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Thursday, 28 July 2011

paper, pages and print...





I like the feel of worn paper in my hands and on my fingertips; slowly turning over the pages while holding the corner between my thumb and forefinger gives me a feeling of comfort. I have a fondness for the musty scent of old editions. I appreciate all the shades and textures that paper can be....from the whitest of whites to the butteriest of creams and from the finest of weaves to the heaviest of parchments... I have a soft spot for the bindings...the embossed, the golden, the black and whites or the multi coloured...I love the familiarity of fonts... at the end of a read they are like best friends......But most of all I appreciate that an old book has changed hands over and over. The thought that others have negotiated her pages, maybe made a note here and there or marked a meaningful passage...that is what sparks my interest....the silent connections between readers of all generations.

Paper, pages, print, bindings... books...glorious books....I couldn't live without them....xv

my daily click HERE

images - vicki archer

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42 comments:

  1. Lisa Chiodo27 July 2011 at 13:44

    Hi Vicki,
    I often would write little notes in the back of a book before passing it on. I haunt op shops (are there such things in France?)looking for something special to read and have passed the love of reading onto our children. If you were to lock me in any type of store I would be happiest in a book shop! Especially second hand books...ciao lisa

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  2. under spanish moss27 July 2011 at 13:46

    Vicki,
    Not only are we in love with beautiful books but vintage stationary. Haven't had a chance to view RUE yet but can't wait!
    Have a wonderful Wednesday!
    XO,
    Renee and Angela

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  3. Eleanor Blackham27 July 2011 at 14:00

    I love beautiful old things from the past. Everyday things like books and jewellery which connect us all x

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  4. Unknown27 July 2011 at 14:02

    You just cannot get all of that with a Kindle!

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  5. Katherine27 July 2011 at 14:04

    Even though we probably shouldn't touch such precious pieces so much, I can't resist the feel of a worn book. It is a wonderful silky sensation.

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  6. Mona Thompson Providence Ltd.27 July 2011 at 14:05

    I totally agree. Love books of all kinds. Unfortunately just don't get the time to read much anymore. Have a great day. Mona

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  7. Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass27 July 2011 at 14:56

    I love old books too, Vicki! My daughter laughs at me because I love the way the public library smells.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  8. Beadboard UpCountry27 July 2011 at 15:27

    You are such a good writer, Vicki. You truly have a knack for conveying your love for books and how they make you feel......I feel the same way, just can't express it........ Maryanne xo

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  9. FrenchBlue27 July 2011 at 15:55

    Your words are your canvas Vicki. You paint words like Van Gogh paints. I have thought every word you have written but just as everyone has seen sunflowers but never brushed it on canvas as this piece of art you just wrote! You've written one more step of our lives and you have painted it in the most magical way~
    xxx's

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  10. Dumbwit Tellher27 July 2011 at 16:11

    Vintage books are like old friends - the older they get, the more valuable and cherished they become. Not to leave out - interesting, and entertaining. I so enjoyed the newest issue of RUE. Your choice of photos was the best; what a magnificent room. Vicki wishing you a magnificent rest of this week.

    x Deb

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  11. Pamela Terry and Edward27 July 2011 at 16:54

    Yes! Yes! Yes!!

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  12. Jen27 July 2011 at 17:48

    Oh me too Vicki!! I just loooove the smell of old books!!
    Hope you are all well!!
    Hugs
    jen xo

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  13. DENISE.27 July 2011 at 18:46

    GASP! I love these photos. I'm with you -- I love old paper. So much texture and depth, both visually and spiritually, right? :)

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  14. Theresa Cheek27 July 2011 at 20:25

    You are preaching to the choir! I was a librarian for twelve years...I also make marbled bookbinding papers! The smell of a book store or library still make me giddy...no Kindle can give you that kind of experience. Creative people 'romance' the written word and enjoy the feel of leather and bindings. Left brainers just want the content and are happy with a kindle.Your words are so visual...great post!

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  15. à la parisienne27 July 2011 at 21:17

    As someone else mentioned, a Kindle can't hold a candle to books.
    Yes, musty pages and fine leather bindings of antique books represent how people used to savor knowledge one sentence at a time whereas many of us today, superficially seek knowledge for a quick fix, never allowing the information to soak in permanently.

    Mandy

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  16. Darla27 July 2011 at 21:20

    Yes, there is something beautiful about a hard copy!

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  17. Castles Crowns and Cottages27 July 2011 at 21:22

    Chère Vicki,

    Merci beaucoup mon amie for coming to visit me today. YOUR photo here is stunning capturing the worn colors of glories past in these brittle but precious volumes. I so agree with your view on the texture and sensation of a text handed over by many hands, soul after soul, with different perspectives being shaped and born from its pages. I must follow your blog....FRENCH ESSENCE is something I cannot live without, as a French teacher, a lover of all things French and an admirer of your finds!

    Merci mille fois pour tes mots si doux et tendres!

    Amicalement, Anita

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  18. Carolyn C.28 July 2011 at 00:13

    I so agree. I love old books. Just finished reading my grandmothers book from the early 1930's. Just the thought of her turning the pages just as I did warms my heart.

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  19. cathypentonatelier28 July 2011 at 00:59

    Oh I feel exactly the same way.....and I am lucky to work with old paper of any description...A crisp morning her in Qld but it looks like a beautiful day ahead...love to you c xx

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  20. Unknown28 July 2011 at 02:05

    Hello Vicki

    I adore old books - I definitely haunt the op shops and garage sales as well as school fetes.

