Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Wind in The Willows

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There on the corner of a lovely table, was a blue hardcover book with a gold leaf illustration of a frog wearing an elaborate costume.

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I picked up the book and read the spine. THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS.

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Yes, the illustration is of Toad. I was thrilled and knew I had found a lost treasure.

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I carefully looked though the pages, and was thrilled to find the illustrations I have come to love as a child, and those from my own daughter's childhood.

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This 1940 edition, by Kenneth Grahame was illustrated by the famous Arthur Rackham. This is the last book that Arthur Rackham illustrated before he died.

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The book is in perfect condition, with all bookplates inside. Twelve color illustrations in all.

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There are also some lovely black and white renderings at the introduction of each chapter.

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In the introduction, there is a letter from Theodore Roosevelt sharing had much he has loved this book.

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The book measures 9 x 6 x 9 inches, with a lovely blue hardcover with gold lettering.

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This book was published by Heritage Press, and printed in 1940. The Heritage Illustrated Bookshelf, A limited Edition Club.

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I understand that in 2012 there will be a new movie based on the book. Such a rare book, and so lovingly cared for, one would think that it was a collectible sitting on a shelf all these years.


The Wind in the Willows

The Wind In The Willows, placed in my etsy shop, For The Love of Old Books.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Halls of Fame of MY BOOKHOUSE



HALLS OF FAME OF MY BOOKHOUSE was edited by Olive Beaupre' Miller.

I was searching Brimfield's Antique Market last week for some treasures, and I found this delightful book. Published in Chicago in 1934, this lovely book is written so beautifully.

"Halls of Fame
Within these high-guilt Halls of Fame
Hang portraits done in youth
Of those who built this Wonder-house
of beauty, life, and truth."




In this beautiful book of stories, are the childhood biographies of authors like John Keats, William Shakespeare, Alfred Tennyson, and the list goes on. These stories are written in such a charming way.



Beautifully illustrated throughout with vivid colorful bookplates as well as black and white ones.



This book is 226 pages in all, the book is in perfect condition boasting a beautiful hard cover with a lovely illustration. There is a very in-depth index in the back of the book. This book was published in twelve volumes. This is Volume Twelve.



Each biography is written beautifully to capture a child's imagination.

William Wordsworth
A Boy of the Lake Country
"When the river Derwent has left the mountains to mirror on its bright blue waters and ruins of old castle towers, it flows along the margin of a grassy terrace where once a little cottage stood. In that cottage lived a boy of five whose playmate was the river."




Listed on my etsy shop For The Love of Old Books.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tennyson



Nothing can bridge the time back into the past like losing yourself in an Antique book dating back to 1884. Especially when it is the beautiful Poetical Works of Alfred Tennyson.



This book was published in 1884 by the H.B. Nims & Company in Troy, N.Y.



There are numerous illustrations in black and white engravings throughout.



This beautiful edition boasts a gorgeous leather cover in dark green with gold leafing. The edges of the pages still have the lovely gold leaf visible.



This volume is in lovely condition, with the exception of missing one of the first blank pages at the front. 398 pages in all measuring 6 1/2" x 10".



All of the illustrations are amazing. I am going to create a custom bookplate from one of the illustrations inside this treasure for you saying This book belongs to.


The Mermaid
"I would be a mermaid fair:
I would sing to myself the whole of the day,
with a comb of pearl I would comb my hair,
and still as I comb'd I would sing and say
"Who is it loves me, who love not me?"
I would comb my hair till my ringlets would fall,
low adown, low adown,
From under my starry sea-bud crown
low adown, low adown
And I should look like a fountain of gold
springing alone
with a shrill inner sound
over the throne
in the middle of the hall."

This very rare find is in my shop For The Love of Old Books.

You might enjoy listening to a poetry reading of Tennyson's The Brook.


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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The Journal of BEATRIX POTTER

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DSC06689Having read the story of Peter Rabbit all throughout my girls childhood, I have often imagined what Mr. McGregor's flower garden actually looked like.

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DSC06689As enchanting as a fairytale vegetable patch, I am sure.

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DSC06689Yesterday I found another treasure to add to my shop. Iwas browsing a book store specializing in rare and old children's books, I discovered this treasure. THE JOURNAL OF BEATRIX POTTER from 1881 to 1897. Transcribed from her code writings by Leslie Linder.

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DSC06689Evidently Beatrix wanted her journal to be read only by her

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DSC06689and proceeded to have the journal in her own secret code.

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DSC06689Leslie Linder translated this beautiful work and published this book in 1966.

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DSC06689"This Journal, which is a remarkable document was written only for her own eyes. It gives a first-hand account of Victorian life in the late 19th century and throws light on Beatrix Potter between the ages of 15 and 30, during which period comparatively little has hitherto been known."

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DSC06689"A collection of drawings and paintings selected and arranged by Mr. Leslie Linder and Mr. W. A. Herring with an Appreciation by Anne Carroll Moore.

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DSC06689Here is a unique presentation of the work of Beatrix Potter from childhood through maturity, which reveals her greatness as an artist and in some measure explains the secret of her charm."

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DSC06689Published in 1966 by Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd, London England. This book is filled with photographs of Beatrix, illustrations by Beatix Potter

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DSC06689and several family tree fold out pages. The book is 438 pages.

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DSC06689The book is in beautiful condition and has the original dust cover, also in beautiful condition.

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DSC06689"The volume is illustrated with pages from the Journal,

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DSC06689examples of her drawings and water colors, and photographs of the Potter family and of some of the pages mentioned in the Journal.

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DSC06689There are 28 illustrations in color and 39 in monochrome, and the volume includes Family Trees and a comprehensive index." This treasure is now in my shop, For The Love of Old Books.


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