Forgotten Bookmarks: November 2008

Purple Ribbon Signifying Nothing

Small two-layer felt decoration with purple ribbon. Three inches wide.

Found in "Dangerous Acquaintances" by The Nonesuch Press, 1940.

Just Me and Dr. Evil

3 inch by 5 inch color photo.

Found in "The Death Artist" by Jonathan Santlofer, published by William Morrow, 2002.

Mickey

Black and white photograph, 3.5 inches by 5 inches.
Written on reverse: "Mickey"

Found in "Hank Aaron" by Bill Gutman, Grosset and Dunlap, 1973.

Father's Day

Notebook paper, 5 inches by 8 inches.

Dearest Dad,

It's June 19, 1994,

Father's Day.

I am so glad you can get some rest, now! These people are so good at what they do, and they know how to care for you.
I hope you will be able to get a bit better so we can still have good times, + make plans together.
Everyone asks about you and says to give you their greetings. Many are remembering you also in prayer.
It is very hot out today. In here it is cool and pleasant.
The flowers in the little basket are from Peggy's garden + ours. Mother always like poppies. So do we.

(next page)

Hi! It's June 21st! You are really sleepy but you smiled at me tonight. I came later, so that you might be awake. And you were! [sort of]
It's been cloudy today, off + on, + breezy. Storms threaten, but don't emerge. Sue has been visiting. She brought me a "personal pizza" + bread sticks for supper. [You + I] -> We went for a walk! That's a first! I'll have the TV turned on tomorrow. I'm so glad you're getting rested. People ask about you. I tell them you're resting, at the hospital for a while. I'm sure you'll have visitors before long.
We can go walking w/your Gerry-chair every time I come, if you like.
There's a room I saw down there, with flowers and a piano and lots of light. I'll investigate. Maybe you can visit there, too.

Found in "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway, published by Scribners, 1969.

Ed: There were several matching sheets of the same notepaper in the book, all blank.

Ticket to Fenway Park for the September 8th, 1979 game, Section 26, Box 149, Row LL, Seat 6.

Found in "Baseball and Other Matters in 1941" by Robert Creamer, Bison Books, 2000.

Ed: It was a day game against the Orioles back in 1979. Dennis Eckersley started for the Sox, Mike Flanagan for the Orioles. Eck went the distance but gave up 3 runs. Flanagan and the bullpen only gave up 2.

Another blog talks about bookmarks

From Anecdotal Evidence: A blog about the intersection of books and life.

People Love My Singing

May 31 + June 1

Dear Janice
the night I called it was raining cats + dogs and I had forgotten my umbrella... plus I didn't want the phone bill to be so terribly huge.
I won't refuse the care packages... and the cash is really vital just now to my survival.
I miss you... and love you and hope that you can understand the desperation I have been faced with too. My deep pain at circumstances beyond my control. I have just determined that I must stay here no matter what... and make a success of myself.
I found out through sources that Joel is living in Manhattan (near Mimi... with a "friend" and not so much in the music business anymore. So you see how much I was the whole business... he can't survive without my musical talents. (He's now in a business selling posters with a girl friend.
over -->
How are my beloved children? I miss them so very much. And I plan to come visit them when ever I can.
Which might not be too often bu I know you are giving them much love and care like your own children.
Please forgive Sam... she just wanted you to understand she is at times harsh... but that's because it's been so hard here. And everyone in the family rejected our love... Wilhelm was just an acquaintance who helped her when she was totally alone here trying to survive. She deserves to be understood too. I have to respect that she came alone at 19 to a strange country and with only money that she worked very hard to get... She refused help from her mother... her pride wouldn't permit her to take any... her mother is a widow too. But I unfortunately am not as strong as her... I had no choice
God knows it broke my hear to ask. But perhaps it had to be that way -
The paper that I had sent to you for your advice on was important as far as my getting any financial help from Joel and when it finally came down to a forced thing on his part I had very few alternatives.
But that's over now and I'm just trying to live a new life and to get started again.
I hope the cats are well + trust you are well... please remember I have a new mailing address and it shouldn't be given out to anyone til I know who it is, etc...
I don't want Joel bothering me - in any way.
I just want him forever out of my life. - please continue to send aid.
Do you think Grandfather would give me the money for my pics + resumes
I am not able to afford food... clothes or anything + I can get work as a singer if I have pics and resumes. People love my singing -
I need about 180 or so. Please let me know. I'm desperate and could you send me my ? + bags in the gold suit case + any other pertinent things.
I have to sing to get $$... + go to school P.T. Childrens books + illus. is my final decision... w/music
Love
Margaret

Found in "Jaws" by Peter Benchley, Doubleday & Co, 1974.

