I received a wonderful gift today

[Tobin S.]

My future father-in-law came over to my place today and brought a weighty box in with him. The contents, he said, were a gift to me. It turns out that those contents are what appear to be the entire works of some old-timey writer named Mark Twain. Twenty-five volumes that contain what probably is the entire Mark Twain library. That itself is cool enough. But what makes this gift beyond cool is that they are the second printing of this Mark Twain encyclopedia which, as far as I can tell, dates them to the turn of the 20th century. These books are in pristine condition considering their age. It looks like someone bought them in 1915 right off the press, put them in a box, stored them in a climate controlled room, and let them sit undisturbed, never even opening one of them up until my father-in-law happened upon them almost 100 years later. Just gorgeous and I have to admit that the thought of their possible value has crossed my mind. But these books are now mine and they always will be.

The place where my father-in-law works was clearing out some of their library, apparently, and I suppose they didn't have much need or desire for Mark Twain. He didn't say if he gave anything for the books, but I'm thinking he might have.

I feel very fortunate today. Not just because of the books, but also, and more-so, for a great person who will soon be my kin. I don't believe I ever told the man that my favorite author was Mark Twain. I did tell Jen, my fiance, about Huckleberry Finn and how that book influenced my thinking when I was a child and is in part responsible for me being who I am today. I suppose she must have told her folks about it.

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. WOW!!! What an incredible gift!!!!!

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He... is a keeper.
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As are you.
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[Tobin S.]

2. Certainly!

Thanks and it's good to see you. :hi:

[progressoid]

3. Whoa.

That's pretty cool. My brother was a big Twain fan too.

Enjoy the books!

[Tobin S.]

5. Thanks!

:)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear Tobin!

The main thing your story tells me: You ARE marrying into the right family!

What a wonderful gift...

Congratulations, both to you, and to all of them!

:hi:

[Tobin S.]

6. Yeah, that is the main thing

:hi:

Jen's dad has accomplished a great deal in life and I hope he has many years left to him to accomplish more. I would tell you some details, but you know that deal with this public message board kind of thing. But the main thing is that he's a good man. All of Jen's folks are good people.

[elleng]

7. ANOTHER wonderful story for your life, Tobin!

:thumbsup:

GREAT that you have found not only Jen, but such a father-in-law!

[Tobin S.]

8. Thanks, ellen

I hope you are doing well now days. :hi:

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. great gift

[grasswire]

10. just in case those need to be insured...

...you can find the value by going to www.abebooks.com and very carefully looking up the printing, the edition, the publisher and so on to find identical volumes. There you will see what booksellers are asking for the same set.

[Callalily]

11. What a very thoughtful gift.

You know this means that you have been accepted into the family already!

Best of luck to you, Jen and your new family.

[Kali]

12. way cool, Tobin!

plate of shrimp - I stole a Twain biography my oldest got for his birthday and have been reading it. I'm not much on this type of reading but it was handy and it is kind of interesting. Think I would prefer the autobiography that just came out.