Shelf Memory #4

    

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Shelf Memory #4

 

This note within a poetry book I found quite fascinating as it's not actually a letter. It's not addressed or signed off by anyone and it's almost like a diary entry. Perhaps it's a note that somebody wanted to record and didn't have anything else to write on or maybe it's the day they received this book and they wanted to remember it. Who knows? Not I. But it is interesting and random and I love everything about it.

"Purchased April 18 at Bly's wonderful event with Coleman Burks and exotic music. It was day 3 of [can't quite read the handwriting] about Bly. He was tired and seemed frail - though [handwriting again] though [ugh, handwriting] yet soft eyes & didn't have the (greed?) to ask him to sign it. [Initial?]"

I really wish I could understand more of the handwriting and of the event itself but that's all I have. 

Project Description

“Shelf Memories” is a nostalgic photo series that explores the relationship between giver and recipient through the medium of books given as gifts. In the first pages of a book often nestles a handwritten note from which we catch a brief yet intimate insight into the bond between people. The notes, paired with a cover image of the book, reveal the giver's intentions; from early nursery rhythms and children's Bibles to cookbooks and self-help. The handwriting style and word choice often add to these glimpses of a different life.

No matter how important they were, the books are eventually outgrown and succumb to thrift store and community library shelves where they are found and photographed; the final resting place for many words chosen with care, signed with love, and given in hope. Relationships past and children grown, all that remains is a handwritten note, more often than not from "XOXO Nana & Pops".