Friday, March 6, 2009

Antique Books



We're talking books today.  Not necessarily the sort that you keep on your nightstand.  More the sort that you use to prop up a lamp that is too short, or to vary the height in a group of decorative  accessories.  You do that, right?




I'm drawn to colorful bindings and beautiful gilding.  To cover illustrations and elaborate old fonts.  And a little wear and tear doesn't hurt either.  Old books are works of art.




Of course, it's always fun to actually read them, too.  ;)





27 comments:

  1. Mary when I was a little girl we had a finished basement in our house with bookshelves similar to yours just chock full of old books like yours, some of them classics like Huck Finn & Moby Dick. As a child I would thumb through them since many had illistrations amongst the text, but I never realized their true value until I was married. Unfortunately by that time my parents had moved and all the books were thrown out! UGH! Oh how I wish I had those books now!Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I have loved books since I was a child. They are a comfort to me.

    Your post and photos are wonderful.

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  3. LOL, yes, I put things on top of piles of books...mostly because books are stacked everywhere. I don't think it is exactly what you are talking about. GRIN

    I think in a decade or three books, real books, will be long gone. These wonderful ones you've collected will be even more priceless.

    I haven't visited your blog in a long while. (I wonder why?) I'm glad I picked today to return. I enjoyed the post.

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  4. I love books of all kinds, but the older ones with the beautiful illustrations and gilding are especially wonderful. The more books the better.

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  5. Years ago, we substituted an old dictionary for one of the legs of a family room sofa. It was one of those Mother of Invention fixes.

    We love all books, and I am lucky to have some lovely old 19th century volumes given to me by my great aunt. Books were so very pretty then.

    I'm glad you got a kick out of my Thursday post! A message from you is like hearing from a rock star -- your blog is just perfect.

    Enjoy the warmer weather. Yay!
    Cass

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  6. You've got some real pretties there, Mary. I love antique books, and I'm in the happy position that both my academic as well as my creative research often present me with a great excuse to buy old books. I've got several nineteenth-century guidebooks (I swear in one of them you can still find traces of nineteenth-century mud! *g*) and at least twelve different editions of "The Seven Champions of Christendom," some of them with pretty pictures, too!

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  7. Exactly right! Old books serve as a work of art. Lovely colours add that needed splash.

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  8. Yes, I am almost as charmed by the look of a book as by the content. You've got a wonderful assortment!

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  9. you have a colorful selection of books.
    i also stack books to place lamps on. although i know you're not supposed to by a book by it's cover, i do this quite a bit. I have a thing for red bindings.

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  10. I couldn't agree with you more. I have over 200 books in my home library. Only about 80 of them are really nice enough looking to be displayed, but I love to collect and read old books. I think a little wear and tear ads to their appeal too. Especially on the three books that I inherited from my Great Grandmother.
    *hugs*

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  11. I have books scattered all about my house. I only have two bookshelves, so I stack the rest in corners, on tables, etc. I love them. Someone said, I believe it was an author, but I can't remember who, that all you really need to decorate a home are books. They make a house feel so warm. Your books are beautiful, and create lovely displays.

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  12. I have tons of old books propping up stuff, elevating items in the back, etc. I love it when the library has their book sale, I go and buy all the "old" looking books and change them about as the seasons change so the colors don't clash. (For instance, I put the orange ones away when Christmas comes!). The older and tattier the better...those always seem to be my favorites. Glad to know there are other old book-aholics out there too!

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  13. I love old books but my mom was really a fanantic about them. One of my treasures is the tattered copy of Van Doon Lives.

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  14. I do use books in that way but I don't have this beautiful kind of books...*sigh.....
    Where do you get them??

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  15. Books......you can never have too many! I love to read them and stack "stuff" on them.I especially love "old" books with their beautiful bindings. I recently started collecting older children's books......especially Beatrix Potter....my all time favorite!!!

    Cindy

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  16. You've said it best: Old books are works of art. They are all over my house, and I "decorate" with them.

    I also have many that belonged to my grandfather. They are special indeed.

    Sadie Bell's Books

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  17. I like how you incorporate them into your decorating scheme. Love that little acorn, too.

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  18. :) I use books for everything. To spruce up the coffee table. hold things in the position I want them in, to set lamps on, vases on and of course..on occassion I ..finally read them. I have many I don't read because they are not of interest to me but now and then I will pick one up while rearranging things, something about the book will catch my eye..a word maybe and before I know it I am reading away and wondering HOW on earth it ever slipped by me. I love books. For beauty, convenience, and best of all good company.
    Hugs cause I love ya!
    Mona

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  19. I love old books too. I especially love the way they smell. Mmmmm...


    Kate

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  20. Hi Mary,
    when you get a chance please come visit my blog. I have a well deserved award for you today.
    Have a wonderful Sunday,
    Tam

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  21. Hi Mary,

    I blame my book addiction on my mom. I used to think it was silly the way she hung on to those old books. Half of them had cracked bindings and had that wierd spicy smell. Uhm...of course now I realize the truth. I was young and very silly. That spicy smell is the sweetest parfume in the world isn't it?

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  22. Gorgeous! I use books for decoration, too, but I was always sold by the title, now I know I should have looked at the covers!

    I am having to make my blog private. If you would like to be a part of my readership, please email me at steffes3@embarqmail.com

    I know, it's a pain!

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  23. Oh yes....I do this, too. Great little accents for a punch of color or to lift an object "up."
    You sure do have a nice variety!!!

    xo
    Becky

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  24. I love using books in my decor... I placed some under a lamp a few weeks ago to give it more height. Worked great! Your books are lovely... so vintage.

    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!