bibliophile — a collecter of books
I am a collector.
I collect things I like. I don’t have a particular interest or object that draws me. I like what I like in the moment and then I need to have a few more of what I like.
The other day, in a post, I talked about my chair collection.
Old books are another thing I like to own—and not just because I like to decorate with books, but books are especially tied to the owner’s soul. A few of those books belonged to my husband’s parents and consist of Catholic prayer books and missals. They date back to the early 1920’s.
I’ve displayed a few old ones on a glass cake platter and also in small piles here and there —like my mother-in-law’s old Singer sewing machine. I like to create vignettes with my books so I can display them more readily and have tangible reminders of people I loved.
Inside my mother-in-law’s prayer book are prayer cards — these are mostly obituary or memorial types of cards that include the person’s date of death and a prayer to a Catholic saint. She also tucked in some personal notes and a few book marks.
The spline has eroded over the years. I used some jute to tie it together. Inserted under the jute is a skeleton key of unknown origin that was found in my father-in-law’s possessions after he died.
Having these books on display is a reminder of lives once lived and memories of their presence and love in my life.
bib·li·o·phile - ˈbiblēəˌfīl/
noun:-a person who collects or has a great love of books
Merriam Webster Dictionary
a person who collects or has a great love of books
Merriam Webster Dictionary
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That key, though...
Yes....that key though.....it's a story of it's own. Whatever it is, I don't know. But .... it's special.
Nice photos! Those look like some old tomes, indeed. They'd make great photography props, too...
I miss being able to read for pleasure!
You don't read for pleasure?
thanks for liking my photos and old books....I appreciate your comments.
Most of my reading is for grad classes these days. I'm also dyslexic and have vision problems that further complicate matters. Maybe this summer I'll find a good audio book, though.
Yes do that!!! I would so miss reading. What classes are you taking?
So beautiful books you have! Me and hubby collected books to and we have some old bible in our shalves, some of them are really beautiful and they can talk to us many different stories about the previous owners and this is fantastic for me. We have a special love with old books (and also new books, sure ^_^) and when we find some scratches of them (just some pages or the cover) or some destroyed old book we use that parts to create sculptures or paintings, to give them a new life.
Yes, I think I recall you writing about your love of books. And how you and your husband give each other books for Christmas - you rec'd a children's book this year. I loved that post. I have some old Hardy Boy books that I will be sharing soon. I need to gather some information first and take some photos of course.
I also use old books for projects. I just did that for our anniversary. I had a boo boo bible - it was missing two books, can you imagine?? lol. I used one of the pages and did some lettering on it near a passage that was special to my husband and then framed it in an antique frame.
I've seen all kinds of interesting projects from wreaths to shelving, giving new life to the old book. Have you ever seen books make into shelves? Very cool looking. This isn't my photo but a link to Country Living Magazine for you to see. I did do this project but don't have a photo - I did it for my daughter's first apartment.
It's really a nice project to do!!! I've also seen some lamps created using old books and they are really awesome!!! I think to use them to give another life is a nice way to have them always close to us ^_^
Some of those old books make for wonderful photos! I understand the personal connection as well.
They are very special which is partly why I display them. Sometimes I'll go through them but the paper and spline are very delicate now. Hopefully I'll be able to pass them on to one of my grandkids.
I love old books. My most prized possession is a leather bound Tennyson book. I just love the feel of the book and the smell of the old leather and the musty pages.
Oh that sounds special. Tennyson a romantic poet. I love the smell and feel of books too. I prefer to hold a book than read my kindle anyday.
I love these photos. The key makes it. Great job.
Thank you! The key is special. I don't know the story behind because it was broken and didn't fit anything - I thot it was a bank lock box key but nope. It's just a keepsake with a secret.
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Old books are invaluable, not in money but as a memory of former owners. I own some old books, for example, a very old "Statenbijbel" (bible) in the spelling of the 17e century and some other old books, they belonged to my grandfather who was born in 1898. When I see those books, I see the owners and old memories come up.
Oh that is amazing!! I looked it up and that's the first translation from Hebrew Aramaic and Greek to the Dutch language. So special to have that from your grandfather. Mine was born in 1896 - but I never met him - he died in the early 50's before I was born.
Oh!! Books!! One of my favorite things on earth!!
Ah, collecting things. Better not get me started on that one. Such a fun endeavour. I too, collect many different things.
I love these, and that you display them. And with all the personal history, it is so much more meaningful and I can imagine a touchstone to the past when you see them. Always fascinating, and I find it a bit sad at times, when you truly sit back and think about history and those that have passed before us. Thanks for sharing more of your collectables.
It's true that it can bit a bit sad..but sad is part of life isn't it. Fond memories bring a lot of different emotions. I do love having them around and seeing them. Sometimes they just disappear in the background because I'm used to them....like background noise. Other times when I notice they are there I'll pick one up and go through it.