Your best story of finding/discovering/purchasing a book

[Dana Jean]

My best story about getting a rare book is a little different.

My mom's brother decided to research the family ancestry. The family records have been destroyed by fire twice....once by accident and once on purpose (to protect people). So, my uncle was researching by talking to people. Since my grandfather was a much loved and well respected man, a lot of the people he talked to asked for a copy of the family tree when he completed it. He ended up writing a book about his father and his ancestors and descendants. (I'm in the book ) someone had loaned the book to my dad, who let me borrow it. Nobody told me.....in the middle of the book were the dedication pictures. The youngest child, my mom, and the oldest child, my aunt that I was named after. Both died while he was researching the book so he dedicated it to both of them.

So, I hunted for a copy of the book, which was out of print. I found it in a museum which has books for genealogy research, but not for sale.

Pre-Internet days, so I sent a "letter-to-the-editor" of the newspaper of the city my grandfather had lived near. I got a package in the mail. It was from a guy working at the newspaper as a reporter. When the book was originally published, he had been working at the French newspaper and my uncle had sent him a copy of the book to write a review. He still had the book, so he sent it to me.

I actually ended up with two copies of the book, so I gave one to my sister.

I am so happy you each got a copy and how nice of the reporter guy to send you his copy.

 

[Neesy]

My best story about getting a rare book is a little different.

My mom's brother decided to research the family ancestry. The family records have been destroyed by fire twice....once by accident and once on purpose (to protect people). So, my uncle was researching by talking to people. Since my grandfather was a much loved and well respected man, a lot of the people he talked to asked for a copy of the family tree when he completed it. He ended up writing a book about his father and his ancestors and descendants. (I'm in the book ) someone had loaned the book to my dad, who let me borrow it. Nobody told me.....in the middle of the book were the dedication pictures. The youngest child, my mom, and the oldest child, my aunt that I was named after. Both died while he was researching the book so he dedicated it to both of them.

So, I hunted for a copy of the book, which was out of print. I found it in a museum which has books for genealogy research, but not for sale.

Pre-Internet days, so I sent a "letter-to-the-editor" of the newspaper of the city my grandfather had lived near. I got a package in the mail. It was from a guy working at the newspaper as a reporter. When the book was originally published, he had been working at the French newspaper and my uncle had sent him a copy of the book to write a review. He still had the book, so he sent it to me.

I actually ended up with two copies of the book, so I gave one to my sister.

That is a beautiful story and lucky you to get a copy of the book (and one for your sister too!) I think it is important to know about your family history. My Mom told us ours (from both sides of the family) but I believe there is nothing written down.
What a treasure that book is! I would keep it in a fire proof safe

 

[kingricefan]

My best story about getting a rare book is a little different.

My mom's brother decided to research the family ancestry. The family records have been destroyed by fire twice....once by accident and once on purpose (to protect people). So, my uncle was researching by talking to people. Since my grandfather was a much loved and well respected man, a lot of the people he talked to asked for a copy of the family tree when he completed it. He ended up writing a book about his father and his ancestors and descendants. (I'm in the book ) someone had loaned the book to my dad, who let me borrow it. Nobody told me.....in the middle of the book were the dedication pictures. The youngest child, my mom, and the oldest child, my aunt that I was named after. Both died while he was researching the book so he dedicated it to both of them.

So, I hunted for a copy of the book, which was out of print. I found it in a museum which has books for genealogy research, but not for sale.

Pre-Internet days, so I sent a "letter-to-the-editor" of the newspaper of the city my grandfather had lived near. I got a package in the mail. It was from a guy working at the newspaper as a reporter. When the book was originally published, he had been working at the French newspaper and my uncle had sent him a copy of the book to write a review. He still had the book, so he sent it to me.

I actually ended up with two copies of the book, so I gave one to my sister.

This is such a neat story! Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us!

 

[blunthead]

A friend of mine's favorite movie was Brewster McCloud. I knew it was based on a novel and I decided to find a used copy to give him as a gift. This was in the mid-70s, preGoogle, preApple Computer, preEverything except the writing of letters. I somehow managed to get info on how to locate a copy, and found it. It was in good shape and it included as well as the novel a copy of the movie screenplay. I don't know how much my friend really appreciated the effort (perhaps you've had friends like that), but it was a very satisfying accomplishment for me.