Brother dear -

I spied this
delightful
thing at our
favorite haunt
(old Pippen’s!) and I couldn’t
resist getting it for you!
As I read along, I had the
persistent feeling that you
(and not Eugene Field!) had
written it!

Happy reading, dear one!

Devotedly,
Weesie

Jan. 12, 1912.

The Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac by Eugene Field.

Thanks to Jim Kuhn, who says:

“Old Pippen’s Book Store was a Baltimore shop at 605 North Eutaw St. The amiably psychotic
ramblings of Field are a real treat. Here’s a favorite passage from p. 97-8 of this copy: ‘…
Too few people seem to realize that books have feelings. But if I know one thing better than
another I know this, that my books know me and love me. When of a morning I awaken I cast
my eyes about my room to see how fare my beloved treaures, and as I cry cheerily to them,
“Good-day to you, sweet friends,” how lovingly they beam upon me, and how glad they are
that my repose has been unbroken. …’ The full edition can be found online here.

This was a gift to me last year from Mom (thanks Ma!) who found it at an antique shop in Sussex
County, NJ. Now one of my favorite flyleafs of all time.”

cheers,
Jim.