Found book jacket nets $1K for Hassenfeld Library

What happens when our love of the old collides with finding a hidden treasure?
By Mary Buxton, Library Director

Librarians love old things, think first editions, handwritten manuscripts, historical newspapers. We also love discovering hidden treasures on our library shelves. And we love digging nonstop until uncovering the perfect article hiding in the archives at Oxford that requires special permission to access from Edgehill Avenue. Now imagine if our love of old things collided with finding a hidden treasure. Magic.
 
For over 15 years, a set of filing cabinets has lived in the Hassenfeld Library workroom providing not only storage space for an eclectic collection of files, artifacts, and yearbooks but also a cloak of secrecy for the contents of several, long keyless, locked drawers. At long last, curiosity prevailed and locks were drilled. Hidden treasures? You bet.
 
Awaiting discovery were the remnants of a meticulously maintained vertical file that once had provided answers to student research inquiries in Payne Library. Long before we had 24/7 access to a world of information, vertical files contained magazine articles, maps, travel guides, menus, pamphlets, and myriad other resources. In our now unlocked drawer, one special file invoked a silent gasp and outburst of thanks to the foresight of our predecessors. Within this well-stocked file were countless picture book jackets, separated from their book and preserved for any number of reasons including displays, instruction, and preservation.
 
Calling upon the expertise of USN parents Judith and Richard Feaster, experts in identifying and selling books of extraordinary historic or monetary value, we discovered many beloved jackets including Space Cat jackets and covers from the Marjorie Flack books from the early 1930s to 1940s. The covers were pristine, the colors amazing. Over the past year, the Feasters have conducted extensive research on USN's behalf, seeking books of the proper edition and condition to reunite with covers; offering those of value for sale; and preserving them in archival boxes.
 
So it was with great excitement to learn that they had identified one jacket of special value; the jacket to the first edition of Madeleine L’Engle’s first book, "A Wrinkle in Time," written in 1962. Interestingly, the jacket was designed by Ellen Raskin, author of "The Westing Game." Over this past Winter Break, the book jacket sold for over $1,000. What an unexpected gift from the past, graciously added to the Fall Book Frenzy proceeds.
 
Do we believe in magic? Absolutely.
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School News

List of 3 news stories.

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    Seniors take field trip to cast first ballot

    All 40 eligible University School of Nashville students in the Class of 2037 registered to vote ahead of the voter registration deadline, and Eleanor Mixon '27 and Dylan Omary '27 walked across the street from USN to the Scarritt Bennett Center to cast their first ballots on the final day of early voting.
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Archive

Athletics News

List of 3 news stories.

  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on “Electric" State Champs Trails, Dehner Snags Overall Podium Medal

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  • Mountain Bike Team Takes on Winged Deer Trails, HS Makes Podium Appearance

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  • HS athletics recaps for September 11-17

    Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.
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Nashville, TN 37212

Phone:  615-321-8000
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Email:    info@usn.org

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Nashville, TN 37218

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USN Mission: 
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.