Thursday, February 5, 2009

Score of the Century!

I decided to take a day just for myself. I wanted to go to the half-price bookstore to pick up a book on writing and anything else that might catch my eye. Something always catches my eye in the half-price bookstore, so I had high hopes for an extremely pleasant morning/afternoon (depending on how long I browsed and whether I felt the need to hit a yarn shop while I was at it.)

Boy, did something catch my eye. I stood and stared in disbelief, while my mouth opened and closed like a trout snapping at a fly. Ready? Check it out:


Yes, it's the infamous "Tudor Roses" knitting book by Alice Starmore (who may be a mythical creature instead of an actual flesh-and-blood designer.) For those of you who are not knitters, and know nothing of the legendary status of this book, check out this link. I'll wait here. What was that? Used copies selling for anywhere from $175 to $292??? Look closer at the picture below. See the little price tag? It's hard to read, but, yes...it does say $9.98.



Now you understand the hyperventilating trout imitation I was doing in the store. I managed to contain myself after the first audible gasp, but believe me, it was tough. I clutched it in my sweaty hand and didn't put it down until I checked out. I think I would have let someone snatch my purse before I would have given up the book! I couldn't resist telling the clerk about how much this book was commanding on Amazon.com (after I paid for it.) What makes me wonder is that the original owner's name and phone number are inside the book. Many of the other knitting and quilting books I looked through had the same name, so I don't know if someone was just clearing out her stash and had no idea what she had, or if perhaps the lady had passed away and her family disposed of her hobby books this way (a fate I expect most of my fabric, yarn, and books to have.) If I were a ridiculously nice, self-sacrificing person, I'd call the phone number and ask if she wants it back (if she's still among us.) Hmmmmm....I'm not that nice.

Whatever the case, I can't believe that I found this book. I haven't had a chance to look at it, so I plan to make myself a nice hot cup of tea and savor the reading of it. Wouldn't it be ironic if I don't like a thing in it?

8 comments:

Chris Tolomei (alicethelma) said...

I'll have to look for that book at my local Goodwill. Nice find!

Unknown said...

Wow, i feel you excitement, and am very happy for you! somewhere deep inside im a little jelous, but its all good!

AriRashkae said...

Well, if irony does strike, you either have made one heck of a profit, or have serious bragging rights for your bookshelf!

Ev said...

I beat you by a week... Last Saturday, I found her "Book of Fair Isle" at my local 2nd hand book store. It was marked at $9.95, and when I got to the counter, all crafting books (including knitting) were 30% off. I got it for $7.00. It's going for around $120 on Amazon.

Well done, both of us!

Anonymous said...

Too funny. I actually work at half price books and I keep a sharp eye on the knitting books to make sure nothing like that slips through. Most of the employees would have no idea, though.

Daniele said...

you suck..... :P

Elizabeth said...

Holy guacamole, that was one great find! Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket this week, too?

momkidd said...

I found it at a local Goodwill, had no idea what it was. Paid $5 and thought that was steep! I sold it on Ebay for $40.