Wednesday 28 July 2010

Vintage Books

After reading Tamzin's latest post about her tin collection over at The Little Vintage Company blog I decided to share a few of my collections. I thought I would start with books. Anyone who knows me knows my house is coming down with books of all kinds. I have books everywhere and my new cupboard is now crammed with books. I have put some of my vintage books at the front because their covers are too lovely to be hidden from view.


I didn't intend to use the cupboard for books but for now that's what it holds. I am still debating whether to take the paintbrush to it but will live with it for a while.

The stained glass doors match the windows above .


I love old annuals for the pictures on the covers.

The annual in the basket is one of my favourites, it has a great picture of a vintage caravan on the front.




The Josephine books have beautiful illustrations by Honor C Appleton. The Mabel Lucie Attwell illustrated Water Babies was a charity shop find some years ago.


Last weekend we went to Birmingham for the first time in a few years and I had a good look round the Cath Kidston sale in Selfridges.

I couldn't resist the miniature basket and the little cases. They were all in the sale and although I know they are meant to be for children I couldn't resist them knowing I would put them to use as storage for something.

Birmingham really has a lot to offer these days including some amazing architecture and a talking bull outside the Bullring shopping centre!


14 comments:

Unknown said...

I love old books and have just added two to my collection perhaps its time to come out the closet and show them on my blog.
Have a lovely weekend when it arrives.
Beverley x

carole johnston said...

O'h how I enjoyed this blog.I remember some of those books and I have a few and some boys annuals that I got at our op shop as they were going to hrow them out NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I will take them hence they are with me now.I would not have been able to resisst the litle boxes either and i woulf have been over at the aprons like a magnet being an apronaholic lol.Your bookcase under the window pic is just beautful and how lovely that it is the perfect size. Happy collecting.

sharie said...

I just posted about mabel Lucie Atwell type figure I found. I love her illustrations , so sweet.
I'm a sucker for vintage books but haven't got as many as you. thats quite a collection!!

The Little Vintage Company said...

Gorgeous collection! Book covers are so inspiring and the illustrations are beautiful! Glad my cushions have gone to such a lovely home, the vintage fabrics compliment the leather perfectly!

I visited the CK sale with my mum this week and she was very tempted by the cases!

Tamzin X

Ticking stripes said...

Your books look great in the new cupboard!

Lisa said...

The illustrations are just so beautiful aren't they. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa x

A Treasured Past said...

Hi Ann, thanks for sharing, I love to see what others collect! I love old books too! I think I inherited this from my mother who has fond memories of receiving a book each xmas with a piece of fruit, which she cherished. I have huge pile on a little bookshelf next to my computer. Your book collection looks lovely in your cupboard. Love the image on the School Girls Annual at top :) bye, Tamara xo

VintageWantsNotNeeds said...

My father always worked in the book trade and even had his own book shop and so I was brought up surrounded by books. I love books too and seeing your selection made me drool with envy. They look great in the bookcase and it looks super where you have placed it. There you are you can always find a spot for something you love, thats my mantra...
Debbie

bellaboo said...

Ah...that's what you decided to put in your cupboard...lovely old books.A good place to keep them and they won't get dusty.You have a great collection there and...YES...paint the cupboard!

Bellaboo ;o)

Tabbyroo said...

Great book collection, I really like the way you've displayed them with the cover showing Linda x

melanie said...

I am in love with your books! I am so so jealous, they are absolutely gorgeous, thats it, I am going to make it a mission of mine to collect vintage books, its your fault you know, after seeing all yours I simply have to have them, lol.
I love your CK basket, and the cases are just gorgeous, dosnt she have some beautiful things :) xxxxx

melanie said...

Hiya, I hope you dont mind, but I have linked you to my latest blog post :) xxxx

Unknown said...

I love books, and you are right, those covers are too lovely to hide! The cupboard is beautiful, I just adore stained glass. I haven't been to Birmingham for ages, now I feel like going!

Thank you so much for your warmth and kindness and soothing words on my blog, it means a lot to me, and you have helped me a lot. Hugs. Susie xxx

Hesta Nesta said...

I also love books, the pictures on the cover are fabulous. I have recently bought two books for boys from the 50's and have read some of the stories, real Dan Dare stuff!!
Jo xx