These two books were my Dad's and I remember them my whole life. As a kid, I thought for sure they were real leather...but no, just enough leather like to fascinate a kid and spur my love of books. First, lets look inside the red book-The Century Readings in English Literature from 1924-right away there's the wonderful inside papers-a map of London from 1616!
It starts, of course, with Beowulf but that is in modern English (cheating, really!) and then there is the entire Canterbury Tales in Middle English!...wow! English as a foreign language! I loved reading this out loud-I thought I could understand it better (maybe a wee bit :)
There are all the important poets, from every period in England between the front leaf and the back leaf- a literary map of England...so if you know where your favorite poet was from you could find it on the map!
The second book is the Complete Works of William Shakespeare...complete with his signature on the cover! Boy, my Dad knew how to buy books! (thought my very young self :)
A very typical (1920s) marblized paper for the front and back leaves.
And what I liked the best, the ribbon to hold my place...such elegance! Its opened here to Romeo and Juliet but I think one of my kids must have left the ribbon there...I was much more bloodthirsty and loved, in particular, Richard III!
Hope you enjoyed a look at two very important books from my childhood! Its good to be back and I can't wait to hop on over the Suzanne's and see all the wonderful vintage treasures!
17 comments:
Oh, what beautiful books. Those are a treasure whether leather bound or not. Thank you so much for sharing a peek inside of them.
:)Bea
Books are there to be loved and read!
WOW these volumes are MAGIC!!..i can imagine the intrigue they held for you as a young child :)
I would have been fascinated by those books too.
Wow! What treasures. Your Dad must have instilled the love of reading. Thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful treasure of childhood. My Grandmother had a copy of Lorna Doone. It was small and very fine print. Wonder who has it?
I love old books...they are so great. Thanks for sharing them!
Happy VTT,
Kristine
What detail to these books. Boy did they know how to make a book a treasure then. I love the marbelized papers.
Sherrie
Oh, for the love of books...
Thanks for sharing!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy
You're so fortunate to have these books, Miri! I would just devour these!
Cheers!
That last picture looks for all the world like the pages of a Bible, doesn't it?
Neat old books.
Such treasures in these books. They probably fostered a love of reading. Happy VTT..have a great week.
Beautiful books, and they do look like real leather, I would treasure those, they are beauties. Have a great VTT!
What wonderful old books you have. I find them more interesting than some of the modern ones. Thanks for sharing and also for my visit. Be sure to check out my Tuesday,9-1 post.
Hi Miri,
Nice to meet you, and thanks for stopping by my blog! I love vintage books too, especially ones with childrens photos in them. Great books, thanks for sharing them.
Debbie :)
I love marbleized paper. I've been to Florence (Italy) several times and I always set aside time to pore over books and papers in the vendors' stalls. You would love it!
Evelyn in Montreal
These really are treasures! especially since they belonged to your dad.
Blessings & Aloha!
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