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| One of many titles |
Scanning through old books at antique stores is something that gives me joy. Holding a well-used book and appreciating the hands that once turned pages fills me with happiness.
Sometimes I find a real winner, like The Ideas of a Plain Country Woman. The writer (The Country Contributor) preferred to remain anonymous, although she had written articles for Ladies Home Journal. Her observations and honesty are rare now, let alone in her times, circa 1909.
And other times my finds are true disappointments. The Farm Animals on Strike by A. H. E. Hoosier, published in 1923 by A.Flanagan Company, Chicago, Illinois, is one of these. I tried to read it, but the book was an ill-disguised lesson on proper treatment of farm animals. It was a book that could have been, but wasn't.
When the animals were speaking, it was entertaining. But the moment a human started dialogue, the sentences were blogged down in verbosity.
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| One of many titles. |
The thing is I truly wanted a real gem here, and in a way, I got more than I had hoped.
There is a library card pocket glued on the inside cover. Taken from Port Allen Library, librarian’s peculiar cursive states the author, title, and book number. The book was checked out on Feb. 5, 192-, by Jackie Forbes, followed by Patrice and Randy. Tucked into the book are two 3X5 index cards. One side of each has been mimeographed (remember that??) “Superintendent’s Check-Out Card”.
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| One of many titles |
The teacher, Hazel E. Pine, was clearly closing down the school year, doing the mundane paper work which required that every book be accounted for and returned. Necessary, but mundane work.
So, here I was, holding this old book. I went to an archived site (included beneath the pictures) and found a collection of educational books published by A. Flanagan and other publishers. Each book is accessible for on-line reading. Definitely worth checking out, especially Mistakes in Teaching.
Lined up on my own bookshelf are books from my folks and grandparents. Most are reading books while some are just old books from the late 1890s and early 1900s. They have seen some wear and tear, with library cards and scraps of bookmarks. Some even have samples of their handwriting.
Not exactly gems, but maybe a gold mine from the past?
This was posted 2 years ago. I re-posted it because I was touching caressing an old book just recently and it gave me such joy.
