Sunday, August 10, 2008

Little Treasure


I picked up a lovely little treasure today. A leather bound first edition
of Renascence and Other Poems, 1917, by Edna St. Vincent Millay,
in one of the secondhand bookstores I frequently visit. It is extra
special because it is charmingly signed with the above romantic
inscription by "Ray", which I think is so beautiful. It brings to mind
Almasy's copy of Herodotus's The Histories in The English Patient.

25 comments:

  1. Have a great week Willow. Nice photo's btw.

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  2. Be still my beating heart! What an inscription!

    Nice "little treasure" indeed. Enjoy.

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  3. And no idea who Ray is?? I'm glad the book, which was an obvious treasure to it's recipient, has found a safe home with you!

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  4. That is a neat find! I think that inscription is just lovely!

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  5. I have no idea who this Ray is, but his inscription is just too, too beautiful. What a writer he was. And so romantic. Sigh.

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  6. Wow, how wonderfully romantic. So glad it's found you after all this time bobbing around bookstores. I wish someone would write those words to me. Sigh....

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  7. Ah Willow....I love this post...you do have an eye for lovely treasures. A romantic fellow, this Ray...

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  8. My heart is a-flutter after reading that inscription. I'll be on the fainting couch if anyone needs me. Lovely post Willow!
    Cynthia

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  9. Ah, you needs must delve further into the mysterious "Ray". What a find!
    Don't you love that book that Almasy carries? Upon watching the film, I located a literature anthology and started cramming it with various mementoes. Such a romantic!

    P.S. Willow, I'm so glad you enjoyed The Gathering Storm. I only wish there were a sequel.

    Kat

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  10. Willow,
    What a great find and with such a romantic personal touch. Good for you!!
    The Bach

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  11. Why would anyone let go of such a book? What a neat find.

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  12. Ces, when I come across such a personal item like this at a flea market or wherever, I always wonder why it's not a treasured item of a son, daughter or grandchild.

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  13. Wow--what a beautiful book, and sort of sad that someone no longer has this treasure, but if you're like me, you'll find great pleasure knowing you rescued it and I am content knowing it's in good hands now! Great accompanying photo of R.F.

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  14. Beautiful inscription .. great find .. and I believe I am the only living person who admits they LOVED The English Patient!

    :-Daryl

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  15. I've swooned out of my chair!

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  16. Hello, Willow, back from my camping to gorgeous Dorset and what do I find? 'The English Patient'. One of my favourite books from the last fifteen years.

    Excellent dedication. I sometimes think that when the last e-mail has been sent and the last blackberry has been switched off we will realise that we have left nothing for the next generation except electronic debris.

    Greetings from London.

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  17. Cuban, welcome back the the bloggyhood and hope you are refreshed from your lovely trip.

    Alas, I'm afraid you might be right. I still try to send loved ones hand written note and cards, just for that very reason.

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  18. I loved The English Patient! What a lovely inscription...

    Thanks for sharing - makes me realize there's more to life than words...

    Madison

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  19. What a treasure in that inscription from "Ray" and seeing this image from The English Patient is just perfect for this post...Lovely!

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  20. I love poetry...what a beautiful find!

    PS I forgot to tell you that when I took that trip to Starved Rock, there is a little cottage there called "The Willows". :)

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  21. Willow, this is just beautiful. I love hunting for little treasures like this. What a find! Don't you feel like you have discovered a piece of romantic history? Oh, to be written to in this fashion... And Ralph Fiennes? Be still my beating heart...

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  22. Suza, yes! A piece of romantic history! I collect old volumes of Millay, anyway, but when I pulled this one from the shelf and saw the inscription, I had to have it.

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  23. I am so glad a book with this achingly beautiful inscription found a home with you!

    I loved reading "The English Patient", my favorite part is when the hereo reads to his lover aloud from Horace. I have read the book more than once. I enjoyed the movie for the great cinematography, and Ralph Fiennes, of course. ;-)

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  24. These were the things that bounded me;
    And I could touch them with my hand,
    Almost, I thought, from where I stand.
    And all at once things seemed so small
    My breath came short, and scarce at all.

    that's the way i would have felt had i found this book

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  25. Willow,

    THis is an old one I know, but I was surfing the net trying to find a nice picture of Ralph Fiennes in the English Patient and ended up here. Anyway, onward.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)