DETAILS
SERIES
I have a soft spot for series & took a few detail shots of some of my favorite vintage paperback series this morning.
Showing posts with label DETAILS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DETAILS. Show all posts
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BOOKS AT HOME
ATTIC APARTMENT IN VIENNA
About 2 years ago my friend Abby forwarded this awesome NYT shoot of the Viennese attic apartment of Ingrid and Christian Reder. It's made its way around the blogosphere since then, but I keep going back to look at this one for some reason. Could it be the ideal blend of well-worn classic furniture with well-chosen contemporary art? The thoughtful lay-out that makes a 1,700 square-foot apartment feel like comfortable home? Or could it be, just maybe, the books, lining the walls of every room in the house? It's all of the above, of course, but though my home is loaded with shelves, this place still gives me something to aspire to...
BOOKS AT HOME
ATTIC APARTMENT IN VIENNA
About 2 years ago my friend Abby forwarded this awesome NYT shoot of the Viennese attic apartment of Ingrid and Christian Reder. It's made its way around the blogosphere since then, but I keep going back to look at this one for some reason. Could it be the ideal blend of well-worn classic furniture with well-chosen contemporary art? The thoughtful lay-out that makes a 1,700 square-foot apartment feel like comfortable home? Or could it be, just maybe, the books, lining the walls of every room in the house? It's all of the above, of course, but though my home is loaded with shelves, this place still gives me something to aspire to...
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10 PICTURES
from Instagram
Been having a lot of fun posting to IG lately. See the feed here.
10 PICTURES
from Instagram
Been having a lot of fun posting to IG lately. See the feed here.
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ETC.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND ERASER
This crisp little bit of stationary was gift from a friend at the National Library of Scotland. One of the last of their erasers showing the Library's lovely old logo, which has for some reason been changed to this. They do keep some of the old stuff though, as evidenced by the staff canteen (above) in the building where he works. The room retains remnants of the biscuit factory that used to stand there.
ETC.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND ERASER
This crisp little bit of stationary was gift from a friend at the National Library of Scotland. One of the last of their erasers showing the Library's lovely old logo, which has for some reason been changed to this. They do keep some of the old stuff though, as evidenced by the staff canteen (above) in the building where he works. The room retains remnants of the biscuit factory that used to stand there.
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DETAILS
LIBRARY AVIARY
The first day of Spring was brought home to me by waking up to birds, singing brightly in our nectarine tree. When I raised the blinds in my library, the morning light poured in on the bookshelves and seemed to pick out the many birds that publishers use as a colophon. From the Smithsonian's Owl of Minerva and Norton's solitary seagull, to the classic Penguin/Pelican/Puffin trio and Duckworth's equally literal duck, they were all over the shelves. I saw them as welcoming the new season, and this day will always mean a lot to me.
DETAILS
LIBRARY AVIARY
The first day of Spring was brought home to me by waking up to birds, singing brightly in our nectarine tree. When I raised the blinds in my library, the morning light poured in on the bookshelves and seemed to pick out the many birds that publishers use as a colophon. From the Smithsonian's Owl of Minerva and Norton's solitary seagull, to the classic Penguin/Pelican/Puffin trio and Duckworth's equally literal duck, they were all over the shelves. I saw them as welcoming the new season, and this day will always mean a lot to me.
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DETAILS
PASTING IN BOOKPLATES
DETAILS
PASTING IN BOOKPLATES
A mini master-course in pasting bookplates into your books found at the wonderful site of wood engraver/bookplate designer Andy English. He gives advice ranging from the philosophical ("This is an enjoyable task; do not rush it but, instead, take the opportunity to spend time with - and enjoy - your books.") to the technical ("I recommend PVA (Polyvinyl acetate) glue as it is flexible, acid free and is easily thinned with water." ). English takes due time with all his work, and the results are lovely.
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DETAILS
ENDPAPERS
It doesn't take much to give a book a nice beginning and a beautiful ending; which is why I appreciate publishers who put a little extra effort into a book's endpapers. Though I've seen some lovely examples, marbled versions aren't my favorites. I prefer interesting graphic patterns or hand-drawn illustrations. There are some good online galleries of them out there. Above are a few selections from my own library.
DETAILS
ENDPAPERS
It doesn't take much to give a book a nice beginning and a beautiful ending; which is why I appreciate publishers who put a little extra effort into a book's endpapers. Though I've seen some lovely examples, marbled versions aren't my favorites. I prefer interesting graphic patterns or hand-drawn illustrations. There are some good online galleries of them out there. Above are a few selections from my own library.
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DETAIL
DYED TOP EDGES
In a time when books weren't kicked out of presses by the millions, books made to last were traditionally covered in gold leaf at the top, bottom and side edges of the pages. Not only did this communicate the importance and handcraft of the book, but it also created a metallic finish which protected the pages themselves from corrosive dust. Later, this practice was often confined to where the dust actually settles, on the top edge of a book. The tops of books gilded in this way can be dusted. Then came the purely decorative practice of dyeing the top edge of a book, adding a bit of color to communicate the artfulness of the volume. I occasionally find a paperback with color around the whole edge, but no-one (that I've seen) does it as beautifully as J&L Illustrated, with their heavily saturated edges that soak well into the page (see last image.)
DETAIL
DYED TOP EDGES
In a time when books weren't kicked out of presses by the millions, books made to last were traditionally covered in gold leaf at the top, bottom and side edges of the pages. Not only did this communicate the importance and handcraft of the book, but it also created a metallic finish which protected the pages themselves from corrosive dust. Later, this practice was often confined to where the dust actually settles, on the top edge of a book. The tops of books gilded in this way can be dusted. Then came the purely decorative practice of dyeing the top edge of a book, adding a bit of color to communicate the artfulness of the volume. I occasionally find a paperback with color around the whole edge, but no-one (that I've seen) does it as beautifully as J&L Illustrated, with their heavily saturated edges that soak well into the page (see last image.)
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DETAIL
MARKS OF THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Many publishers redesign their logos after a few decades of service, so the fact that there are so many iterations of the OUP's mark pays tribute to the long history (1478-present) and amazing breadth of the books sent forth from that illustrious house. Above are only a few of the different versions I found on my own shelves.
(See film of books being made at the Press from the OUP's more recent history -1925 to be exact- here.)
DETAIL
MARKS OF THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
Many publishers redesign their logos after a few decades of service, so the fact that there are so many iterations of the OUP's mark pays tribute to the long history (1478-present) and amazing breadth of the books sent forth from that illustrious house. Above are only a few of the different versions I found on my own shelves.
(See film of books being made at the Press from the OUP's more recent history -1925 to be exact- here.)
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