Thursday, February 21, 2008

Antique Books ~ Art Works Inside & Out

This is the bookshelf in our family room, next to the fireplace. I am slowly filling it with my vintage book collection.Fun stops from Maine down through to Virginia have helped fill in the gaps here and there. I usually keep the price to 5.00 and under. If it costs more than my set price...well, it has to be a special book, like a classic, or the artwork on the cover has to be intricate.





The artwork is probably what appeals to me the most. You just don't find this kind of detail on books anymore. Each one is different, like a snowflake! And of course, I love the metallic titles on the binding. SO elegant.






I always keep these three together...since they all seem to have romantic titles and the colors compliment each other. (I never said I was an intellectual. It's all about how they LOOK.)


This is my poetry section. (Like I have a library or something! I also have a classics section. Hey, at least they're not alphabetized with the Dewey decimal system.) The white Tennyson book has the most beautiful pink rose on the cover, otherwise it wouldn't fit the "criteria" I have in mind for what kind of book makes it onto THE BOOKSHELF. But this white book, albeit boring on the binding, is gorgeous on the front. So, I make exceptions. I'll have to add a picture of it for you.



This book I keep in it's own special holder on the mantle...my Dear Hubby brought it home one day for me. Very sweet! But, I only keep it out during winter... which is kind of ironic, because if anyone has been following my blog for any length of time, would know I can't stand winter...and would be very happy if we only had spring, summer, and fall.


And I can't believe it, I've actually put together another edition of Show & Tell friday....all started over at Kelli's House.

Stop by and visit her blog! There are lots of other great blogs with stories of their own!



34 comments:

Cheryl said...

What a great idea for a collection... hmmmm now I want some "pretty" books as well!

Linda said...

Hi Jillian, I love your beautiful book collection, they art really works of art. Thank you for sharing these treasures. Linda

mrsjojo said...

Thanks for sharing, Ienjoyed seeing your treasured library!

TJ said...

This is beautiful! Everything just seems to fit so well. Like in a magazine.

I am a bit envious, as there is always something on my shelves that I'm attempting to keep the kids out of, so they never look half as nice as yours! :)

Thanks for sharing!

Kelly @ The Barefoot Mama said...

Your collection is fantastic, Jillian! Just beautiful and such an exquisite display. I love old books. Wonderful share!

Gattina said...

This all looks very decorative and certainly warms up the place !

Susan said...

Not only a wonderful collection but a beautiful display of your wonderful old books.
Susan

cherished*vintage said...

Hi Jillian! Your books are displayed beautifully. I love old books!
-Karoline

Hootin Anni said...

My hands, right now, are just itching to just be able to run my fingers over the antiquated books....wow. It takes my breath away.

My show n tell is shared, I hope you can come over to visit with me. Have a great weekend.

Ganeida said...

Oh, I want to get my hands on your books; I love the way old books smell & the feel of a proper cover.

Constance said...

I have several old books myself! I purchased my first for $4 when I was just 12 years old! Yours are in beautiful shape, one of the criteria I'm sure! I love how you have displayed them, creating little interesting vignettes on the shelves with other treasures!
Connie

Anonymous said...

I wish I had the room to display all the old books I have. Yours is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful collection. I laughed when you said that you liked the "look" of the book, not necessarily what the book was about! I sometimes do the same thing!

Thanks for sharing.

You can check out my show & tell at http://anapronaday.blogspot.com

Natasha Burns said...

Hi Jillian,
Your old books are so beautiful! I too 'judge a book by its cover' - well, particuarly old ones anyway!!!

j said...

The spines of those books are just beautiful! Thanks for sharing - Jen

Anonymous said...

They're just gorgeous! I love the lettering, and so often they have little raised designs, too.

JennV said...

What a beautiful collection you have!

Michelle said...

Jillian!

Love the books and the way you've decorated your shelves..just perfect!

Have a great Friday!

Michelle

Liz Harrell said...

What a great selection! I'm such a sucker for books, I cant seem to get rid of them and they are taking over the house!

About my mixer, I have no idea why I named her Jillian at Christmas. I just always liked that name and have a weird habit of naming items in my house.

But, it's pretty funny that you're both red heads! :)

Lori Stilger said...

Beautiful shelves! I don't think your white book is at all boring, though - that's quite classy, with the gold on the binding. :)
Thanks for sharing! Have a BLESSED day!

Cathy said...

What a wonderful collection! I like those 3 books together too. Now that would be a neat idea--to collect titles that tell a story or say something when put together.

Cathy :)

Heather said...

Those are gorgeous books!! Very cool collection, and I love the way you've been choosy about which ones to add to the collection. The overall effect is awesome! ;o)

Connie Marie said...

You have a BEAUTIFUL collection - I want to see the flower from the Tennyson book.

Thanks for sharing today, I enjoyed peeking at THE BOOKSHELF.

Martha said...

I love your old books. I have a fancy for old books. The winter one would be my favorite - as I LOVE winter. (YOu can have spring - :)0

Thanks for sharing,
~Martie

Michelle said...

Hi Jillian,
Stop by..I've got something for you!

Michelle

nancy said...

You have really found some gorgeous books. Aesthetically they are awesome. Sometimes that's what matters! Can I say it?"They don't make 'em like that any more!" Thank you for sharing.
Nancy

Betty said...

Well, now, Miss Julian I think you do have a library....maybe small, but you do have one, in my opinion.....

Thanks for visiting and commenting on my silver basket....Betty

Genevieve said...

There are 2 more things we have in common, I love old books and I hate winter!hehe!I have no use for5 Winter after the holidays.I think we should go straight from Christmas to Spring !!!! If it snows again I am going to flap my wings and fly south!!!!!!! We are going to Oregon next week for about a week,when we get back I expect it to be Spring here in PA, will you work on that for me while I am gone???Thanks I knew I could count on you!!!!!

Jessica said...

I usually head for the bookshelf first at our local second-hand shop. There are always some interesting finds!

Thanks for sharing.

Kelli said...

Wow! What a beautiful collection, Jillian! You have everything displayed wonderfully too! I'd love to come over for tea. :0)
~Kelli

Hummingbird Chats said...

I love how you have decorated the bookshelves, all the beautiful glassware really set the books out. I also collect old books, and this has given me a good idea or two on how to show them. KAtie

Amy said...

We share a love of old beautiful books.
Although I love to read and learn new things and enjoy stories...I have bought many books for the cover alone and never plan to venture inside the front cover to discover what it may hold secret within!!!
I would love to have built in book shelves just like what you have. Some day!!
Until then, it's free standing shelves that I move around much too often.
Amy

Heidi said...

I have a real weakness for a pretty vintage book and your collection is just amazing Jillian!!! I love the look of only these old beauties on the shelves but have more regular books than vintage ones on my shelf. I use my vintage books in various places including my sidetable where they can be shown off.

Thanks for sharing!

Hugs ~
Heidi

violetlady said...

I also have a small collection of very old books and I agree -- the best part are the beautiful covers and bindings. Your display is very nice!