What’s the strangest thing you ever found in a book? (noctslackv2.wordpress.com)

Article summary

The author recounts a story of buying a pallet of old books at a Salvation Army auction for $1 and discovering a treasure trove of valuable books, including some from Cornell University. While going through the books, the author found a dentist appointment card with the name and contact information of a man named Charles Lounsbury. The author contacted Lounsbury, and they became friends, with Lounsbury eventually reclaiming some of his old books. The story highlights the unexpected connections that can be made through old books.

Main themes

• old books
• auctions
• personal connections
• valuable items
• emotional value
• book collecting
• rare books
• auction strategies

What commenters say

• The value of old books can be significant, but it's often difficult to determine their worth without expert knowledge.
• The story is more about the personal connection made through the books than their monetary value.
• Some commenters have had similar experiences of finding interesting or valuable items in old books or at auctions.
• The auctioneer's decision to start the bidding at $1 was likely due to a lack of interest from the crowd, rather than a deliberate attempt to undervalue the books.
• The discovery of valuable or interesting items in old books can be a thrilling experience, but it's not always about the money.
• The story has inspired some commenters to think about leaving notes or other items in books for future readers to find.
• The value of a book is not always determined by its rarity or age, but also by its condition, demand, and other factors.
• The discussion has also touched on the topic of the emotional value of books and the connections they can facilitate between people.