Treasure Box Wednesday: Good Books on Snowy Days


The days have turned colder, and many of us across the U.S. have seen our first signs of those little white flakes. (No, no, not dandruff-- those other little white flakes.) And in times when the wind blusters and howls, and the cold winds cut through the jackets, there's nothing more appealing than thoughts of a comfy chair, a nice hot beverage, and a good book.

So since I didn't go thrifting this last week (no thrifting?!- GASP!), today I peered into the Treasure Box and found these lovely Victorian books to share with you.

I'd written a post on Victorian pulp fiction a while back (you can read that here if you're interested), but there's such a wide range of beautiful covers to share, one post really couldn't contain them.

I mean, just look at The Fortunes of Fifi...


With a title like that, you just know there's peril and adventure ahead for the plucky heroine! And look at the art nouveau curves to the cover, and the soft pastels. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Or this tiny little chapbook of "The House of Seven Gables" by Nathaniel Hawthorne...


The intricately done cover has a strikingly-detailed ingraving inset right into it. You can see that closer here...


And here-- call me "Ishmael!" Okay, so maybe literature has room for two Ishmael's...


I have yet to read this particular one, but I suspect it doesn't involve a white whale. If it did, it would probably be pictured behind the charming art of the lady with the letter on the cover. (And wouldn't she be startled!)

I've had this colorful copy of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage for a number of years...

The curving vined roses are always a real pleasure to see.

This copy of Maggie Miller picks up similar colors in its palette, with the red of her Gibson Girl tie, and the bright bonnet using all the vividness of the time...


Mary Holmes' Meadow Brook is another read ready to showcase the idealized girl of its time...


With her large hat, bouffant hairdo and trim suit, these girls were a standard around the turn-of-the-century in art and on household items.

This copy of Tales from Shakespeare involves an almost William Morris style pattern of pine cones, pine needles and spring daffodils....

It's a real shift of the seasons.

And lastly, we have this small children's booklet for Easter...

"The Secret to a Happy Day," it's called.

Here's hoping you uncover the secret to your own happy day, whatever it may be-- for this day, and throughout this week...

Perhaps it's a good book?

See you for the next post on Sunday!

11 comments:

Sweet Sage said...

i SO love these old books~
the titles, the covers .. they are all so precious~
a lovely collection~
~kim

Anonymous said...

Sweet Sage- Thank you, Kim-- I feel similarly and am glad others share in it.

They've survived 100+ years now, and show a bit of wear, but they're a little bit of art and a little bit of history.

Carrie said...

The graphics on these covers are so appealing. The art of book design was so well done back then.

Anonymous said...

Those books were works of art. Just beautiful! Do you display them somehow or are they tucked away somewhere? Would be a shame to just file like any old ordinary paperback with just the spines showing.

Those are truly treasures.:)

Lana Gramlich said...

It's true what they say...they don't make 'em like they used to. These lovely books will long outlast our modern paperbacks, for sure. Thanks for sharing. I needed a spot of beauty in my day.

Unknown said...

Carrie- It really was. I know in part these books were chosen because of their unique covers-- it was their clever marketing back then.

Chyna- I display them on the Victorian styled book case at the end of my entryway, along with some art nouveau portrait plates and two small spelter Victorian busts. The items are all from the same time range, and work really nicely together.

Lana- I'm always glad to brighten the day a bit with nifty old things!

Unknown said...

I am so glad I found your blog I love victorian. These books look so wonderful

Anonymous said...

I love reading your posts! This one was especially great to read. Nineteenth century literature is my favorite and these are great finds!

Michelle/ Goodwill of Northern New Egnland

Anonymous said...

I love this post,because your listed history,but i did got much information about England.. more on site...

Anonymous said...

What beautiful books! I too am a book collector. I really enjoyed your post!!
I will be back!!
Marilyn

Jenn Thorson said...

Liz and Michelle- Thank you-- it's so good to know there are still other fans of Victoriana out there!

And Michelle- it's a delight to have someone from Goodwill read the blog. Goodwill is among my favorite haunts.

Marilyn- Ah, there is really nothing like a good book!