OLD BOOKS

I love old books. The older the better. Not just old stories, but the books themselves. I have a small collection of antique books with the newest book printed in 1903. My oldest book was printed in 1826.

Unfortunately, unlike other antiques, books do not usually retain monetary value. One blemish, a gift signature by anyone other than the author, a loose binding, or yellowing pages will devalue the average book. But who cares? Not me.

In my opinion, older stories are much more creative, even the murder mysteries. I find that today we're more likely to find brutality and vulgarity has replaced creative language skills and the imagination of the authors of yesterday. But, that's just me.

My favorite mystery novel was printed in 1885. It's called "Shadowed By Three," written by Lawrence L. Lynch, as pseudonym for Emily "Emma" Medora Murdock Lynch Van Deventer.

What a unique and creative way to investigate a crime. Since it was printed almost 140 years ago, copies would be hard to find. I found my copy in a used bookstore in St. Paul, Minnesota. If you ever get a chance to read it, please do. (I'm not letting you read my copy though. Sorry.) It was a gift from my son which makes it priceless.