Sketchbook

This is a week of observing, reading, pondering, and doodling. 

1897 Art Nouveau book cover of Sketchbook by Washington Irving, 1820.

L.M. Montgomery Journals

I found these delightful diaries at a used book store for a total of $15. The first volume begins with entries from Mongomery at age 15, and chronicles her friendships, school adventures, career development, and maturing introspection. She certainly had plenty of men falling head over heels for her! The journal entries are charming, witty, honest, and absolutely enthralling, and I can't get my hands on the next 3 volumes fast enough!

Lace and Ginger

I love the softness of this scene from the '80s Anne of Green Gables mini-series.

1898 Art Nouveau Book

 Not too long ago I was picking up some old art magazines from a library archives building. While lifting one of the boxes of magazines onto a trolley, a book in another box caught my eye. I saw something turquoise and ornate, and pulled out this Art Nouveau beauty.

I cracked it open and found that it was printed in 1898! As I was flipping through it, I turned to the elderly woman who was the volunteer book sorter helping me with the magazines and asked where this book was going. She said to a used book store. I asked how much it would cost there. She said probably around $30. We flipped through it some more. I drooled. She saw me drooling. She said she'd give it to me for $5. I grabbed some change out of my coat pocket.   

And now it's sitting in my house.

It is such a fancy book--complete with a gilt pages and golden lily motifs on the covers!

As it turns out, it is a French biography about Capitaine Belletable. I guess I'll have to read it to find out what made this dude so special.

Something I love about old books is the bookmarks that hide in them. I found this perfectly-penned list (look at that calligraphy!) snuggled between the pages.

What a find!