Souvenir of the Golden Jubilee

Souvenir card, 2.5 inches by 5 inches.
Illustrated front, printed on back:
1913 1963
Souvenir
of the
GOLDEN JUBILEE
of
Sister Edward Joseph

27/29 COPYRIGHT West-Germany

Found in "The Geology of Canadian Industrial Mineral Deposits" 1957.

No Chicks

Black and white photo, 5 inches by 3 inches.

Written on reverse: No 'chicks', Sept 1948

Found in "Three Gringos in Venezuela and Central America" by Richard Harding Davis, published by Harpers in 1903.

More Exciting Than The Paint Drying Museum

Color photo, 3.5 inches by 5 inches.

Found in "Buffalo Bill and the Wild West" by Henry Blackman Sell and Victor Weybright. Published by Signet Key, 1959.

Lucky

Four leaf clover.

Found in "Soldiers Three" by Rudyard Kipling, published by Caldwell, 1899.

Hey, if anyone needs some luck, email me using the contact form up top. I'll send this bookmark to you.

UPDATE: Well that didn't take long, we have a taker for the clover. Hope you enjoy it out in Burien, WA.

Don't Be Cruel

Last page of a letter. 5 inches by 8 inches.

...school ~~stat~~ starts the fourth of Sept. however football practice starts the 1. It's going to be rough the first year of football but I hope I can make it. How's fishing been lately. Well I have got to get to baseball practice, tonight is a big game with Delhi. See you later alligator.
Your Pal
Harry

P.S. How is Elvis
P.S.S. Don't be Cruel write soon

Found in "The Hidden Persuaders" by Vance Packard, published by McKay in 1957.

I Still Pick 'Em

Postcard, 5.5 inches by 3.5 inches. Printed on front: "I still pick 'em according to form."
No writing on reverse.

Found in "Roughing It, Volume II" by Mark Twain, published by Harper, 1913.

Sandwich in Bed

Polaroid color photo, 3 inches by 4.5 inches. No writing.

This one wasn't found in a book, I found it somewhere in Portland OR a few years ago and have held onto it since.

Under My Command

Heavy parchment, 8 inches by 4 inches, torn at bottom.

This certifies that James H Gano has this day appeared before me armed and equipped as required by by law and enlisted into a company of Light Infantry under my command
Plainfield Sept 13 1833
Dean Burgess, Capt

Found in "The American Museum or Repository of Ancient and Modern Fugitive Pieces, Prose and Poetical" edited and published by Mathew Carey, Philadelphia 1788.

Ed: I couldn't resist Googling these names. You will all be relieved to discover that Mr. James H. Gano, who was born in 1814, died many years later in 1904. Couldn't find much information about Mr. Burgess, unless the following passage from the Connecticut Geneaology site refers to him:

Military matters excited some attention. In 1799 the town voted to exempt from certain taxation all non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates who should equip themselves as to arms, clothing and accoutrements, and do military duty. Abel Andrus was at this time lieutenant colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment; Shubael Hutchins, first major; Reverend Joel Benedict, chaplain; Sessions Lester, quartermaster: George Middleton, paymaster; Doctor Johnson, of Westminster, surgeon; Daniel Gordon, surgeon's mate; Frederick Andrus, Aaron Crary, Samuel Douglas and Asa Burgess, captains of companies in the light infantry; Thomas and Daniel Wheeler and John Gordon, lieutenants and ensigns; Doctor Josiah Fuller, surgeon's mate of the cavalry regiment.

Of course this bookmark could be from an entirely different Plainfield. Either way, it is fun to think about.

Back Room Specialist

Advertising card, 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches.
Color illustration on front, on reverse:
ALBANY, N.Y.
46 NO. PEARL ST., BACK ROOM.
PROF. S.V.R. FORD , Specialist,
ON DISEASES OF THE SCALP AND HAIR

Found in "Blue Feather" by Zane Grey, paperback published by Manor, 1974.

Site updates

We have gotten a ton of traffic lately, thanks to all for visiting. I hope you are enjoying the stuff I find. I have a lot waiting to get posted, so if anyone has requests (letters, photos, old time stuff, etc) let me know.

An Anniversary Wish

Lovely anniverary card, high quality paper with silver gilt and silk ribbon. 5 inches by 6 inches.
Front cover: "An Anniversary Wish"
Printed inside:

May every page you've
turned together,
Each chapter you have shared,
The sunny days,
the rainy weather,
You've found as on you've fared

Be just a sort of
"author's preface"
That now you both review
To introduce the happy
chapters
Life holds in store
for you!

