Danbury Public Library's Friends Booksale Oct. 15, 16, and 17

The tiny cramped sorting room used by the Friends of the Danbury Library in the basement of the library itself is a bit tiner and more cramped this week than is usual.

More than 100,000 books are boxed up, labeled and ready for sale. Last year the Friends advertised a sale of about 60,000 books. This year the sale is Oct. 15, 16 and 17, a week later than usual. Donations were coming in steadily Tuesday.

"We have the citizens and the library to thank," said Robert Feinson, co-chair of the annual event, who said he remembers seeing a book sale in the front of the Danbury Public Library in 1973. He's pretty sure of the date, because shorterly before that day, Feinson's Mens Clothing burned down on Main Street.

Feinson said he thinks he started volunteering with the book sale in about 1976. He's run it or co-chaired it for the last 11 or 12 years.

Among the collectible books on sale this year is a bound volume of Harpers Weekly from the Civil War era that is selling for $500.  Another is a leather-bound copy of Fountainhead by Ann Rand, a first-edition, that is selling for $250.

For $50, the rare book collection includes a phamphlet called, "Rights & Wrongs of Golf by Bob Jones, a 1935 edition.

Another is Micky Mouse Illustrated Movie Stories, story and illustrations by the staff of Walt Disney Studio, dated 1931 and marked at $150.

The book sale includes a number of interesting photographic and historic books about New York City, including a hand-sized book dated 1851 called Great Metropolis, New York City. Inside is a fold-out map of the city to 59th street, and sections labeled public buildings, courts, educational institutions, a street directory and advertisements. It is priced at $150.

"We're very grateful to the people who have been so generous," said Robert Mosley, co-chair of the annual booksale.