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The treasures inside second-hand books aren't limited to the texts they possess. From time to time, readers leave all kinds of gifts for others to discover. Some of them, like a pair of glasses, are simply forgotten between the pages but every once in a while, a good samaritan leaves behind a little thingy just to make your day. Continue scrolling through this list by Bored Panda and check out what I'm talking about for yourself! Oh, and upvote your favorite entries along the way.

#1

Found A Little Surprise In The Library Book I Borrowed

Found A Little Surprise In The Library Book I Borrowed

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There are no official data for the size of the second-hand book market. But according to a survey by Statista, in both the UK and the US more than half of us are choosing to buy books second-hand instead of new.

Patrik Oqvist from World of Books, the UK's largest second-hand book retailer, believes the market is growing by 8-10% a year.

"There's no stigma to buying second-hand now," he told BBC. "We take them to the beach and spill coffee on them, but they don't stop working because of that." Other reasons might be important for buyers as well, for example,the lower price, and the fact that they're recycling.

#2

Nothing Like Picking Up A Book And Finding A Photo (And Autograph) Of The Author Inside

Nothing Like Picking Up A Book And Finding A Photo (And Autograph) Of The Author Inside

jennabunnykins Report

And, of course, there's the chance of finding something unique. World of Books received a call last year from a grandmother in Australia who had ordered an annual that she remembered owning as a child, full of quizzes, mazes and puzzles. When she got it, she couldn't believe it was her own original copy, with the inscription from her parents to her.

#3

These 4 And 5 Leaf Clovers I Found In This Nearly 200-Year-Old Book

These 4 And 5 Leaf Clovers I Found In This Nearly 200-Year-Old Book

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Koalamonster
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's pretty awesome. My eyes immediately went to the words "immortal shamrock" on the page on the left. Which is also pretty awesome.

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#4

I Found This In A 1949 Children's Book I Bought Today

I Found This In A 1949 Children's Book I Bought Today

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Mosheh Wolf
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is Eletelephony, by Laura Elizabeth Richards. Not written by her, of course, since she passed away in 1943.

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#5

Used Books Store Has A Wall Of Forgotten Bookmarks

Used Books Store Has A Wall Of Forgotten Bookmarks

KaiF1SCH Report

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Francis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love the pictures.. but on the other hand it's kinda sad the families lost those memories..

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#6

Note Found In "The Book Of Outdoor Gardening" By Smith And Hawken ⁣

Note Found In "The Book Of Outdoor Gardening" By Smith And Hawken ⁣

Dear Mommy, ⁣
I think that you are very very pretty. ⁣
Love, ⁣
Lacey ⁣
I love you Mommy ⁣

inusedbooks Report

#7

My Son Found A Report Card From Nearly 100 Years Ago In His Library Book

My Son Found A Report Card From Nearly 100 Years Ago In His Library Book

Carel16 Report

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Ellen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe try finding her since the name is clearly visible. She could still be alive you never know!

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TheDivineMs.M
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Found her: annamae m valpey born 1914, lived in California- https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/categories/42/?name=Katherine+M_Valpey&pg=2

lmcn avatar
L McN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the fact that they had a class called citizenship. Classes like this need brought back! To apply for citizenship a person must know more than the average natural born citizen actually knows, which is sad that we aren't taught all of this.

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Alexandra Davis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum is a citizenship and PSHE (personal social health education) teacher in the UK, I used to be on too. They are taught in most UK schools!

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Vanessa Humic
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With her street address this was my elementary school in Long Beach California

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Mimi M
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She liked music and art. Got better at English lit. Really didn't like math, civics or home ec. An artistic soul...

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Dippin Dot
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have my grandfather's report cards from the 1940's; the entire collection of them. Not nearly as old as these, but still a family treasure.

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Jon S.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol "Man. Tr." I know it is probably 'Manual training,' but I like to think it was classes in how to grow the thickest moustache and appropriate eye contact in a public bathroom.

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish my school report looked like that in high school.

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Richard Courtney
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow they stilled used that card when I was in grade school in the 70s WOW

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ember avery
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dude i want those grades since i have an f in almost every class

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Mary Rose Kent
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apply yourself! Or, if you are applying yourself to no avail, look into getting a tutor.

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Tommy Jo Hunt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my goodness, how thrilling! At least she had wonderful grades!

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Bevie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s back when children were actually being taught on a college level. Today’s educational system is a joke. Thrilled that mine studied in a STEM school!!!!

