IMAGES OF CHRISTMAS (1993 US Edition) (1984 UK Edition)

(from a letter written to me by my father dated April 30, 1994)

Editor: Elaine Wilson/Calligraphy and Artwork Dorothy Boux

I am writing you at this time because there was a short article in the morning newspaper. It was about a train station in England that was scheduled to be done away with because it would cost too much to repair it. I am enclosing the article. (Ed. Note: There'll always be a Halt)

Why did this catch my attention? Because I love poetry and Sir John Betjeman, who was the Poet Laureate and died in 1984, had written [a poem] "Dilton Marsh Halt" about the village.

Well, this doesn't make much sense and perhaps never will. However, in 1984 you sent me a Christmas present; a book called “Images of Christmas.” Dorothy and I fell in love with the book immediately. The calligraphy and illustrations in the book were beautiful, spiritual and reverent. The contents were carefully selected from works of the best writers and poets. The selections were of the highest order.

Shortly after receiving the book we were at a Christmas Eve service at the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and heard Dr. Sommerville, a Scot with a burr. An excellent service with beautiful music, most stirring, and thrilling. And Dr. Sommerville gave a dramatic and sensitive sermon built around Betjeman's "Christmas" – sixth verse. When I hear this poem or read it, it affects me greatly. It is on page 82 of the book you sent me in 1984.

But the whole book contains wonderful stories, poems and sayings which are readable any day of the year. It has an English approach which is impossible to read without awe. I never saw a book to compare it with because it is incomparable.

I do not know if I ever thanked you for “Images of Christmas” so I am writing to do that. I will write again soon but I wanted to write this now.

  

The Dictionary of Imaginary Places (1980)

"When we were out in Manchester, Michigan in that book store we visited, I saw a book I wanted but didn’t get it. It was $24.95 and Mother said she would get it for Christmas for me. A couple of weeks ago we tried to get it ordered through the Frigate Book Shop [now gone] in Chestnut Hill. They say it is out of print, though Mother saw it reviewed just about six months ago. It was only published in 1978, I believe. It is called The Dictionary of Imaginary Places by Alberto Manguel and Giannin Guadalupi (MacMillan). If you can find it or get over to Manchester, let me know. I would like to get it."

(from a letter written to me by my father dated March 9, 1982)

A couple of things occurred to me while transcribing this letter from my father, a project that is currently occupying my time. One is that we searched for that book forever and didn't find it.

I made the trip to Manchester to the little bookstore, which no longer had the book. I searched for it everywhere I traveled as I'm sure my father did.

Of course, the book was republished and packaged and updated over the years and I have a copy of it sitting next to me. The Internet has made those searches necessary for only the most obscure items and even then a clever researcher can find clues and bread crumbs leading to discovery.

My guess is that my father was enchanted with the book because it included all the imaginary and mystical places in the books of his childhood from Xanadu to Oz. Leafing through my paperback copy (was it Daddy's or did I buy it?) I am reminded of worlds created by Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein among many others.

My Father Shared His Love of Books (Especially Mysteries)

Whodunit (credit: http://www.whodunitphilly.com)

I am currently in the midst of transcribing letters written to me by my father over a period of 35 years beginning when I left home for college in 1963 and ending with his death in 1998 at the age of 80. 

Part of a letter dated June 22, 1980 written to me by my father when he was 62:

This past week we went to a store called Whodunit* where they have nothing but mystery books. Used hardbacks and new paperbacks comprise the stock. Because I have read all of Ngaio Marsh, Josephine Tey, and P.D. James, I am looking for other mysteries. As you know I have rather limited tastes. Being a confirmed Romantic, I prefer English mysteries. Most American crime stories I find too violent with hard and brash characters and locales which bore me. On the other hand, I have never warmed up to Hercule and Miss Jane so Agatha has gone by the boards.

The man at the bookshop suggested June Thomson and her Inspector Rudd of Chelmsford CID. Have you ever read her? The story I am now reading is called “Death Cap” and is about poisoning by a species of mushroom of that name. The story is pretty good, but I have not warmed up to it as much as I have to other authors that I like. The advertisers are comparing her to P.D. James. If she is young, she may develop into a James. I must admit that as far as interesting writing is concerned, James is hard to beat. Of course, this is without considering Sayers, which I watch when on television but so far have not been enthused about reading. One day soon I expect to give it a go.

At the recommendation of the bookseller, I also bought three other books to try out. One is “Minute for Murder” by Nicholas Blake, who is really the English poet Cecil Day-Lewis. The second is “The Cast of the Gilded Fly” by Edmund Crispin. His hero is Gervase Fen, an eccentric English professor at Oxford, who is the sleuth. And the third book is about the theater and is called “Puzzle for Players” by Patrick Quentin, whose hero is Peter Duluth, an actor it appears, although I have not read the book yet. This is an American story but the book agent assured me it was similar in approach and mood to an English mystery. I shall read it. Perhaps you have read some or all of these but when I am through I will ask if you want them and send them to you.

NOTE: Actually all three authors were using pen names. Was that a conceit used because writing mysteries was looked down on? And Cecil Day-Lewis is the father of actor Daniel Day-Lewis.
_________________________________________________________________________________

*Whodunit Books
1931 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 567-1478
www.whodunitphilly.com

Whodunit Books has been located in this Rittenhouse area of Philly since 1977 and specializes in mysteries and thrillers. Whodunit also carries many other general titles and many rare copies from local authors. It carries signed and collectable books, all of which are also available online. This is a store to visit if you want to chat with the owner about books in general. Whodunit also has an outdoor table for nice weather and is one of the leading book stores in Philly to get that impossible-to-find book.