The Living Races of Man

This particular book was owned by at least two people in the past, both seemingly very possessive of their books. One owner was a Ralph J. Templin, with one handwritten name and address, two stamps with name and address and one sticker with name and address. The other owner was Loren Meece, who added a book plate warning borrowers of the book of contempt if the book was returned damaged, or worse yet, not returned at all.

I wonder how Loren's precious book ended up at a thrift store.

But the best part of this particular inscription is the subtitle of the book, on the inside cover, hand-written. "Do not neglect the pygmy."






Inscription #1 reads, "Property Ralph J Templin" address listed - traveled from Helena, Montana

Inscription #2 reads, "My books are my companions, my friends. Contemptible, in my mind, is he who borrows and misuses, or never returns them. Loren E. Meece."

Inscription #3 reads, "This one being given to L. Meece."

Inscription #4 reads, "Do not neglect the pygmy."

The Bible - The Amazing Book - Basic Bible Facts For Children

This is my first Bible or Bible related book post. I have several books with religious themes that have inscriptions, which I find interesting. Is it the nature of the stories that inspire people to inscribe a book with love and devotion? Or is it such a personal gift that one hopes it will be cherished forever? I can only wonder.

This particular book was given to Timothy Paul on his 3rd birthday. He would be 24 years old now.



Inscriptions reads, "2/2/88. To Timothy Paul on his 3rd birthday with our love and prayers. Ammie and Grandpa Nick."

A Fly Went By

This isn't actually a Lonesome Book. This book was given to my son by my mom for Yule 2008. (That's what she calls Christmas.)

The story behind the book is when I was a teenager, it was my job to read to my little brother, who is 11 years younger than me, before bed every night. His favorite book in the world is, "A Fly Went By". I read this book literally hundreds of times. To say that I hate this book would not even cover my feelings adequately.

My mom knows how I feel about this book and decides to give a copy to my son. Because she knows that since she inscribed it, I will never get rid of it or give it away, but I can hide it!



Inscription reads, "Yule 2008. Hi Henry, I hope you love this book - I do! Lots of kisses, Grandma Kirah."

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A Fly Went By

The Boy Who Loved Birds

This book doesn't have a personal inscription, but it is signed by both the author and the artist.

Every book that I find with an inscription makes me wonder about the story that inspired that particular inscription. It's probably boring and pathetic, but when it comes to books, I always imagine something with much more love and respect.

Sometimes when I'm at the thrift store, I go and look at picture frames. Often, there will be pictures of people still in the frames. Not the models that come on cheap paper, but studio pictures with the photographer's name embossed in the corner of the picture. It's always surprising, even though I've witnessed this on countless occasions. Someone went through their own things or a family member or friend's things, and decided to take all their stuff to the thrift store, without removing the pictures from the frames.

If people really do leave a part of their soul behind in every picture, then there is a lot of lost souls wandering around the Goodwill.

It feels the same to me with book inscriptions...someone decided to write a message in a book, regardless of motive, and now that message is out there for whoever to see, a tiny part of their soul just wandering in cyberspace, or at the library book sale, or the thrift store.

And every time an author or illustrator signs a book that they labored over, they give a piece of themselves to the reader, not just with their name signed in Sharpie, but with the story we have been given.


Inscriptions reads, "Sweet Dreams, Libby, 2007. George Carruth, 2007."

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The Boy Who Loved Birds

Halloween

Who knew that Jerry Seinfeld wrote a Children's book? The book is based on a comedy routine that Seinfeld performed.



Inscriptions reads, "For Gabriel, from Judy and Samantha."

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Halloween

Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes

I don't imagine that anyone is expecting a child to cherish a book that is meant for a 2 or 3-year-old forever. This particular book had such beautiful, flowery writing that it was worth rescuing. I suppose the intended recipient for this book is probably a 10-year-old by now.

I hope that someone read this book over and over to that little child and that somewhere in her mind she remembers how nice it was.



Inscriptions reads, "To Nina. Love, Aunt Mandy, Uncle Jason and Avie. Christmas 2003. We Love You!"

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Eyes, Nose, Fingers, and Toes

A is for artist

This book was a special purchase. The book is available for purchase from stores, but this particular book was sold at the Getty Museum. I like to imagine that the person buying this book was looking for the perfect gift for their grandchild.

Each page in the book is a painting and the letters of the alphabet are taken from the painting. It is a beautiful book and a wonderful gift for a child.



Inscription reads, "For Maggie Wall from Grandma Day. March 1999."

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A Is for Artist: A Getty Museum Alphabet