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The Man in the Iron Mask
Alexandre Dumas, 1849-50
Dean and Son, UK, ~1960

Tales from the Decameron
Giovanni Boccaccio, written 1351-53
translated by Richard Aldington, 1930
Garden City Publishing, US, 1930

It’s OK to have a cartoon crush in your 50s when the character is also in her 50s, right?

Malenky, Vidma and I are all lounging directly in the path of the cool air from the air-conditioner (Vidma is under the chair I’m sitting on)

Rabbit, Run
John Updike, 1960
The Franklin Library, US, 1977
signed by author on third leaf

Gulliver’s Travels
Johnathan Swift, 1726
The Franklin Library, US, 1977
publishing editor’s note booklet included

The Scarlet Pimpernel
Baroness Orczy, 1905
Holder & Stoughton, UK, 71st edition November 1940
first leaf carefully ripped out (possibly to remove gift inscription)
Christmas sticker on last leaf

A Conrad Argosy
introduction by William McFee, 1942
illustrations by Hans Alexander Mueller, 1942
Joseph Conrad, written as noted:
“Youth”, 1998
“Heart of Darkness”, 1899
“The Nigger of Narcissus”, 1897
“Il Conde”, 1908
“Gaspar Ruiz”, 1904-05
“The Brute”, 1906
“Typhoon”, 1899-1902
“The Secret Sharer”, 1909
“Freya of the Seven Isles”, 1910-11
“The Secret Agent”, 1907
“The Duel”, 1908
“The End of the Tether”, 1902
“The Shadow-Line” 1917
“A Personal Record”, 1912
Doubleday, Doran and Company Inc., US, first edition 1942
Gift inscription on first leaf:
Jan. 28/46
“Rose Villa” Victoria B.C.
To: Ken
— Happy Birthday —
with love from Hilda
Seller’s sticker on first leaf: David Spencer Limited.

The Guns of Navarone
Alistair MacLean, 1957
Collins, UK, first edition 1957
first leaf carefully torn off, trace of inscription remaining (presumably a previous gift inscription)
gift note inserted:
To Bun,
Sixty years of love and affection, which no money can repay.
If you want fifty hours of braces, arm bands or ties, choose yourself.
If you want a new record, or it will help for your ten days holiday, but —don’t send it back.
With love and best wishes, your only sister Lell.

The Pilgrim’s Progress
John Bunyan, 1676
foreword by Pat Robertson, December 1977
Christian Broadcasting Network University Press, US, 700 Club edition 1978