    I have "someones" diary (I'll have to blog about it one day) that I found in a rummage sale - it is from the 1950's and it has so much information in it relating to egg laying hens, recipes of her friends and more

    I wish I knew the original owner

    have a lovely day

    x
    Loulou

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  21. quintessence28 July 2011 at 03:04

    What a lovely post!! I also feel books are like old friends after reading and i love your evocative phrase of others having negotiated its pages!!

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  22. Soulful Mama28 July 2011 at 04:01

    I agree on every level. I just adore old books. Dreaing about the life they've had, who has owned them before...

    ~ Clare x

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  23. Ann28 July 2011 at 05:44

    Oh I love books...

    And I'm totally a paper person too,
    that's why I can't stand ebooks nor the kindle thing where you read on the screen... I so love the feel of paper on my hands as I read a book.

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  24. beachvintage.com28 July 2011 at 06:11

    Wish I could smell them, I adore the smell of old books.

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  25. Anonymous28 July 2011 at 07:28

    I love my kindle and all, but it could never replace that feeling of paper, new and old, in my hands.

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  26. Tracy F.28 July 2011 at 13:42

    A beautiful post! I love books, magazines, newspapers... I'm usually drowning in paper! But, I can't even imagine getting a Kindle and not feeling the paper in my hands and being able to turn pages and use pretty bookmarks.

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  27. parisbreakfast28 July 2011 at 13:54

    so true...I used to make my own sketchbooks with Italian marble paper covers...
    so luxurious...

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  28. A Gift Wrapped Life28 July 2011 at 14:35

    Me too! I have a very special childrens book given to my son when he was young that always intrigues me with it's old inscription and funny phrases.I really must track the history down on this one. Hope your summer is going well Vicki. Will call to chat. Much love XO

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  29. The Gossamer Tearoom28 July 2011 at 15:07

    I love books too and working in a tiny independent bookstore was my first job as a teenager. I feel that books are necessary companions in our lives and believe they will continue to be. I agree that the stories they can tell beyond what was printed on their pages can be fascinating as well. I own a copy of collected short stories from The New Yorker from 1940 to 1950. Inside, a previous owner had printed (in pencil) the phrase "Pruning the prose bush". So charming, clever, yet appropriate! I probably keep this book as much for this phrase written in the front as the wonderful stories by Bemelmans and Thurber and others

    Betty

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  30. peggy braswell28 July 2011 at 15:20

    What a beautiful post! Keep on writing, as I adore reading them. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  31. Anonymous28 July 2011 at 15:57

    Vicki, I love books, old and new, and could never be happy with an ebook. Not only old books which have been read by many and are worn & faded, but the new books too. Reading, to me, is a sensory experience which no ebook can achieve. ~Sue~

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  32. Cathi28 July 2011 at 17:31

    Bookshops are my second home. I have always wanted to have a used bookshop/cafe...maybe I still will one day! xxoo :)

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  33. Anonymous28 July 2011 at 17:41

    Oh Vicki,
    These are so delicious I could eat them! What a beautiful collection and love the photography too!

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  34. Natalie28 July 2011 at 18:28

    Dear Vicki! It's so true! What a beautiful post. I worked in a huge Fine Arts library and worked close with theatre production designers and movie set designers (long before Google came to life), helped to research and create an ambiance. I loved historic productions. Hundreds of albums and antique books passed my hands. Still remember that feel and smell and touch.
    Loved those Journal du Mode printed in XVIII century with printed and hand coloured pictures of the latest Parisian FACONS and Revue du Mode of the XIX century with the remarks on the edges left by the beauty of the time for the couturiere. I love the books with patina.
    A-propos. About bindings.You wonderful book My French Life arrived. It is put together so thoughtfully. Love the content, pictures and lovely inscriptions in handwriting. And the soft binding is... huggable.
    Thank you for a joy of reading. I'm almost there with you...
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nataliedesigns

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  35. Amy28 July 2011 at 20:17

    My heart clenched when I saw these gorgeous books! I, too, love the old paper, the old illustrations, the scent, the feel. Love.

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  36. Tish Jett28 July 2011 at 20:55

    Hello, dearest Vicki,

    I couldn't agree with you more. I love books -- I love your books btw, but you know that.

    Curiously we were reminiscing in the same world today. Yours was more romantic, but still technology aside, what a sad place the world would be without books. They have, as my pal James noted, "a soul."

    xox,
    Tish

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  37. DolceDreams28 July 2011 at 20:59

    I love books too, and the older the better ~ I love what you do with them!
    Have a relaxing weekend,
    Nathalie

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  38. Mélanie A.28 July 2011 at 23:12

    I love your books vignettes

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  39. Shell Sherree29 July 2011 at 09:12

    Gorgeous images, Vicki... I love my old books, too. I have a little stack of well-worn Agatha Christie French editions next to my bed ~ not well-worn by me, but they are symbolic of my promise to better my French! Here's to another lovely weekend...

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  40. Anonymous29 July 2011 at 13:32

    Dear Vicki, I love your photos, writing and vignettes. I notice a group of old books which seems to be covered in a clear protective wrap.Could you tell me what you use for that purpose (or is it an optical illusion)?
    Thank you for sharing your lovely vision of life.
    Best regards,
    Ruth

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  41. Laura @ 52 FLEA31 July 2011 at 15:55

    me too. I feel the same way.
    Photos are scrumptious!

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  42. lara dunston22 August 2011 at 11:59

    Lovely post. Books will always have that something special, won't they? I don't think we need bestsellers or airport novels in print - I'd be quite happy if they only came out in electronic form - but print should never die for the truly special timeless stories and books.

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Thank you for visiting French Essence... I love to read your comments and I hope you will be back often... xv