- Several years ago in a used bookstore in Columbus, Georgia, called “Beetlebinders” that now no longer exists, I found a very old book called Day Dreams.
- It took me a minute to figure out that the formless white shape on the cover was a genie being released from a lamp. Reading is a lot like rubbing the lamp.
- Day Dreams is an anthology of poems selected by Daphne Dale. One of my favorites (by an anonymous author) is titled “The Things in the Bottom Drawer.”
- It was published in 1892. For Christmas that same year, Ralph Davis’ mother gave this book to him as a present.
Fascinating. I’m a family historian in my other life and I have a fondness for old things. Don’t you wonder about Ralph and his mother? Like in that bottom drawer, what treasures are there in the past we’ve forgotten?
I do wonder about Ralph and his mother. And I love what you wrote about the past being like that bottom drawer. Nice.
What an absolute treasure, that book!
I miss the smell of old books and the bookstores I used to frequent as a young girl with my mom. There were always lots of cats there, curled up in corners…
Cats and little step stools–magical aren’t they? Thanks, Terresa.
I used to work at Beetlebinders when I was in college. That was the most enjoyable job I have ever had. The owner named Ed passed away, and they had to close down. I still think of him quite often. He was a wonderful friend. There were so many treasures to be found in that store. I came across your blog when I was searching for pictures of the store on Google. Seeing your blog definitely brought back some wonderful memories.
Hi, Jonathan. So cool that you used to work at Beetlebinders and nice to know it was a fun place to work. A friend of mine just started working in a bookstore in Vermont. And I agree about the treasures. I have books here and there that I found at the store. It’s possible I still have a postcard or two. Let me know if you’d like to have one. Thanks for leaving a comment.
I also found a copy of daydreams I paid 25cents for it I feel grateful to have such a wonderful piece of history
Patricia, so nice to connect with you around this book. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.