DEAR SUN SPOTS: My friends at the Odd Fellow Home follow Sun spots and the Looking Back column. The mention of the old sign for the toll bridge between Auburn and Lewiston on April 8 prompts us to wonder if a photo of this exists. It would be interesting to see what a pedestrian paid, a horse, a wagon, etc. Thank you. — Jon Whitmore, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots began by looking up that column from 100 years ago:

“In the carpenter shop of the late Chas. E. Greenleaf on Mechanics Row, Auburn, is a queer old historic relic. It is the toll board of the first wooden bridge over the Androscoggin where the North Bridge now stands. The board is about eight feet in length by three feet deep and is much weather worn.”

The photo in the column of that toll bridge sign is thanks to Bates College professor emeritus Doug Hodgkin of the Androscoggin Historical Society, who said that the sign still exists and can be viewed in the museum of the Androscoggin Historical Society in the County Building. The society is open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays.

The photo is also in his book ”Frontier to Industrial City.”

You can see what the various tolls were for people (a penny for a pedestrain), a person on a horse (6 cents), animals (extra charge for additional “beasts” above two), vehicles (12 cents for a sulky) and so forth.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For some time I have been trying to locate a qualified antique book appraiser.

Some 50 years ago I was given a book entitled “Burns Poems and Letters” by James Currie, M.D., of Liverpool, England, and published by Milner & Co. Limited, doing business at Paternoster Row, London, England.

A search of the Internet indicates that it may be a first edition printed May 1, 1800. There were three subsequent editions printed in 1801, 1802 and 1803. As I’m sure you know, Robert Burns was a famed English poet and author. Currie was his very close friend.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. — No Name, Minot

ANSWER: There is a dealer in Portland that should be able to help you: Carlson & Turner Antiquarian Books, www.carlsonturnerbooks.com, 241 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101, 207-773-4200.

If that one doesn’t suit you, you can search for other options at www.mainebooksellers.org/maba/booksellers_by_town.html

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is there an art museum in Maine where an artist can have a painting hung for all eternity?

I would like to be remembered as an accomplished Maine artist who never became famous but was talented enough to have a painting displayed. If you find a place, could you also find about how to go about getting it done?

Thanking you kindly. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Even the most famous of painters cannot be assured of eternal display in a museum. Exhibits are rotated regularly or lent to other museums.

If you have pots of money, you could donate to a college or library and make hanging one of your paintings a requirement of the bequest.

Other than that, Sun Spots is at a loss.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a large box of used baseball cleats of various sizes and styles for Little League I would like to donate to whoever could use them. — Norm, 207-615-8313

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