• David B. Clark, the owner of Enigma Rarities, has been a collector of antiquarian newspapers, historical documents, ancient artifacts, rare books, and fine art for nearly 30 years. David has extensive experience, and a discerning eye for making unusual and spectacular acquisitions. The inventory at Enigma Rarities has been obtained from around the globe.
  David invites you to enjoy browsing his amazing inventory, and purchase that special treasure that resonates with your mind and heart.
  
  
• Fine Art
  Enigma has a variety of original drawings by well-known listed artists. The best-known of our featured artists is Pablo Picasso. There are also works by Paul-Cesar Helleu, Georges Braque, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Jean Miro, Gustav Klimt, Marc Chagall, and others. You have the opportunity to purchase an original drawing or signed lithograph by very well-known artists at a fraction of the prices found in major art galleries or auction houses.
  All artists had to earn a living, and most produced thousands of drawings. Only their most famous works command multi-million dollar prices and hang in fine museums or billionaire’s homes. Picasso, for example, created at least 20,000 works [the lowest estimate]. At Enigma, you can own an original Picasso drawing for a few thousand dollars instead of a few million!
  Whether you’re buying for the pleasure of enjoying the art, or making a purchase as a long-term investment, or to impress your clients or friends, you’ll find our prices very competitive.
  
  
• Ancient Artifacts
  We have antiquities from around the ancient world. Cuneiform tablets from ancient Babylon. Mayan and Chimu pottery from the pre-Columbian Americas. Clay lamps from the Holy Land, dating from Biblical times. Statuettes, papyrus, and wearable jewelry from dynastic Egypt. Exquisite Chinese porcelains from the Ming, Xi and other dynasties.  Ancient Celtic bracelets.
  Owning antiquities is a great way to connect with the ancients, and it’s educational. And, just like fine art, it is highly displayable.
  
  
• Antiquarian Newspapers
  Our assortment of original antiquarian newspapers spans 200 years. Read the actual newspapers with reports of the James Gang, Lincoln’s assassination, Civil War battles, infamous crimes, and other important and fascinating events from the past.
  Although thousands or tens of thousands of issues of each newspaper were printed originally, a very small percent survived the years. They are classified as a type of ‘ephemera’ – meaning they were created with the intent that they would be thrown away shortly after being read [just like newspapers today].
  Newspapers printed before the last part of the 19th century were printed on paper with a high cotton or linen fiber content – which means that the pages sometimes still look nearly as bright as the day they were printed! [More recent papers are made from highly-acidic wood pulp, which allows them to discolor and become brittle quickly.]
  
  
• Historic Documents and Manuscripts
  Historical documents are one-of-a-kind. Handwritten documents and letters offer unique snapshots of history. Some people collect autographs of historical figures. Other collectors and scholars are particularly interested in the content of the documents. Documents are far more rare than newspapers, for example. Whereas there were tens of thousands of copies of a book or newspaper originally printed, a handwritten letter or note is truly one-of-a-kind.
  
  
• Rare Books
  People purchase rare and out-of-print books for multiple reasons. Some simply like to be able to say that they own a first edition Mark Twain novel, and keep it as an investment. Others buy out-of-print books simply to read or research. Some want books that provide nostalgic memories. Still others buy ‘pretty books’ that look charming on their shelves.
  
  
• Authenticity, Value, Assurance
  Because most of the items offered for sale in Enigma Rarities are either one-of-a-kind, historically important, rare, or ancient, people wonder if they are ‘real’. Yes, they are real and genuine. We guarantee it.
  Most people have only seen the types of items offered for sale in Enigma Rarities when they have visited museums. Even then, they were probably inside untouchable display cases or hanging on marble walls behind velvet ropes, with a security guard nearby.
  “Where did you get these things?” people often ask. David Clark’s favorite answer is to teasingly say: “At garage sales.” The truth is that they originate from around the globe. Some were purchased or traded from collectors, some from museums [yes, on occasion, museums sell their ‘surplus’], others from auctions, estate sales, or trusted dealers in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
  Some countries have laws regulating or restricting the export of antiquities. All antiquities in Enigma were obtained completely within legal parameters. Some were purchased directly from dealers or collectors in other countries that allow the export of ancient objects; many were purchased from estates and collectors in the US, who had gathered their collections before there were any antiquities or cultural preservation laws.
  Antiquities, art, historical newspapers and documents, and rare books all have very good long-term investment potential. ‘They aren’t making any more of them’ is how the saying goes. Prices in each of these collecting areas have considerably risen in the past 3 decades, and are expected to continue to gradually increase indefinitely. This means that while you and your friends and family are enjoying these treasures year after year, they are expected to increase in value.
     
• Enigma Rarities is located in the Main Street Historic District in Lexington, Missouri.
  The building in which the shoppe is located was rescued from advanced dilapidation, and restored to Victorian-era appearance. It was a featured part of the Historic Preservation Commission’s tour in 2008 as an example of the rescue and renovation of an “un-savable” late Victorian commercial building.

To learn more about historic Lexington, Missouri,
check out these links.