I've always loved books. I started reading early, declared myself an English major the day I entered college, and always wanted to work in publishing. I'm currently in 2 book discussion groups, one of which I founded over 20 years ago.
Knowing my predilection for book-hoarding, it shouldn't surprise you that today was one of the highlights of the year for me: the semi-annual library sale (half-price day)! YAY! Since I always set my tractor-beam towards the "old books/collectibles" section, it's mandatory that I wait until half-price day. I bite my nails and pace in the 3 days leading up to half-price day, knowing I'll miss out on some good stuff, but these books can be costly.
I struck gold today, though:
The little blue book is Flore Coloriee de Poche du Littoral Mediterraneen de Genes a Barcelone y Compris la Corse (1902) aka "Cool Old French Book with 144 Colored Floral Drawings".
The big fat book is Carpenter's Principles of Human Physiology (1850). I'm a big sucka for anything with physiology drawings (phrenology in particular—so keep your eyes peeled for them)! It's got loads of detailed 19th-century drawings of digestive tracts and other internal organs. I wish I'd had this book when that young doctor came by and cleaned out my booth of all medical-related items to decorate her new office.
The purple book is AMAZING: Household Elegancies: Suggestions in Household Art and Tasteful Home Decorations (1875). It's also loaded with drawings, with a lot of household decorating projects, mainly focusing on botanicals and other nature-inspired elements. An excerpt from the introduction:
"Home! Is there a sweeter word in any language than that of Home? What can bring brighter pictures of joy; what can give images to remain longer on the mind; what can we treasure more tenderly than memories of Home; and where, in all the earth, can happier hearts be gathered, but in the delighted precincts of Home? ...
"To the ladies of America, lovers of Home decorations, and ardent imitators of every hint and tasteful suggestion, we present you these pages, and offer our greeting, with the cordial wish, that in every Home where enters this dainty volume, there may be a welcome rich and long remembered."
There's more, and it's GOOD. If one of us wrote like that, we'd be the new Martha. Nay, Martha would be TOAST. I need to do some research on this Mrs. C.S. Jones.
Oddly enough, it's like reading a modern day blog. It also has amazing 19th-century advertising in the back with killer graphics.
The small black book is Union Prayer Book (1894), a rabbis' manual for Yom Kippur services. This is only the second old book with Hebrew in it that I've come across. I'm not sure members of the tribe are all that into scrapbooking/mixed media with Hebrew, but if I've only found 2—they must be pretty scarce. I've been told that the reason I find so few old Catholic bibles is that the Catholic church didn't allow people to have their own bibles; they were to take all biblical information directly from their priest. I didn't know that! Maybe it's the same in old-time Jewish households?
In addition, I found a 1906 German-English dictionary. I'm a HUGE lover of dictionaries and have them in nearly every language. I also bought 2 decorating books (Decorating on a Dime and In the Romantic Style) as well as a few contemporary novels, all for under $1! Libraries are our greatest societal treasure, on oh-so-many levels. I'm proud to me a member/contributor/customer. Seriously. Call me a geek.
Many of the books I buy are strictly for the graphics, or the unusual subject matter, and many are destined for my alleged etsy shop and/or the artists' retreat vendor show I hope to do this summer. I know it's appallingly tragic to disassemble these books for art projects, but I'd rather they live on in an art form than be destined for a trash bin. Of late, I feel like I'm running a rescue squad for books....
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At the last Big Flea, I picked up this amazing 5-book set: Personality Development: A Practical Self-Teaching Course, published by the Better-Speech Institute of America (1939). Oh.My.Lord. I sooooo wish I'd had this back in 7th grade health & home ec. It definitely would've piqued my interest! I've been sitting on this book set for about 6 weeks. It's a total hoot, with a huge emphasis on posture, modesty, grooming, etc.
You know: "Your make-up is important."
And, as a parting note, something to make us all feel better (if we lived in 1939):
Ta-da! We're underweight! I just might laminate this page and staple it to my driver's license. Or possibly staple it to my forehead on days I'm feeling fat....
Oh please can I have a copy of the weight guide to add to my license? :) I think it gets lower each day....fashion mags must be helping them with the guidelines. Love the books and that reminds me that I need to add our library sale to my calendar this month as well!
Posted by: The Brocantess | 26 October 2009 at 12:49 AM
I could use a copy of that chart too! Funny, seems like people were so much smaller then, since old clothes are so tiny.
Posted by: Karla Nathan | 26 October 2009 at 12:51 AM
What an enjoyable post! I love rescuing old books too! You really got a haul!
Posted by: Laura Duet | 26 October 2009 at 07:43 AM
Your books are wonderful. What do you plan to do with them?
Posted by: Stan Williams, The Elegant Thrifter | 26 October 2009 at 07:52 AM
Fab book finds, Sue. Wow, you must have quite the collection. p.s. whoever that young doctor was shopping in your booth, he/she is definitely cool!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | 26 October 2009 at 08:05 AM
That Personality Development Course is awesome. I will have to post about a similar book that I got several years ago --the photographs of suggested "exercises" are hilarious.
Posted by: Kim | 26 October 2009 at 12:49 PM
Oh yes - give me books, books and more books! I LOVE the purple one that puts Martha to shame. Come to think of it, I love anything that does that!
Posted by: Tammy Christian | 26 October 2009 at 04:40 PM
Love your taste in books! I think we have very similar bibliophile styles. I collect home "beautification" Victorian books- I especially love the crafty sections which talk about decoupage and flower arranging. Good haul!
Posted by: Stacey | 26 October 2009 at 07:53 PM
Um, could you turn the page so us gals over 30 could check our ideal weight?
Posted by: Mitzi Curi | 27 October 2009 at 07:56 AM
Great books - I uses a lot of these for my card making business but they also make cool vignettes for my antiques clients in their stores and I sell old books like hot cakes - lucky finds! Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Ingram | 28 October 2009 at 10:36 AM
These are great books.. I love following along to see your latest finds,most are just wonderful.
Posted by: CC | 29 October 2009 at 07:35 PM