Written inside:
Dearest Alice + Hardin(?)-
October 7th 1935
---
My memory goes back with you to nine years ago - and as always you both have my best wishes for you anniversary and for (ed: continues on back cover) the year and years ahead of you both. May they be laden with all the joys and happiness, all the health and wealth, all the contentment, all the love that is yours to have to hold for all time and eternity. May God (?) for both His richest blessings on this day and for ever.
Ever with my hear full of love,
(?) Your Clara

Found in "Anna Karenina - Vol. II" by Lyof Tolstoi, printed by Thomas Y. Crowell, 1899.

Ed: Thanks for the help

Respect It

3.5 inch by 2 inch color photo.
Found in "Exploring The DaVinci Code" by Lee Strobel, paperback, published by Zondervan in 2006.

October 30-1 1904

Drawing on paper, writing on reverse. Dried flower attached.
Written on front: Farmer (?) OCTOBER 30-1 1904
On reverse: (ed: the paper is yellow and faded, I will do my best. If you see a mistake, let me know)
If dark be my way
Since he is my guide
Tis mine to obey
Tis his to provide
...selected
...Beautifull(sp)
July 29 05
6:10 AM
...From Frederick
April 16 1905
first B_bulis(?) I had seen this spring

Found in: "The Holy Bible, Containing The Old and New Testaments Translated out of Native Tongues" published by The American Bible Society, 1879.

Hopeful in Glasses

Color photo, 3.5 inches by 5 inches, in 6.5 inch by 4.5 inch frame. No writing.

Found in: "Reading The News" by Robert Karl Manoff and Michael Schudson. Published by Pantheon Books in1986.

Dear Mom and Dad

August 3, 1981

Dear Mom & Dad,
Well hello there. What's up with you guys today? I would just like you to know that I did not come home for the family reunion for a couple of reasons. One being that the only thing I knew about it was that it was August 1st. Another that our house was on a freeze and we couldn't go anywhere and the last thing either one of two stories I was told. I went to that foster home though. It was okay except for the fight I got into with Sue. Walt, the directer of this program, called and bitched her out for not doing anything for me and making me upset. She's been lying to everyone. This time she lied to the wrong people and got caught.

I told Walt that I wanted out of DFY custody. He told me that I would have to write him a letter asking this. If he said yes I could leave. If he said no then I could follow through with potisioning [sp] the court to terminate custody. I wrote him a letter and he got it Friday, July 31, 1981, he has 30 days to give me an answer. He told me that I would get an answer before 30 days either way.

I told him I would like to go live with Rick & Leta if I get DFY terminated. That way I can spend my weekends with you guys and go to school in Morris. Then after that I don't know what.

Everyone agree's I should be out of DFY Urban Home. So that's something. My discharge is waiting on where and when. Sue tells me one thing and Walt tells me another. I'm sick of it all. Hopefully I can be out of here in the next two weeks. Do you and dad mind if I live with Leta & Rich. When I went to visit the home it wasn't bad but I really don't want to live there. There's no soccer and the school is saying they want to terminate sports. I want to live with Leta & Rich so I can come into Oneonta to play soccer. Well I have to get going now because I'm at work. I've got $234.00 saved in the bank! I love you both very much.

Love & Kisses,
Laura-jean

P.S. Tell Joey to write me and tell everyone I love them very much. I may be coming to Oneonta this Friday. If I do I'll make a person to person call to Frances M.

I love ya both!

LA

P.S.S. Write me back + tell me how you feel or call! We're off the freeze!

Letter on yellow legal paper. Last names redacted.
Found in "Natural Color Processes" by Carlton E. Dunn, published by George Murphy, Inc, 1954.

Two Dolls and a Barn

Black and white photograph, 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches.
No writing on reverse.
Found in "Watermelon Pete" byElizabeth Gordon. Published in 1937 by Rand McNally.

Just Published!

Postal Card Advertisment, 3 inches by 5 inches. Postmarked Albany NY, Oct 30.
Written on Front: Henry Dauchen (?) Rockland NY

On reverse: Just Published!
Redfield's Surrogate Reports,
Vol2. Price, $4.00. Net cash price.
KEILEY ON INSOLVENT ASSIGNMENTS,
SECOND EDITION.
Including the Important Law of 1877, with Late Forms.
Price, $2.00. Net cash price.
BANKS & BROTHERS,
473 & 475 BROADWAY, ALBANY.
Will be Sent Free of Express Charge upon Receipt of Price

No date, presumed late 1870s or early 1880s.

Found in "Tarzan the Terrible" by Edgar Rice Burroughs, published by Grosset & Dunlap, 1921.