(no subject)
I've known about the book in the photograph for a long time. I've had it for several years. It's one of those books I've kept around to read later because it's one of those books you should read.
The first photo doesn't show quite how old this particular book is. However, the naked lady with a torch (or running torchbearer if you prefer) symbol and recognizable to many my age and old. It's a Modern Library book, and you can still find them by the bushel at used book stores, garage sales, flea markets and your Aunt Edna's attic or bookshelves. If you don't have an Aunt Edna, you probably have an Aunt Hortense or something similar. Work with me here.
Back to this particular copy. It's from the 1930's. I know this because Library Thing tells me so. I also know because of what I found inside, which I'll get to in a moment. As I mentioned earlier, I've had this book for a long time. It came from my grandparents and until yesterday had been resting on the shelf next to The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (another Modern Library copy) which also came from my Grandparents. I've read the book by Franklin, but it's been many years. I wish to do so again in the future, but I couldn't tell you how far or near that future maybe. But, I digress...or ramble. Your call.
What makes this particular book so special and precious to me is what I found inside.
Go ahead and click the picture to get a better view if you wish. I'll wait for you to come back....
Kitty...is my Grandmother. The book was a gift to my Granddad. What jumped off the page to me was the date. 11/15/1937
They were married in August of 1937, so what I have here is her first birthday gift to him as his wife. I am currently reading the book and it's sort of like having them both with me whilst I do so. It's a doozy of a secondhand gift, y'know?