One of Elise's birthday gifts was a hardback copy of The Secret Garden, illustrated by Tasha Tudor ($1). I am slowly collecting all the Tudor books for her (okay, also for myself). I love the sweet line drawings and the very old-fashioned ways that Tudor represents.My mom suggested, "Can't you get online and order everything from Ebay right now?"
I could. But what would be the fun in that?
Quick poll: when giving a special book, do you inscribe the cover page with a note, or leave it blank to protect its value?
21 comments:
Inscribe it!!!! The true value of a book, IMHO, is in its being read again and again and again. Elise will love this copy of The Secret Garden. I have the same edition on my shelves. Classic books are meant to be kept, not resold; so inscribe the book to your daughter! (sorry, books are one thing that I have a strong opinion about!)
One of my favorites!
I understand the dilemma.
Maybe you could have it both ways: "inscribe" the book via a lovely little note (on acid free paper) that you tuck inside the cover. Use images from book to illustrate it?
Or create a beautiful, inscribed bookmark intended for this book only (think what you might do with pressed flowers and illustrations from the book!).
If she decided to part with the collection some day she would still have the note or bookmark as a keepsake from her mother.
I haven't really given any great books like that to my kids. I buy old books, but I have 2 kids close in old age, so they are for both of them. Lots have already been inscribed by the previous owners. The only time I write in them is if they are loaning them out, then I just write our last name in them so the borrowers know where they came from (although that didn't stop one little girl from marking it out with pen and trying to keep it). Although I have a Little House on the Prarie book that just has a too/from and date from my mother, and it is precious, so maybe I should inscribe them. I think they will enjoy seeing that years later. Although the lovely bookmark is a nice idea, also.
Rebekah
On old books, I don't inscribe. On new books that I give to the little people in my life, I always inscribe. Bet that helped ya, huh? :P
I make my own bookmark, and place that in the book.
I always write - that a good book has precious memories and associations attached IS the value of it to me. If I ever bought a fantastically rare antiquarian book worth hundreds and hundreds I would not write in it, I suppose, but as that is not likely to happen I happily write away - usually quite lengthy sagas too!
I love reading the notes and details in old books, and think it is part of the charm.
Such a lovely book, btw. Lucky Elise! Have you seen the Lord's Prayer by TT? It is very sweet too.
I am known for giving books to everyone in the family, on any occasion, and sometimes just because that person "needs" that book. I inscribe them. One of my most precious possessions is the collection of books given to me by my favorite aunt, all inscribed in her beautiful handwriting. One of my sisters has shared with me that her children, when winnowing their possessions, refuse to give up any book inscribed by me, because the comments are always so personal to that child, and pertinent to the book and reason for giving it.
But that's just my opinion.
This is something I have been thinking about because I love to have special books that are inscribed with loving words. However, I gave a 2 year old a book last year, inscribed, and I could tell the parents weren't thrilled. For a collection (that you are keeping) from you to your daughter, I would inscribe it. I only inscribe special books to our children that I believe they might want to keep forever. Since they are less than 2 years apart and share everything, I decided not to put their names in most, but it is nice to let them have their own special books. If it is for someone you aren't sure will feel so sentimental, I like the idea of putting a note on sticker paper that can be stuck into the book IF they want it there. That is what I'm planning on doing. I used to have large squares of blank "stickers" for making your own. Now I need to find out where to get some. :)
I write in newer books, besides if it is a gift of sentimental value I don't want them to sell it and/or regift it one day! :)
Like someone mentioned above if it is very old or of antique value I leave it alone (usually).
My mother always inscribed the books she gave me, even the older editions, and I do the same. I think that for a special present, the sentimental value of the inscription should outweigh the future monetary value of the book.
(I also love Tasha Tudor. I was recently given a copy of The Corgyville Fair, which brought back wonderful memories.)
maryeliz
If I'm giving the book to my daughter or grandchildren, I inscribe it.
Otherwise, I like to write a note and put it in the book. I figure if they want to keep it, they can always tape the note in the front cover!
Sadly, sometimes the book means more to the giver than to the recipient.At Goodwill, I bought a beautiful copy of "The Secret Garden", that had a very heartfelt, written inscription, and a lovely needlepoint book mark, still inside. It made me feel badly for the giver. In an old book, I think a nice note, written on lovely paper, and tucked inside would be just as good as writing in the book.
We love Tasha Tudor, too!
We have a pretty big children's library at home and I don't usually write in them, but books I give as gifts I almost always inscribe.
I never inscribe books. For me, the sentimental part is the handwritten note included and the memory of reading the book. But I'm rather a minimalist when it comes to keepsakes. I'm greatly inspired by your creativity that you share on your blog, btw.
Gemma
It depends on the book. I tend to tuck a card inside because I don't care if my gift is re-gifted, I just want to please the giver and if I didn't, and if she's thrifty, more power to her for de-cluttering or making a little cash : )
personal quirk: I love FINDING vintage books with inscriptions in that lovely old Palmer handwriting method "To: Edith 1910". But I don't like finding newer titles (I'm currently collecting Peter Spier) that read something like "To: Madison, Easter 1997" and wish those had been left unscribed.
debbie
This was my favorite book growing up! I love the pictures. It was inscribed from my great-grandmother for my birthday. She is gone now and I love to read who gave me my treasured books. Definitely inscribe it!
I think inscriptions add to the sentimental value immensely. That said, I'm with Debbie--unless giving a gift to one's own child or similar intimate, one has no way of knowing if the recipient already has that book. So my own child, I often do inscribe; for gifts to others, I leave untouched.
As a huge Tasha Tudor fan, I'm in the process of collecting all of her books. Several of mine have come from yard sales.
i have this book saved from my childhood. also a child's garden of verses. they are precious!
I don't think an inscription lessens the value of a book. I love buying a book and finding one and reading who gave it and when and for what reason. Makes it more interesting to me.
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