Unexpected inserts in a book

                                    Unexpected inserts in a book

When you borrow a book from a library or a friend, occasionally you may find some slips of paper like some cash receipt, slip of paper containing some address or phone number etc. They are left in the books as a temporary book mark and forgotten. The book might have been used as a carrier / courier / container for temporary transit. Such unexpected or unwanted inserts may have interesting stories to tell.

 Some inserts I have seen in some books are:

                        Library Fine receipt

Cinema ticket

Bus / train ticket

Cash memo of purchases

Envelope forgotten to be posted

Love letter to potential target

bookcrossing label

Dhobi / laundry slip

Shopping list

regular book marks

Wedding invitations

Greeting cards

Dried tree leaf

Dried flowers

Peacock feather

other bird’s feather

Nylon thread / wire

Scented strips

Playing card

Slips betraying PIN Password

Coded message to a girlfriend

Notes on book content

Agenda 4 meetings  

calculations

Appointments    

I once asked a bibliopole – second hand / rare book dealer – enquiring what inserts he finds in the books that are sold to him. He narrated a story an old one rupee note that fetched him a lot of money. I remember reading that a one rupee note of 1935 Signed by Governor Kelly is worth Rupees seven lakhs! Therefore, it is worthwhile checking twice before selling away old books!

If you dwell upon such inserts with specific reference to the person from you got the book or from whom your book was returned, you may discern many secrets. Guesswork is not only mind engaging with an element of detective spirit, but also test-worthy: after all, all minds think like, don’t they?

 

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