They may flutter to the floor when a book is opened or they may remain in books for years, awaiting discovery.

They are papers, postcards, bookmarks and reminders left behind by anonymous readers.

The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library oversee the small collection.

"They're wonderful and very personal things," said library director Janet Woycik . "They give insight into past patrons as well as those we see every day. They let us see what people collect and are given. They are very private mementos."

Three of the missives allow a view into a world long gone.

The f irs t, a telegram from the Philadelphia, Reading and Pottsville Telegraph Company dated April 27, 1933 reads :

"To Miss Clara Cregg ,

Arrive Phila about five. Can you have dinner with me.


Ernest"

This brief note conjures up a number of questions.

Who was Ernest? Who was Clara Cregg? Was dinner a lovers' meeting or a family chat?

The second, a letter, was written during late World War II or shortly thereafter by a man named George. The letter was to two people identified only by their initials and concerns an unnamed book he gave to them.

"Look for the description of the demolition of Berlin," George wrote. "We've read so much of the bombing of London, that it was interesting to know what was happening in Berlin."

In an aside comment about the failed July 1944 attempt to assassinate German chancellor Adolph Hitler , is sarcastically referred to as "Uncle Adolf."

The letter's final paragraph again references the book.

"The last part in Vienna is good, too. Oh where are the days of 'Wein, Weiber und Gesang?'"


Did the letter's recipients answer him?

Much is left to imagination of the readers of both the Cregg telegram and George's letter.

Another letter, typed and dated December 1907, relates the failed sale of the Alessandro Copper Mining Company of New Haven.

Company officials gave as the reason for the failure: "copper dropped from 25 to 13 cents a pound."

The collection's postcards, many from Europe, are shots of sights frequented by tourists. A number of the cards are faded and from their style, appear to be more than 30 years old.

Most have nothing written on them. Those that do have messages very much like those written now: Everything's spectacular: food, pool, weather, etc.


The cards are from Cap Ferrat, Alsace and Brittany, France; Spoleto, Roma and Milan, Italy; Salzburg, Austria, Warsaw; Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor, Maine, Palm Beach, Fla., Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Canyon Ranch, Lenox, Mass.

Because of the age of a few of these cards, some of the areas and sights pictured may no longer exist. They may have been obliterated during World War II.

As for the bookmarks, they contain messages of encouragement, advertising and advice, including one from the IRS, listing its tax information services and another from the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling , giving its telephone number.

The "Save Water" bookmark includes conservation tips: "Set an eggtimer for three minutes, try to finish your shower before time is up."

Another marker in tin and shaped like a sting ray is from the Cayman Islands.

One, topped by pressed flowers, says "Happy Reading in '97. Love, Ena."

The bookmark from the National Geographic Society urges readers to "Mark Your Place in the World."

Also forgotten is a photograph of a 3- or 4-year-old girl with strawberry blonde hair holding a black and white kitten.

The picture has no name, no date, no identification whatsoever.

"It's amazing what people forget," Woycik concluded, "and it's amazing to read what's been written and printed. The collection is a type of history, writ small and to the point."
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