Secret stories of secondhand books

December 11, 2012 — Books, second hand, secret history, Wayne Gooderhan

Now that we are all trying to re-use things rather than always buying new (which we are aren’t we?) there’s a new frisson of excitement to be had next time you trawl through a second hand book store.

Wayne Gooderham has been making a point of trying to find pre-loved books with something personal in them. He’s found bookmarks galore obviously but other things too including a blurred photograph of an inquisitive chocolate-brown dog, a child’s handmade card, an ad for Spokes & Son’s Motor Cycle Service, and an itemised bill for rooms 10-11, of the Caledonian Hotel, Callander, circa 1953.

He’s compiled an exhibition of his finds The Secret History of Second Hand Books which is a celebration of all things forgotten.

What do your old books contain?

Have a curious day.