guardian.co.uk on tumblr
  1. Photo

    | 109 notes
    The secret histories of secondhand books
The personal dedications one finds in secondhand books are often as  fascinating as the text. In honour of this, we’re starting a new series  showcasing my most intriguing finds.
This first is written in the front of A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor: From Safei to Dad. The inscription reads:

25/4/88
Dear Dad,
According to Mum (alias the Guru of the  Postal Rates) the best way to send a book is as Printed Matter, but  then it can’t include a letter – hence this method.
I enjoyed this  book (and its sequel) a ‘lot.’ While I was reading them, I thought of  you, and wondered what memories you have of any of the times and places  he describes. Of course this world, (of central Europe as it was in  19??) vanished before I was born. The mixture of the author’s  experiences of it at age 18 and his reflections now (or at any rate in  1978) on a world it is impossible to re-visit, give the book an usual  texture, I think.
Don’t feel obliged to read it if it doesn’t “grab” you. You can view this as a short letter with 300 pages attached.
Lots of love
Safei

If you want to get involved go here. Find out more here.

    The secret histories of secondhand books

    The personal dedications one finds in secondhand books are often as fascinating as the text. In honour of this, we’re starting a new series showcasing my most intriguing finds.

    This first is written in the front of A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor: From Safei to Dad. The inscription reads:

    25/4/88

    Dear Dad,

    According to Mum (alias the Guru of the Postal Rates) the best way to send a book is as Printed Matter, but then it can’t include a letter – hence this method.

    I enjoyed this book (and its sequel) a ‘lot.’ While I was reading them, I thought of you, and wondered what memories you have of any of the times and places he describes. Of course this world, (of central Europe as it was in 19??) vanished before I was born. The mixture of the author’s experiences of it at age 18 and his reflections now (or at any rate in 1978) on a world it is impossible to re-visit, give the book an usual texture, I think.

    Don’t feel obliged to read it if it doesn’t “grab” you. You can view this as a short letter with 300 pages attached.

    Lots of love

    Safei

    If you want to get involved go here. Find out more here.

    (Source: )

    1. heidy-tj-troglen288 reblogged this from bookpatrol
    2. lwlmthompson reblogged this from guardian
    3. ddreamm reblogged this from stardustmelody
    4. chobeo reblogged this from guardian
    5. ebertram reblogged this from guardian
    6. rinsquared reblogged this from guardian
    7. libraryofdds reblogged this from guardian
    8. exastris reblogged this from guardian
    9. sarahstocracy reblogged this from guardian
    10. ohwhatasoul reblogged this from guardian
    11. iambeelzebub reblogged this from guardian
    12. misscarousel reblogged this from errolivio
    13. ginamak reblogged this from guardian and added:
      Oh my. I get ever so slightly obsessed by this sort of thing.
    14. justdonttellthesquirrels reblogged this from bookpatrol
    15. bookpatrol reblogged this from guardian
    16. justwidle reblogged this from guardian
    17. kristensquire reblogged this from guardian

About

A selection of stories, photos, quotes, video and audio from guardian.co.uk, curated by Stephen Abbott, Laura Oliver, James Walsh, Hannah Waldram and the Guardian's editorial team

People we follow

Stuff we like

Follow the Guardian on Twitter