Chip
Merry Christmas 1996
Spies and insurance
people
Nobody wants to
acknowledge or hear from
them until there is trouble
D

The Tailor of Panama by John LeCarre

Thank you to Dave, who found the inscription in a Denver thrift store and says,
“The Tailor of Panama always reminds me of the fairy tale ‘Brave Little Tailor‘.
In both cases, remarks by the tailor are misunderstood as describing deeds
greater than the truth, and the story snowballs into a great adventure.”

-1979-
Merry Christmas!
I thought when you
were feeling ambitious – you
might like to try some of these
(and then invite us over for a taste!)
Bon appetit.
Love,
Candy

The Desserts Cookbook

Found at A Castle of Books

for our Emma-
with love and the
hopes that you
will find its lessons
instructive
-Mom and Dad

Emma by Jane Austen

Thank you to Annie, who says, “I found this message very sweet, and I can’t help
wonder who Emma is, or was–as the book is from the 1970s, and was probably
meant for a teenager. She’s probably all grown up now. I wonder what
circumstances ended up with her giving the book away.”

Kate
From Ruth, Hardy, Meridith

This book is to be given to Tony
A small expression of my appreciation of
his wonderful treatment of my niece
Nancy K.

With Love,
Aunt Kate, ‘94

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

To my Belle,

I love you more
then words can describe.
Being with you is more
inspiring then all the
poems in the world.

Love Ma

Happy Birthday
&
Anniversary

I love you
very much

Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Thank you to Jessica.

see back of book for info

Dr. Walter
Hope Sound, Fla.
1963

Maybe Palmistry is only a hoax – but
it’s proven true in the reading of the
lines etc. in my hands. My life line
extends clear & deep down to wrist – will
it also prove true to its meaning?
long life-? is indicated – but let’s
watch – wait – live & see if this important
part of the Palmistry story is true.
I was born Jan. 6, 1899- will I go on now another
30 big years????

Palmistry Explained by Pearl L. Raymond

Found in A Castle of Books.

Pâques 1985,
Fête qui restera gravé dans nos
mémoires, à cause de l’apparition inopinée
d’un PHANTHOM II FH.B !
Après l’apparition de cet aéroplane fantomatique
je te dois au moins une radicale ! Avec un échange
aussi avantageux, je pense que tu ne pourras refuser, ou alors
c’est aussi un PHANTOM !
Je t’aime.
C.S.

(translated)

Easter 1985,
A holiday that will remain engraved in our
memories, because of the unexpected apparition
of a PHANTHOM II FH.B!
After the apparition of this ghostly airplane
I owe you at least a radical! With such an advantageous exchange
I think you cannot refuse, or else
it’s also a PHANTHOM!
I love you,
C.S.

Chateauvallon by Eliane Roche

Thank you to Julie, who says, “I don’t know what the sentence ‘I owe you
a radical’ means… (’radical’ should be an adjective, but here it is used as a
noun…) Quite mysterious! As mysterious as this ghostly plane.
I found this book in the Boulinier bookshop.”

Thank you to everyone who has visited the site, and especially those who have found and submitted inscriptions.

The most viewed inscription since the site was launched: Through the Eyes of a Girl

Please keep sending us new inscriptions. Check your local used book stores, thrift shops, and libraries. Every book’s got a second story.

I CHERISH MY BOOKS,
AS I DO MY FRIENDS,
ASKING ONLY THAT YOU
TREAT THEM WELL, AND
SEE THEM SAFELY HOME.

SUZANNE

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Thank you to Sam, who bought this book in a thrift store in Mission, British Columbia.

Property of
GR Mason

Presented to him by
Ethel M. Dell + is valued
by him as a keepsake.
Bring it back if you should
have the nerve to borrow it
from him.

Ethel M. Dell
Mr. Jimme

OK Keed

(next page)

Hello Darling
Hello Honey
” Sweetheart.

The Gate Marked “Private” by Ethel M. Dell

Found at A Castle of Books

This one & only – so – pretty & sleek &
intelligent looking dictionary belongs
to ME & only ME!!

Angelene
JAN 2004

The Penguin Concise English Dictionary

Thank you to Elaine, who says, “I really love your website. Good job.

Found this book a couple of weeks ago in a Good Sammy’s (thrift shop) in Perth, Australia.

I thought people only inscribed novels and bibles etc, I never thought anyone could ever inscribe a dictionary so passionately. This girl must have loved her vocabulary.
I think it’s sweet and I keep it on my coffee table.

FYI I have a blog“

Tues. May 27th 1930.

R. Harries from E. Harland Duckworth.
To remind you of an afternoon on
the banks of the Severn when we
heard the nightingale at a time
when we both required a little
courage.

Courage by J.M. Barrie

Thank you to Shane of Tarrington Books, who says, “This book came from the library of Harries and I think Duckworth was probably his former school science master. The two published a book together in 1933 called ‘The Laboratory Workshop’. We come across things like this all the time when running a bookshop. The book has no intrinsic value and the story would normally be lost, so I’m very glad to able to share it.”