Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Intriguing Enclosures

What do these three books have in common? Aside from the fact that I received them as used books, very little…except for the fact that I found within each of them something left by the previous owner. I actually love it when that happens, so much so that I’m tempted to plant things purposefully in books we give away.

Here are the intriguing enclosures I found within:

The watercolor class book contained part of a letter written in thin, spidery handwriting and signed by Lisa. I read the letter – no simple feat with that handwriting – and found a reference to the topic at hand: “Thanks for the water color paper it’s so nice to have the real stuff as the paint behaves totally differently.” And later Lisa adds, “I’m amazed at what I’ve been able to learn from a book. I’m just so impatient!” She tells her correspondent of their plans to go to Athens, and then to Paris, Naxos and ___ on the way to Turkey. From a reference she makes later, it sounds like she’s traveling with her Dad. I’m imagining that she’s writing to her sister, or maybe a best friend, someone who gave her the Watercolor Class book, knowing she was going on an interesting world tour where she’d be exposed to a lot of art. I hope Lisa got more out of that book than I did. I might ending up giving it away, too, passing Lisa’s letter on to the next person.

The King’s Daughter (which I just read for the first time and LOVED) had a name inside the cover telling me that it was previously owned by a fellow named Andy. The book contained a tiny piece of paper on which is neatly printed the German words: “Ich habe ein Frage.” Very intriguing! I googled it and found out it means “I have a question.” Then I turned the piece of paper over and found the neatly printed words “I have a question.” Ha ha! I have a question, too. Andy, did you put that in the book because it was appropriate to the content? Are you learning German and making little flashcards for yourself, one of which got made into a tiny bookmark? Questions abound, Andy!

Lastly, the Peanuts cartoon was found in The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party. Sally says to Charlie Brown “What are the words you hate most to hear?” Snoopy thinks his answer: “You stay home now and be a good dog.” Perhaps the previous owner of the book was a dog lover who found Snoopy’s thoughts to resonate strongly based on his/her own dog. Or maybe it was just a random comic strip that was readily at hand to use as a bookmark.

If you’re a curious person like me, these little oddments are like finding a tiny pieces of treasure. What kinds of things have you found in used books? Do tell!

I’ll probably stuff this in a book and give it away in the morning.