In 1952 a science fiction writer named Phillip St. John wrote a novel titled Rocket Jockey. It was an award winning novel in it's day. It became popular in the child's science fiction arena.
My then brother-in-law to be was given this book by his mother in 1953 and inscribed and signed it.
The book was read a bit by him but in the mid sixties it became a favorite of his daughter, my niece Victoria. She would read it regularly and when there wasn't time she would look at the pictures.
I guess she would fantasize about being an inter galactic explorer or becoming a famous scientist.
Brother-in-law Paul was a policeman in Madison Wisconsin. Having a roving eye and a job that attracted young women, his marriage to my sister was eventually in shambles. They divorced in 1967.
He retired from the police department, remarried, and moved to the Los Angeles area taking the book with him. He died a few years later from cancer.
There was always a rift between wife number two and my sister. My niece and nephews never got any keepsakes relating to their Father.
Victoria wanted a copy of the old Rocket Jockey book as an aid to remember some good times.
She had moved to Colorado and her Mom moved to Overland Park, Kansas.
In the following years she had come across several copies in old book stores and flea markets but were way too expensive. One store was asking for $100 for the ”rare” book. Most were in the $40 plus range.
She was either in nursing school, a new job but always on a very tight budget. She couldn't pay that much.
None the less she was always on the hunt.
She ended up in Reno Nevada working for an oncology department.
My sister had remarried and moved to the West Coast. Her second husband of 18 years passed away. His body was shipped back to his hometown area and was to be buried in Kansas City Missouri.
Victoria took time off and flew in to console her Mom. They laughed, cried, went to lunches and slummed in antique shops.
A neighboring community on the Kansas side of the metro area is called Olathe. There were some good little second hand and antique malls to visit.
They ended up at the Sentimental Journey Antique store. This was a large mall type store with many booths to look at.
Victoria still hunting, went to the book shelves. They were having a half price sale on the old books.
There it was! Rocket Jockey by Phillip St. John on the bottom row. She saw the $8.00 price tag and snatched it up and held it to herself. She was gloating about the bargain she had gotten.
She opened up this copy in good condition. Her eyes glazed over and then welled up with tears and emotion.
On the first page, written in familiar cursive was the inscription “To my son Paul on your birthday in 1953" and was signed by her Grandmother.
The store was in tears that day. I almost am five years later as I write this for you.