Thursday, May 29, 2008

Vintage Thingies Thursday Share ~ Old Books...



This past Saturday morning was rainy and cool, so needless to say most of the yard sales were canceled. However, I did swing by the flea market and one new guy was selling items from a vintage costume/antique store, that his wife had closed down years ago. I found some really neat, unique things, that I will share over the next two weeks during Vintage Thingies Thursday.


Today will be the books that I purchased....






I LOVE old books! Especially those that contain articles, pictures, and ads. Lidian, at Kitchen Retro blog, showcases vintage ads, and most are quite amusing...including her witty commentary! Check her out, if you enjoy this type of thing too!


Back to the Flea Market >>> One lady, who I know is a self-appointed antique expert with a sweet, kind personality...NOT!...tried to slip her hand to my book pile, as I was fishing them out of a bin! ...book snatcher! Of course, I knew then the books were probably more valuable than the $15 I paid for them all. But I did love them, so her confirmation wouldn't have mattered all that much!


I found two Bibles, one dated 1888, and the other did not have a copyright page. The book in the middle, below, was a German Evangelical Lutheran book, which my MIL thought might be a prayer book (?), and was dated 1892.






The Bible with no date, contained old photographs and obituary notices.




The fourth book I found, was a Harper's Magazine, June to November 1855! It is in great shape, considering it's age!



The magazine/book contained many articles and advertisements. It also featured a comic strip each month, called "Mr. Slim's," but they didn't make a lot of sense. "I guess you had to be THERE, huh...during that time!" LOL!


Below, is one of the ads for The Fashions of June, with an illustration of fashionable head dresses.





The November section contained house plans, which I have not seen in old books or magazines before.


This is the Simple Suburban Cottage, for the city. The estimated cost to build was $1500.






The following Log Cabin, was "a plan for a simple house for a well-to-do settler and his family." The reason I suppose it was for the more endowed, it was not just one big room, but also had a loft upstairs.






This SMALL Suburban House, which I didn't consider it small, was a three story home built of brick and cost $3500, to build.




Now moving on to the country houses (estates)...the IRREGULAR Country House. Not sure why it is deemed irregular, but it was also to be built of brick, for $16,000.





This beautiful home, featuring a winding staircase, was called a Pictureque Country House. It was intended for a physician, and was erected of brick and brown stone. Note the office and seperate entrance.







This grand house, the Picturesque Mansion, featured a fountain in the center corridor, that was built long to serve as a picture gallery. The magazine stated, "...residence is larger than required in a country like this." The price to build this home was $70,000....and keep in mind, this is 1855!








The following pictures are just examples of how I use old books in my decor...



~Rhonda ;)



(Take Note of the beautiful pear arrangement I bought from the Nester... I just love it!)



21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dont you just love a good find! I could spend hours in those books. They are great to add that extra touch too... Love your pears! I have seen so many pears here.... must be the "new thing". Nester does such great work. I love everthing she does... Many smiles your way, Susie H

Deb said...

Hi Rhonda, you really found some very interesting and old books. I love the houses, I wish that we could get them at that price now.:O} I love the way you used the books in your decor and I love the pear arrangement too. Well I'm just stopping in before I go out, and (Thanks)! Deb

Lidian said...

Oh, I'd like that little house, please...that sounds just fine.

What superb books you found - and that magazine! (you know how much I love old ads!)

In fact I am just about to post an ad I found especially for VTT, same era too, that's serendipity! :)

Your blog is so delightful every day!

Lidian

Anonymous said...

This was fascinating. Thanks for sharing your books with us.

Amelia said...

That was quite a purchase for just $15.00...I am sure they are more valuable than that...but the history behind them just blows my mind away..don't you wish you knew who held them, used them in prayer and then the dreams that were thought after seeing those house plans.

Your use in decorating just adds to that specialness of these old books.

Amelia

Susan said...

What wonderful old books, Rhonda. I'm a fan of old books, too. I really appreciate your sharing the pictures and descriptions of the house plans!!!! How interesting.
Susan

Ginny said...

Those look wonderful, I am a huge fan of books. I love vintage ones, so fun to flip through!

Heather said...

I love your old books. I have a big collection of old books as well and I adore them. I just found a home for them in my living room the other night- and am praying the kids don't climb the shelves to get to them! Talk about a bargain though- $15!!! You stole them! LOL!!!
Love how you incorporated them into your decor as well.... I am looking forward to seeing more of your finds in days to come!
-Heather :)

Unknown said...

What fascinating finds! I love the examples of homes. It's really neat that the Bible contained pics, etc. - makes it so interesting.

Amy said...

oh how wonderful! I too love reading and re-reading through old books :-)

The Apron Queen said...

Wish we could still get a house like that for $70,000! How interesting. Thanks for sharing! :D

For your daily dose of vintage goodness & a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen, the home of Vintage Thingies Thursdays.

JEWELGIRL said...

Love these books, it is interesting
to read about the past through old
books. Amazing about the prices
of houses then, but then they
only made 10 cents an hour?!
Looking forward to your next post.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Those old books are great! They have such texture and character. What a great way to use them!
Penny

Carrie said...

I enjoyed your tour through the Harper's magazine. I haven't seen anything like that at the stores I visit.

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Rhonda, I love old books. It looks like you found some fun treasures. I hope you love knock-out roses as much as I do. Hugs, Terrie

Rhondamum said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! What marvelous books! I love things that have such age and history to them. I always wonder whose hands once hold them and the way things were at that time. Amazing deal you got there friend.

Have a super day!
R...

Tootsie said...

morning! I love old books! I have a very old set of encyclopedias that my DH keeps telling me to get rid of.....Can't do it. I NEED them! I am hoping you have a great weekend...see you next week...by the way, I love that big green pear on your tea cart!

Unknown said...

What amazing finds! I am always on the lookout for books too! I posted some on my blog too. I love old books. Thanks for sharing yours! They are just lovely!

Southern Lady said...

Hi, Rhonda ... I hope this finds your Monday going well so far. I loved reading about and seeing your wonderful old books. What treasures! And your sweet story about your father-in-law and the rose paintings was such a nice way to start my day.

I always look forward to reading your stories and appreciate you visiting my "Southern Lagniappe," too.

You take care now ...
Janie

Sue said...

Rhonda,
I love old books too especially the ones relating to homemaking. Your collection and the way you use them are great.
Hugs,
Sue

Rue said...

Hi Rhonda :)

I love those old house plans! I would love to know where the farmhouse came from and how much it was to build it.

hugs,
rue