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!
