I haven't had any adventures since I won the prize at the Eagle Park aviation meet in my sky racer

[sovay]

I have just been given an original hardcover of Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle (1911). It was on the "Reserved" shelf at Raven Used Books. It wasn't being held for anyone; it had just fetched up there. I didn't know: I asked the clerk. He said I was the first person who'd shown any interest in it. After a moment, he asked if I wanted it. No charge.

Well, yes, obviously.

(Its subtitle is Daring Adventures in Elephant Land. I cannot imagine this will be handled well.)

Oh, and it's the inspiration-namesake of the Taser.

I love used book stores.

Comments

[ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com]

That's brilliant.

I'm delighted and amazed, particularly with the knowledge that a) the Taser's name was inspired by a Tom Swift book and b) that you now have a copy of that book. And with the story of how you got it as well--the closest I've ever come was when I was ten or twelve and the library in the next town over from where I grew up rang up my mother and said "Your son is the only person who's checked this book out in the past fifty years. Would he like to have it?"

The book was a battered copy of Saxton Pope's Hunting With the Bow and Arrow* ETA:(1923).** I have it still.

(Its subtitle is Daring Adventures in Elephant Land. I cannot imagine this will be handled well.)

I can't imagine it will be, either. Still, I hope you enjoy the experience, at least in an ironic postmodern sort of way.

*I can't seem to locate the date of first publication anywhere on the internet, and my copy is at home. I'm thinking it's somewhere in the first half of the 1920s.
**I don't know if mine is a first edition or not, but there's no publication history beyond the copyright date.

[sovay]

And with the story of how you got it as well--the closest I've ever come was when I was ten or twelve and the library in the next town over from where I grew up rang up my mother and said "Your son is the only person who's checked this book out in the past fifty years. Would he like to have it?"

That's not bad either!