Sans Reproche

I am amazed by the intricate details of this antique book. It is a Value Village find, Sans Reproche by Edmond Coz, circa 1913, although the Art Nouveau styling leads me to presume it's actually from the late 1800s.

Look at the stunning black and red cover art, with the misregistration of the black outlines over gold floral. That star pattern below the title gives me fabric collection coordinate ideas. Plus the book has gilded pages.

The flyleaf inscription even boasts this elegant handwriting! I feel like every time I turn the page of an antique book I am flinging open another door to clues of social and stylistic history--what a treasure hunt.

October Garden

I love gardens in October. The bees become dazed, and the twigs get crispy, but there are still a few defiantly peachy roses hidden in the brambles. Frost wilts the nasturtiums but makes the apples sweeter.

Christmas '48

My great-grandmother wrote this on the back of her desk. Note her teacherly penmanship! I absolutely adore finding little scribbles like this--it's insight into past lives, and past Christmases!

Daydreamer Plate

I found this little wall plate at a thrift store for $3 and love it with all my heart. The blue and white, birds and flowers, sweetly scripted poem, and quirky off-center hanging hole are what make it charming perfection. I wonder, did someone receive this as a gift from a dear friend going away?

Scripts

If you are a typography enthusiast you will squeal with delight while flipping through Scripts by Steven Heller and Louise Fili. It features photographs of French, British, German, Italian, and American labels, ads, titles, and the like with a calligraphic flair. It is an invaluable resource for many forms of art.