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Leta Duncan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn’t have that kind of typewriters back then. Not that old!

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JV
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok… so this means the book had not been borrowed for a while.

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#8

Somewhere Back In Time, The Former Owner Of These Glasses Is Still Looking For Them

Somewhere Back In Time, The Former Owner Of These Glasses Is Still Looking For Them

It looks like they have been in there so long, they have cracked the binding. Found in "The Story of a Fight" by Hugh Lloyd

forgottenbookmarks Report

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't understand how someone can forget their glasses, the book isn't going to close properly with them in there so surely you would notice something was up.

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#9

In A Vintage Hemingway

In A Vintage Hemingway

cassodragon Report

#10

Found Tucked Between The Pages Of A Secondhand Textbook I Bought

Found Tucked Between The Pages Of A Secondhand Textbook I Bought

HopelessQuantic Report

#11

Found A Dried Lizard Between My Book's Pages

Found A Dried Lizard Between My Book's Pages

MOstred Report

#12

I Found This In A Random Book On The Shelves Of A Cafe

I Found This In A Random Book On The Shelves Of A Cafe

Dangjasondang Report

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonder if the exchange actually happened. That would be so cool if it did.

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#14

Beautiful Photo Found In A Copy Of "Birds Of Alaska"

Beautiful Photo Found In A Copy Of "Birds Of Alaska"

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#15

Found This Neat Little Metal Bookmark In "The Life Of Colonel Paul Revere" From 1909

Found This Neat Little Metal Bookmark In "The Life Of Colonel Paul Revere" From 1909

forgottenbookmarks Report

#17

Found This In House I’m Tearing Apart In A Book Like Someone Wanted To Keep Them Don’t Think It’s Real Money

Found This In House I’m Tearing Apart In A Book Like Someone Wanted To Keep Them Don’t Think It’s Real Money

zangoku Report

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jaeibi escarmoso
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a currency used in the Philippines when japan invaded our country..

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#18

My Mother Found A 108-Year-Old Ticket To A Fair In An Old Book Being Used As A Bookmark

My Mother Found A 108-Year-Old Ticket To A Fair In An Old Book Being Used As A Bookmark

The_Law_Giver Report

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Valerie Lessard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that's f*****g amazing. First the condition of the ticket, and then the beautiful design

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#19

A Guy In My Japanese Class Found This In The Back Of His Book. Can Relate

A Guy In My Japanese Class Found This In The Back Of His Book. Can Relate

funkystuhero Report

#20

We Found This Lovely Lady In A Book We Listed Yesterday. She Has Been Trimmed From A 19th Century Women's Periodical Or Magazine

We Found This Lovely Lady In A Book We Listed Yesterday. She Has Been Trimmed From A 19th Century Women's Periodical Or Magazine

rookebooks Report

#21

Received At Our Donation Center. Someone's Drug Stash In A Book

Received At Our Donation Center. Someone's Drug Stash In A Book

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#22

Found A Cool Surprise In My Library Book

Found A Cool Surprise In My Library Book

k80k80k80 Report

#23

A Message And A Coin

A Message And A Coin

"Rember me
To my dear friend Hazel, keep this book and read it in your spare time. It was great fun seeing u & I hope to do this again. Until that time keep in touch.
Your friend, Juliana R"

MissGoldenDragon Report

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#24

One Key, Tied To A String. Found In A Sealed Envelope From The Gladstone Hotel In New York City

One Key, Tied To A String. Found In A Sealed Envelope From The Gladstone Hotel In New York City

The book was "Dr. Priestley Investigates" by John Rhode

forgottenbookmarks Report

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Koalamonster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That seems like the beginning to a mystery. Now you've gotta go to that hotel, they'll see the key and take you to a weird room in the basement that has a locked box in it that has been there as long as anyone can remember. Inside that box you'll find everything you need to complete your journey.

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#25

A Charming Handmade Bookmark Found In "Little Women"

A Charming Handmade Bookmark Found In "Little Women"

forgottenbookmarks Report

#27

Found In An 1860's Era Bible

Found In An 1860's Era Bible

tenglempls Report

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L McN
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This from an age when "Healthy" and "Harmless" could mean trace amounts of arsenic and lead, high quantities of opium or morphine, and quite a few other unwanted ingredients makes me question it's safety. Good news though, this seems to still be in use (at least a modified version of) and this card is now a collectible. Also, there are no listed problems with this powder, so maybe it really was a safe one.

