Donna Quixote

The musings of a disappointed idealist

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Lost & Found

A year or so ago, my friend David found a really touching inscription inside of a great NPR book that he picked up at a used bookstore. It was amazingly heart-felt and honest, this inscription from a son to a father. When we read it, we were of course very moved, and then we thought, "Oh no, I bet the father was ill, passed away, and someone just traded or gave the book away. How sad." And then it made us wonder how many other inscribed books are just sitting around waiting to be read and pondered? Well, we started searching for them in earnest a little while ago, scouring used bookshops, antique/thrift stores and the like. We're amazed at how many we've found so far!

The following posts contain a variety of books and inscriptions, and we’ll keep updating as the quest continues. Please have a look through them. I encourage you to share your own thoughts about them. And if you have found some inscriptions of your own, by all means, click here and share them! I’d love to be able to include them!

Thanks!

- Donna Q

Montcalm – The Marvelous Marquis by Meriwether Liston Lewis

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Montcalm - The Marvelous Marquis by Meriwether Liston Lewis
Montcalm – The Marvelous Marquis by Meriwether Liston Lewis

While we’ve run across a few books by renowned authors and totally missed that point initially, this one immediately (and incorrectly) brings to mind Meriwether Lewis of Lewis & Clark fame. But, alas, this book is not by or about THAT Meriwether Lewis. Rather, this 1961 work is about a 18th century French marquis who, apparently, was quite marvelous. Continue Reading

Mr. Jones, Meet the Master: Sermons and Prayers of Peter Marshall by Peter Marshall

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Mr. Jones, Meet the Master: Sermons and Prayers of Peter Marshall by Peter Marshall
Mr. Jones, Meet the Master: Sermons and Prayers of Peter Marshall by Peter Marshall

This book and its contents were a remarkable find for several reasons. The book was signed by the author (Peter Marshall) himself, and tucked inside the book we discovered a letter written by Mr. Marshall in 1947 discussing an invitation he received to join an organization in Washington D.C., as well as some bon mots about D.C. and Great Britain.  Then, on top of all that, the book bears a lovely tribute in the form of a 1951 inscription to a man named Frank Hart, to whom it is being gifted. Just very neat.
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Rupert Brooke A Memoir by Edward Marsh

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Rupert Brooke A Memoir by Edward Marsh
Rupert Brooke A Memoir by Edward Marsh

This book, its inscription and the article we found inside were a treat to discover, thus warranting a deeper look into Rupert Brooke. According to his Wikipedia listing, “Rupert Brooke (3 August 1887 – 23 April 1915) was an English poet known for his idealistic war sonnets written during the First World War, especially “The Soldier.” He also was known for his boyish good looks, which were said to have prompted the Irish poet W. B. Yeats to describe him as “the handsomest young man in England.” All of which goes to explain why the newspaper article we found folded up in the book discussed his planned memorial statue, and was quite lengthy and full of praise. We love the hand-written notes that are written on the article as well. One of them says, “May I have this back – sometime?” and the other simple states “The Observer – London about 1934.”
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