“A Dream Becomes a story!”

In 1959, as a senior in high school, I was enrolled in a theatrical reading competition. I opted to do a speech from Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. It is a long speech that deals with “his nose”. I loved the speech and hoped that one day, as I got into my acting career( a dream back then), one day I would get the opportunity to do the role. In seeking the script, I was unable to find a complete script, only what was termed a “side” ( just the lines of the character Cyrano). I wanted the entire script, so on a rainy Saturday when I was in the loop, I began my search in used book stores. After three stores, I found a pristine copy of the entire script, publish back in the previous century.- 1898.

The book was over 60 years old. It seems funny now to hear myself say that I paid 75 cents for this book. While this is a small amount today ( wouldn’t even buy a package of gum), back then, one could go to McDonalds, get a burger, order of fries and a shake.

I did the reading, and placed the book in my bottom dresser drawer. Over the years, no matter where I moved or lived, I had the book with me. Perhaps when I was moving about as an actor the book stayed in my parent’s home. That had to be the case, as I recall my kid brother using the book once to balance a table after he broke the leg. My mom also used it once to put on a table when a lady friend was coming over. I think she was trying to impress this lady with a “french ” book.

This book has lived with me through three weddings, raising two kids and a few step-kids along the way and lots of moves. Yet, the book has remained a part of my life.

Recently we moved to what we are terming is our FINAL home. No more moving. The next step is “ashes” ( that is another story), so I started to think about some antique dishes that Jane brought to our marriage and my BOOK! Could it have value? After all, the book is pristine and it is 123 years old!

I began my search. I know that today you can find, buy, or sell anything on the internet. So, I got my search engines started. I ended up in contact with one of the small community book stores ( there are not a lot of book stores left) in Grayslake Illinois. The name of the quaint shop is “This Old Book” and its owner’s name, Janet Elliott.

Via the internet, we touched base and arranged for the meeting to day. I scheduled this event over two weeks ago and for the time I waited anticipated what might take place. Could this be the only remaining copy of the book? Could there be a buyer who has been searching for decades in need of this edition to complete his Rostand library? Perhaps this book would bring me enough to buy a new car, or better yet, help one of my grandkids thru college.

Anticipation is a very special word. Its meaning is varied to different people but it is in many ways a word that we all love to use. The future will unfold, no matter what we do, it will take place, but for a few moments, I was in a heavenly position sure that this book would bring me “fame and fortune( or either)”.

This morning, I got in my car, clutching the plastic wrapped treasure that I was going to bring to Ms Elliott and exchange for the fortunes that have been waiting for me. I had not been to Center Street in Grayslake for years  I think back when I sold Buster Brown Children’s Clothing, around 1966 , was the last time. The area had changed, but was in fact still a quaint “small town”. I parked my car and walked down the street to the shop- This Old Book at 138 Center Street. Janet was setting up for the day and so I relaxed on the bench in front of the shop until the appointed meeting time, 10 a.m.

Slowly, I walked thru the front door and introduced myself to Ms. Elliott. Due to Covid, I kept my face mask on , but she could see my eyes and I am sure there was something emotional to see. I unwrapped my treasure and showed it to her. She seemed impressed about the condition and the age and I could feel the energy of the room ( so to speak). My treasure was real!

She stepped over to the computer and began her search. As a book dealer in rare treasures, she has access to all of those out there searching for treasures ( like mine).

Janet was pleasant and had a great smile. I was feeling really good.

A few minutes went by, and she came back to tell me that she had found that back in that period, printers did larger numbers than they even think of today, so there were lots of these printed that year. The value of this pristine volume could be anywhere from $6.25 to as much as $35.00

The air slowly left my “balloon”. No one was going to college on this. In fact, I doubt that a great ( or even good) dinner would come from this.

Janet turned to me and said that I should consider writing the story about this book and how it came to be in my possession for my grandkids and generations to follow. So, here it is! My story of the book that I have had with me since the age of 17 ( over 70 years) and what it has meant to me ( so far) and will to them in the future. The memory of their grandpa ( then great-grandpa) and his 75 cent investment.

If you have an old book, and think it might be your retirement, I suggest, before you plan how to spend it, that You contact her at thisoldbook1@att.net

or call her at 847-548-6951their site www.thisoldbook.com