I hadn't been there for awhile so the gal behind the counter gave me a really good deal on five books I picked up- a whopping 45¢ for all five. One was a collected works of Hemingway I selected for the big H on the cover.
When I opened it up I saw this drawing:
I thought "Oh goody a bonus!" I snapped a shot of the sketch and shared it to Instagram and Facebook where my friends proceeded to convince me that Hemingway himself might have drawn this while in Key West!!! Hence I got freaked out without even trying. Had I almost ruined a priceless piece of American ephemera? I had to find out.
Google searches revealed nothing so I felt a little better. However, Dr Donut sent me his findings, which once again had me worried. I asked an artist down the hall at work what she thought and she told me about a used book store near where I work and I set out to get their advice.
I entered the unassuming store and was blown away by the sheer number of books facing me. The lady at the front desk listened to my story and looked at the book. She said since there was no signature, no providence of the book being owned by Hemingway and the fact that these little Viking Books are so common that I could go ahead and alter to my heart's content. Then she told me about a special room up on the third floor for people like me who re-purpose books (WHAT... THERE IS MORE TO THIS WONDERLAND??!!??) I plunged ahead and was again blown away by sky high book shelves and so many books calling my name.
I found a couple of things I could afford (blog about that soon) and declared the Jane Addams Bookstore to now be my favorite place in downtown Champaign.
Here are a few more pics of the Hemingway book. I tried to read it but, uh...how do I say this? I don't care for his writing, sorry old man.