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#28

A 30-Year-Old Ticket Stub To Van Halen's Monsters Of Rock Tour

A 30-Year-Old Ticket Stub To Van Halen's Monsters Of Rock Tour

The book is "Between the strokes of night", a sci-fi book from 1985 by Charles Sheffield. This "bookmark" might be from the original owner

Kindred359 Report

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Ellen
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You might as well jump! ... about finding it (and also I love that song)

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#29

Things I Have Found In Books

Things I Have Found In Books

Amongst all these letters, photos and bookmarks you will see a report from the Adult Parole Board dated 1987. The person mentioned had been in Pentridge Prison since late 1977 for a very vicious murder committed under the influence of alcohol. The eleven page report states that he was quite intelligent and articulate but had been in trouble while in prison and had been moved around the prison system.It also says that he was hoping to start a new life once released and planned on changing his name. Whether he was released, or when, is unknown as I can find no record of him after the date on the parole papers

born.to.shop.books Report

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frederic eeckman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An eleven page report ? That should have left a pretty bump in that book !

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#30

Dead Bookworm Found In A Late 16th Century Book

Dead Bookworm Found In A Late 16th Century Book

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Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never seen a bookworm before (or so I thought) so decided to google and the more common type are what I know them as silverfish.

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#31

Could Someone Explain What These Save Buttons Are Doing In The Back Of My Book?

Could Someone Explain What These Save Buttons Are Doing In The Back Of My Book?

dangerlopez Report

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Patrick McKemie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I showed one to my niece and asked her what did she think it was. She guessed a 3D printout of the save icon.

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#32

Found In Textbook. Guess They Were Lightening Up The Mood

Found In Textbook. Guess They Were Lightening Up The Mood

reddit.com Report

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DemPugs
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Snoopy Pupperino, otherwise known as "pup" was a well known gangster specializing in the art of stealing people's hearts. He was nearly caught twice, but escaped both times because he was too fluffy to hold.

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#33

Found In My Copy Of "Moby-Dick"

Found In My Copy Of "Moby-Dick"

Booksandcards Report

#34

Found A Garden's Worth Of Pressed Flowers And Plants In A Book From 1833

Found A Garden's Worth Of Pressed Flowers And Plants In A Book From 1833

Found in volume five of "The New Testament with Commentary and Critical Notes by Adam Clarke" published by B. Waugh and T. Mason

unmoderated Report

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Kathy Baylis
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’d take them to a local botanical society or university Botany Department. It’s possible some of those plants have changed in almost 180 years (if these are vintage to the publication date of the book), or may have become rare. Probably not, but maybe. Someone (botanist or botany student?) might be interested in identifying them and comparing them to modern versions.

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#35

Sometimes What You Find In An Old Book Is A Bit More Exciting Than The Old Book Itself

Sometimes What You Find In An Old Book Is A Bit More Exciting Than The Old Book Itself

jennifer.rojeanne Report

#36

Found This In A 1947 Red Cross First Aid Textbook

Found This In A 1947 Red Cross First Aid Textbook

RayRayWaters Report

#37

That Time Edgar Allan Poe Fell Out Of My Library Book. This Academic Baby Daddy Just Made My Day

That Time Edgar Allan Poe Fell Out Of My Library Book. This Academic Baby Daddy Just Made My Day

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#38

Favorite Photos I've Found Left In Books

Favorite Photos I've Found Left In Books

isnotacrayon Report

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Valerie Lessard
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

now you have been able to experience some of the happy moments in other people's lives without them forcing you to

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#39

Ambassador And Madame J. H. Van Roijen Red Cross Membership Card From 1956

Ambassador And Madame J. H. Van Roijen Red Cross Membership Card From 1956

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Boebabazz
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is some nice background story to this man. Herman van Roijen was a member of the Dutch resistance in WWII and captured multiple times. After the war he became minister in the dutch government. From 1950 until 1964 he was ambassador in Washington where he served 4 presidents. He was known for his undiplomatic openess, was one of the most respected analysts of American Politics. When he left, the New York Times paid tribute to him in a long article on him. I’m very curious what book this membership was found! https://www.parlement.com/id/vg09lljh08xs/j_h_herman_van_roijen

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#40

Vintage Paper Doll Pieces Found In "Joyful Songs"

Vintage Paper Doll Pieces Found In "Joyful Songs"

inusedbooks Report

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how fragile the paper is and if it's possible to get the pieces out without damaging them!

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Note: this post originally had 81 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.