SUPPORT THE LIBRARY BY SHOPPING IN THE
FRIENDS BOOK STORE
O
HOURS OF OPERATION Whenever the library is open
Most items cost $2 or $3
Among old books, a New Deal treasure
ver the many years of her involvement with the Friends of the Library Book Store and Annual Sale, Sherri Garber has seen all manner of donated books: from current best-sellers in perfect condition that go right onto the sale shelves to musty old textbooks that appeared to have been propping up a table in someone’s basement.
Staffed by 20 volunteers. Five volunteer hours per day are dedicated to the store.
Philosophy Mysteries Science Classics Art Cooking Hobbies Children’s Fiction New Arrivals BEST-SELLING SUBJECTS
But Garber, president of the Friends, was not quite prepared for the call she received from an older gentleman who was moving to Stonebridge with his wife and wanted to donate a certain nine-volume set: “The Public Papers and Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt.” In addition to their historical significance, Garber was struck by the physical beauty of the books, which featured hand-tooled colored leather flowers strung together on the outside and inside of the front cover, with moire silk frontispieces. Volume 1 is inscribed “For A.E. Giegengack, from his friend Franklin D. Roosevelt.” Laid in is a cutout of the envelope from the White House addressed to The Public Printer. “Once I saw what he had dropped off at the library, I called the donor and asked him how he came to be in possession of this treasure,” Garber said. “Turns out his wife, now 88 years old, is the daughter of the Public Printer, appointed by FDR, and that he made this special edition of the books especially for FDR.”
Most popular bookmark found in donated books: airline and train tickets
150 books are sold each day Most curious donation: Playboy in braille
January 1, 2014
of the
$90,000
Ninety Thousand and 00/100 New Books
Friends
The Book Store generates $90,000 annually for the library
VOLUNTEER
609.924.9529, ext. 280 friends@princetonlibrary.org Source: Book Store volunteer Helen Heintz
18 I CONNECTIONS
The donor believes that this set is one of 10 known to have been printed, with one included in the collection of the FDR Library in Hyde Park, NY. The donation spurred Garber into action, first to learn more about the printer, then to determine the value of the books. “Giegengack seems to have been quite a character in his own right,” she said. “I found a three-part series on him that was published by The New Yorker in 1943.” Next, Garber contacted a rare book dealer for guidance and was referred to several auction houses. Swann Galleries in New York will feature the books in its April 8 auction of Americana. The opening bid will be $1,500. As with each of the thousands of books sold every year by the Friends, proceeds from the sale of the FDR volumes will benefit the library. Old books sold by the Friends help the library buy new books. Surely, FDR and his Public Printer would be pleased. To donate gently used books to the Friends for the Book Store or Annual Sale, please visit princetonlibrary.org/booksale