The Three Little Sisters
Many of the books that come into stock contain personal dedications. Often, these are simple to/from messages but sometimes the dedication offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of the book.
To Karolinka Carolyn - who can pick flowers, and dance a little, too. Birthday Greetings from the Major. 1st January, 1944.
Something about that note makes me smile each time I read it. I have no idea who Karolinka Carolyn is, I don’t know what her relationship to ‘the major’ is or was, but it doesn't matter. The message speaks volumes.
Further Details here; The three little sisters a story from Poland by Lucyna Krzemieniecka
Have you ever found a book with a sad, sweet or funny dedication?
Don't these just make history come alive? Can't you just read the love in this? Don't you just want to watch her pick flowers and dance? Loved it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful message! I don't think anybody would write inscriptions like that these days. Reading it made me smile too.
ReplyDeleteThe saddest ones are from my dad and grandfather. My dad felt that you cannot give a book as a gift without a dedication of some sort--so I have quite a few books with his signature, but even sadder are the children books I received from my dad's dad who I never met and he also wrote cute little dates and greetings in the books.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile, too. Something about little girls, flowers and dances. What a sweet 'Major!'
ReplyDeleteI haven't come across any sweet and/or sad dedication, unless it's from the author/artist himself. (Okay, I think this is more of a preface/forward rather than a dedication to anyone in particular, but Bob Dylan's ramblings for Highway 61 Revisited made me quiver and laugh every time I read it.)
And Barbara, I want to thank you for your dear words on our latest blog post. They mean a lot to me. Your love for our posts means a lot to me. Always.
Donna, Yes to each of those questions!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give a lot more thought to gift inscriptions from now on. To/from, with love will no longer do!
ReplyDeleteI think that’s lovely! Even though you didn’t meet your dad’s dad you have something from him to you. I’ve only got a couple of books that my mum and dad wrote in but those are the ones that are most precious to me.
ReplyDeleteIt’s me that should be thanking you I love reading your posts. Now I need to find and read that preface!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this! One of my friends is Polish and his wife's name is Caroline- he always calls her Karolinka. It made me think of them. I have never heard of this book- but it looks like a great one. I love the inscription!
ReplyDelete~Jess
http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/
Hi Jess
ReplyDeleteThat’s amazing! I didn’t think anyone would actually know a ‘karolinka’ – how lovely. According to Google Karolinka is a variant of Caroline (Old German) and Karolina (Slavic). Is your friend old enough to have owned this book? I would love to return it to the original owner.