I found a neat antique book, and now I've tracked down its old owner. He's dead. Should I offer to give it to his children? [more inside]
posted by Salvor Hardin on Jul 25, 2009 - 26 answers

Anyone recognize these old copper printing plates? They were used to print some sort of encyclopedia or other information book, but which one? [more inside]
posted by gemmy on May 10, 2009 - 6 answers

I recently bought a paperback book from an antique shop. The book's called The Mystery of Love, Courtship and Marriage Explained, and it was written by Henry J. Wehman, published by Wehman Bros. But there's no copyright date! Anywhere! In any form! The cover looks like it's a "newer" edition (1920's or so) of an older writing, since the writing uses language and refers to customs that seem outdated even for the early 20th century. There are details such as proper flirting with your parasol, the inappropriateness of women's rights meetings, marrying outside of your social class, calling your husband "Mister" instead of his first name, etc. The word "hugging" (not the act itself) is even called a vulgarity. So, it's old. But how old? How can I find out when this was actually written? Google turns up nada. [more inside]
posted by katillathehun on Oct 2, 2007 - 13 answers

I've been looking for a reproduction of a specifc woodcut of a dancing bear playing the violin for a long time (years and years) and I've almost given up hope - can anyone help me find it? [more inside]
posted by OverlappingElvis on Aug 8, 2006 - 5 answers