I am currently reading a book of Wordsworth’s poetry which was published 91 years ago, in 1921. The wonderful thing about reading old, vintage books is knowing that other people have read them before. It might be nice to buy new books from commercial stores, to smell the crisp pages of fresh ink, but what’s the point? It’s not helping anyone, especially not the trees. I found this one in a local Red Cross charity shop and bought it for £1. You can find the same books in charity shops for a tenth of the price than in a normal bookshop and they look way better on your bookshelf at home. Although it may be a bit worn around the edges (this one has been battered quite a bit), you know that your book has been loved.
It’s not just the words of ink inside which tell stories, it’s the cover, too. Books sit on shelves for hundreds of years in the same room, in the same library. They watch children turn into adults and generations pass by; they travel around the world in bags, backpacks and suitcases and they are read again and again by all sorts of people, at all sorts of times. Some are the sources of happiness, sadness or even self-realisation.
My 91 year-old book has sat on a shelf through WWII, the entirety of the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the elections of 22 British Prime Ministers, the opening of the second millennium, the landing of the first man on the Moon, the invention of Penicillin and more…
Go on, go to your local charity bookstore and search for a gem like this one. You’ll feel sanguine.
STL.
Somersaulting Through Life 
Well, you have two stories in your hand – the literature and the history of the book. Take good care of it!
I shall, thank you!
I’m also a book collector. My oldest book was publish in 1926! No so old as yours! Its name is “Memórias dos dias findos” (in english: Memories of the ended days). One day, i will post about it! :)
That sounds interesting! Vintage books are great… :)
I love imagining the history of my old books. They come with built in character.
Couldn’t have put it better myself! Thanks for stopping by, I’ll make sure to check out your blog, too. :)
Don’t forget that old book smell too! Its got a beautiful cover – a real find!
xxx
There’s nothing quite like that dusty smell of old books, you’re right! Thank you and thanks for stopping by! :)
I love old books! Though the mustiness does a number on my allergies, it’s totally worth it. :)
Haha :P The other problem is mould – this isn’t so much of a problem if you’ve kept good care of them; however, if you pick a book up in a charity shop (like this one I’m reading) and it is mouldy, then you have to keep it separately from everything else so that it doesn’t spread :(
It is good to see you enjoying Wordsworth. Perhaps a trip to the Lakes to see what he wrote about is next on the card? We spend lots of our time looking for old and second hand books on the Lakes and its history. Not found a bargain like yours though yet!
Thanks for the thought, I’ll make sure to visit your Wordsworth walk if I’m ever in the area. Good luck with the rest of your bargain hunting! :)
That book looks pleasantly worn and warm. There is something to the feel of a physical thing that has stood the test of time and still has useful information to share. This kind of thing is becoming less frequent in a digital world.
In the Fortress we have a “Modern Eloquence vol. VI” published in 1900″. It has real olde school, high quality appeal. So we understand the thoughts evoked by your well worded post.
Thanks very much for your compliments, I’m glad that you can relate. If I had my way, all libraries would have shelves filled with old, dusty books. If there are no cobwebs, it’s not a legitimate library!
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Wow! I’m jealous! And I’m proud of owning the first Harry Potter book for 7 years of my life!
Long live Harry Potter :D
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