Go Forth, Pilgrim

This book is to a person named "Avanell", which I had never heard before. I looked it up on one of my favorite websites, Baby Name Wizard, and there wasn't even an entry for this name.

 

Inscription reads: "July 28, 1958. Happy Birthday to you. From Grandma. To Avanell."

In Bed We Cry

I love finding older books with inscriptions, especially ones published during World War II because they come with this or a similar message:

"This book is complete and unabridged, manufactured under wartime conditions in conformity with all government regulations controlling the use of paper and other materials."

 

Inscription reads: "To Betty with love - Jeanne. May 26 - 1944"

Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows

This is a little book of poetry by the poet from the 70's, Rod McKuen. The inscription is so simple, but so lovely.

 

Inscription reads: "for Gary, the one I love - Mavis"

How to live with your Special Child

The description of this book on the inside dust cover starts off like this, "George von Hilsheimer spanks kids, calls them brats instead of emotionally disturbed, and considers psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers the professional equivalent of palmists, tea leaf readers, and astrologers." Sounds like a fun read.

The inscription is a piece of paper taped to the inside cover, which is interesting, because the person that owned this book had no problem underlining what they considered relevant passages with a red pen.

This book also had a postcard that was being used as a bookmark. The postmark is August 25, 1968, but the date from the sender is March 24, 1968. It is no surprise that it took so long to get to the recipient though, seeing as it was addressed to just "Mrs. Bernice Sheffer, Nashua, Montana. No zip code and no street address. That is amazing.

 

 

 

Inscription reads: "Lerner - If only their waiting could be merely neutral if only they could sit there learning nothing. It's as cruel to bore a child as to beat him. He learns 90% by sound attitude and communication. How do teachers bear their tragic task? They look away."

Postcard reads: "March 24, 1968. Aloha. Having a grand time in Honolulu. Last lap of our trip. Bernice hope you can make this some day. Joan knows all the places to go. Beach is great. Have quite a tan. Be hard to settle down to quiet life again. Jo."

Vaikea Aika

This book is written in Finnish and so is the inscription. I had a heck of a time translating it, and I still couldn't figure out two words. So, if there is any Finnish people out there that can help me, please let me know the translation of the words, "asakseni" and "thanat".

 

Inscription reads: "15.8.1971. Kiitos kaikesta ystavallisyydesta, mita olen asakseni saanut. Thanat muistot jaa taalta! Tervetuloa Suomeen! Martta Pihlaja"

Translation: "Thank you for all the kindness, from what I asakseni received. Thanat share your memories here! Welcome to Finland! Martta Pihlaja"

e-mail from God For Teens

It looks like the inscription page provided by the publishers was filled out by the recipient and the giver of this book. I would hope that an adult would know how to spell Easter.

 

Inscription reads: "Presented to: Emily Sunken. Presented by: Adele - momcat. Date: Ester 2001."

Buy the Book New: E-Mail from God for Teens (E-Mail from God Series)

Classic Christianity

I find an overwhelming number of inscriptions in religious books. It almost feels like too many sometimes. Here is another. Sometimes I wish I would find books about occult with inscriptions. Or maybe a deck of Tarot cards with a personal message.

 

Inscription reads: "I pray you find the freedom in Christ in these pages as I have...Viki"

Buy the Book New: Classic Christianity: Life's Too Short to Miss the Real Thing