “I financed my first shop by making cocktails.” Back then, she worked in the bar at night and then went to her shop in the morning. “The cocktails contributed to why I’m sitting here today.”
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