My Antique Library

I started collecting antique books a few years back, and have since been very lucky to inherit an established collection from my step-father-in-law last summer.

The thing I love most about old books are the words left in their margins. I find it fascinating that no matter how much things may change, some things tend to stay the same.

Today I want to share some of the older pieces from my collection, particularly the ones that stick out to me as little blips on the timeline of humanity.

Now, this is something I'm still working on verifying. The last name "Borden" may be familiar to anyone who knows of a famous double homicide that took place in Fall River, Massachusetts, 6 years after this copy was signed.

My father-in-law says that he is related to those Bordens, he also says he's related to a certain prolific poet from Massachusetts, but we'll talk more about that later, probably, maybe, perhaps... We'll see.

Anyways, I like this book because even though it's falling apart, it's in relatively good condition on the inside. It was clearly well-loved, and when I have the courage, I will try reading through it, though I do try to handle these books with care as much as possible to avoid them falling apart.

Being an English major, this one is near and dear to my heart. It's an English textbook from the Victorian Era, and it's in immaculate condition for its age.

I love this one very much for the little doodles drawn by Borden D. Billings, my step-father-in-law's grandfather...? Great-grandfather? I should probably ask him... (If it was his grandfather, then Borden's childhood books may be sitting up on a shelf that he, himself, built. Yes, the one pictured in the header image for this piece. I'm very lucky to have inherited such heirlooms, ones I'll continue to treasure.)

Either way, the train doodles are adorable, and boys have always been boys, haven't they? There are more Borden doodles to come, and I think people will get a kick out of them. I know I do.

The top copy was published in 1912, the bottom left copy was published sometime in the early 1900s with no explicit date attribution, but the bottom right... The bottom right copy is a verified 1852 first edition of Uncle Tom's Cabin, though I only have my hands on Volume II.

Were I to have Volume I, well, let's just say they'd be my most valuable books by hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars. I like these books because Uncle Tom's Cabin is such an important story in American history, with its widening the chasm between the North and the South in terms of their views on slavery upon publication. Though the context is much more complex than that and an essay for another day.

I just wanted to add this one because it's the oldest book on my shelf that I can verify. An 1840 Algebra Textbook that I will never look at past the front cover... Lol.

This one isn't very old, but I like that the ribbon has been bookmarking this page for who knows how many decards. Do I know why it's open on this page? No, I have no idea. I'm not even sure what a calling book is used for to be completely honest. But yeah, I guess this page must have been important to someone at some point in time. It's amazing how red that ribbon still is too.

Now on to my favorite topic... Victorian Era autograph books.

1885

To Millie Borden - - - -

Happy New Year + best wishes of

Mrs. T. E. T. Mosher*

Forgive me if I get some of this wrong. Cursive isn't my strong suit, but I will try my best to transcribe some of my favorite notes from this little book.

* this means I'm not sure if I've transcribed the word correctly.

To Millie

Some friends may wish thee free from eare,

others joy and wealth.

Some may wish thee blessings rare; long

life, and perfect health.

My wish for thee is better for than all

others have given;

That when you from this would depart

your soul may rest in Heaven.

August 9, 1888 Carrie A. Oshauder

Millie

In that blessed book above

Record of eternal love

May your name forever slaind*

Beautifully engraved by own saviour's hand.

Jan 12.th 1885 Anna L Kruse*

To Millie;

In memory's wreath may one

bud be entwined for me.

Your friend,

Jennie Oshauder

March 31st 1885.

To Millie

May just enough clouds be yours

To make a beautiful sunset.

Your loving friend,

Florence Burt

May 15, 1889

Millie:

May your joys and sorrows

Make you strong, lifes race to run,

Till the lips of smiling angels,

Greet you with the words, "Well done"

John A. Staudon*

To Millie

Patient waiting is often the highest

way of doing Gods will.

Your loving mother,

Sara Borden

April 12th 1886

There are few friends in this

wide world

Whose love is fond and true,

But, Millie when you count

them o'er

Place me among the few.

July 11th, 1888 H.* Robinson

May your road through life be one of

peace and happiness.

Your school-mate,

Fannie E. Moundy*

March 8, 1890

The thing I love most about these is the way they read as poetry for the most part. It probably says a lot about the society Millie was living in at the time as well, with the frequent mentions of God, God's word, and the way that people portray their well-wishes.

I'm beginning to think we should all start carrying around autograph books for little words of encouragement from the people we come across, no?

This next one may or may not be a treat, I'm not too sure. Perhaps, maybe, we'll see.

The cover of this book is unimpressive. It's a plain brown hardcover titled Whatley's Elements of Rhetoric. It's an English textbook of some sort published by Harper and Brothers out of New York. The only verification I have on its date is the "1844" written in pencil on that first page, but I did Google and it seems to have been published originally in 1833. If that's the case, this may be my oldest book, though unverifiably so.

The writing on that first page though, has me perplexed. My step-father-in-law does say he shares relation with the Emily Dickinson. Could this "Dickinson" signature be a relative of the prolific poet? I don't know, but it's the only word I can kind of make out on the page, which makes sense considering the book is nearly 200 years old at this point. The first word may be Emeline? Emeline Dickinson? Hmm...

I've tried to do some research to verify, to no avail. All I know about these books is they had been in the Massachusetts area for a long time and all I have is my step-father-in-law's word about his ancestry. That's truly all I've got on the matter. What do you think about it? Maybe a relative? Just a coincidence?

I'm going to end with some more doodle improvisions by Borden D. Billings.

Love Borden's use of the carrot to change Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Franklinstine.

My favorite doodle of all is the spill-the-beans joke that comes at the end of the ancient history textbook. There were also doodles in the margins of this book, which goes to show, school kids have been bored with their subject matter for a long time.

I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane at my little Antique Library. I may share more in the future. Thanks for reading!