Sunday, August 16, 2009

The Eye of the Beholder

SouthernHospThriftyTreasurescopy

     It’s Monday again and time for Rhoda’s Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality. One of my favorite, recent finds at the flea market proves it really is all in the eye of the beholder.

     I found this, sitting out in the dirt in a pile of other people’s junk, and I just couldn’t resist.     IMGP0092

     Originally published in 1948, it is a Reader’s Encyclopedia that includes all sorts of explanations of literary references and allusions. While reading the preface I learned the editor’s intention in compiling such a book,

“I have tried to maintain balance and proportion between the modern world and the world of antiquity.”

     He was one of us! He loved the old and the new!

     As I place old, wonderful things in my cabinets or share them with my daughters, am I not doing the same thing- balancing the modern world and the world of antiquity?

     If one morning while having coffee,  you were dying to know how ‘friars’ played a role in important literature, just turn to page 371.

IMGP0093

     Remember Romeo and Juliet? Friar Laurence got himself into a real jam through aiding and abetting historically famous star-crossed lovers. 

     Books like this really float my boat.  Someone devoted their professional life to researching, writing, editing, and alphabetizing (not an easy task prior to word processing programs) 1118 pages of literary information for our reading knowledge and pleasure.  Bless his (the editor’s) heart.

     And finally- I love books like this because of their weight. When I leaned over and rescued it from the dirt, I almost said ‘ahhh’ as I felt its importance.

     Price?  $1.00.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

So glad you are a book whisperer! Many authors will thank you... especially those that never make the best seller lists.
Karen

Martha said...

What a deal --

Beth in NC said...

Oh what a neat find! I'm glad you rescued it!

Joy Tilton said...

How true, it's amazing to me how someone can let a treasure slip through their hands. We've had the kids here the past two weeks with little time to blog other than post, I've missed it!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

When you think about it, like you said, sorting, alphabetizing, etc., without word processing...all that hard work only for the book to wind up in a pile of junk. Thank goodness you rescued this treasure.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, I love old books too. Good for you for rescuing this one.

trash talk said...

Only a aficionado of words would spot this book in the dirt...anybody else would see a doorstop! Wonderful find and I bet if you figured it by the pound...well it boggles the mind!
Debbie

Its So Very Cheri said...

What a thrifty rescue.
Come for a visit.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri

Kelli said...

Fabulous find!!

Unknown said...

great score!

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Very cute and funny too.

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

Great old book, and a fantastic price!

 

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