Friday, May 8, 2009

I'M THRILLED WITH MY THRIFT STORE FINDS

I love old books. The older the better. Whenever I go to thrift stores I'm always checking out the book section and hoping I may come across something fun.

I've found a few treasures before. Not a lot, but enough to keep me searching every time I go in a thrift store.


When I saw this book I knew right away I was going to want it. The color of the book and the beautiful design on the cover captured my heart right away.

Then I opened the book and saw some lovely pictures. They were just gorgeous.

Turns out this book is from the 1800's and is a book of lovely poems.

I love to turn each page and think about all the hands who have touched these pages throughout the years. I imagine the people who read these same words.

Did some young man give this book to his lady suitor? Did a mother pass this book along to her daughter, in hopes that she too would become a romantic at heart, just like she was? Did a husband read these poems out loud to his new wife?



Sitting next to that book I noticed another faded old blue book. So I pulled it off the shelf.

Lavender and Old Lace was what I found. Isn't that a pretty name? The name alone congers up thoughts of romance.


There was an elderly lady standing next to me. As she was looking over at the book I was holding she smiled and said, "Oh I love that story. It's been turned into a play that I saw years ago."

You could tell by the look on her face the story brought her happy memories. So I offered to give her the book.

She said "Oh no honey. If you have never read this story then you must buy this book. I know you will love it."

I opened up the book and noticed this book was also over 100 years old.

There were no pictures in this book. Yet, just seeing the smile on that ladies face made me know I had to have this book.

Then I noticed there was a book label on the inside cover. This book had once belonged to E. Curtis Read. The same last name as the author!

Could this have been handed down to the authors son or grandson? I like to think so.

I can picture it in my mind. The day the book first came out, the author gave one to his each of his loved ones. He was beaming with pride and excitement as he handed each person their own copy to read.

E. Curtis Read took his copy to his study and opened it and put a book stamp with his name inside the front cover. Letting the world know this was his copy. He too was very proud of his father's book.


Don't these two old books look great displayed together?


I also found this vintage table cloth. I just couldn't pass this up. After all it's pink and has roses on it. Two of my favorite things!

I'll use it this summer on our outside dinning table.


When I came across this darling old Milk Glass butter dish I knew I had hit the jackpot!

I loved it at first site.

It now sits along side my other Milk Glass items. So far, it's my favorite piece of Milk Glass that I own.

You just never know what you are going to come across in your searches when you go to Thrift Stores. It's the hunt that makes them so fun to go to.

Sometimes you leave empty handed but often you find a great treasure or two. Surely enough times to make you want to go back again and again.
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16 comments:

Glenda said...

Oh my friend you captured my heart with these books. How lucky you were to find them.

I too love the old books and the smell they have.

Great treasures.



CIao

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Joanne! Those are all great finds! I've been out and about thrifting and have had no luck lately.
The books hooked my heart. I love books.

Lara Harris said...

Love the color of the old book you found and your blog!

Harbor Hon said...

So many lovely things you found. Thanks for sharing them with us. You hit the jackpot my friend. xxoo

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

You hit the jackpot with that beautiful butter dish. I love milk glass and have started recently collecting it. I have a friend who has a HUGE collection. She shared her pieces with me and we used all the milk glass when having a bridal shower for my daughter. It was beautiful!!! Love your old books too. Isn't it fun to see what treasures you can find at thrift shops? Love & blessings from NC!

Unknown said...

What darling old books! That is a sweet story about the elderly lady who told you about the book. So sweet of you to offer it to her, too!

That butter dish is too adorable! You totally scored! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh Joanne, those books are beautiful, but even more touching is the little story about the sweet lady you spoke to. It is amazing how many paths are crossed and how the tiniest gesture or word affects us all.
Lovely milk glass, too!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us...

Hugs,
Lynn♥

SharDon Exclusives said...

Love the blue covers on the books! What a treasure! congrats, you did gooood...sharon

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Joanne...you did GREAT! I love old books so much and that one is gorgeous! I am off to garage sales in the morning. Wish me luck!
Hey...what happened to you. I never heard and thought you were coming to the big R. :)
More cupcakes? Waiting..tap, tap, tap. :)
Hugs,
Mona

Cottage Way of Life said...

You totally scored with those books, what a great find! I love that you offered to share the one book and the lady said no, that you must read it. We're going to be expecting a book review now, you know. ;)

Allidink said...

Those books are great! I have actually been on the hunt for some vintage books but haven't really found any. What a great butter dish it's quite adorable. I don't own any milk glass...yet haha. But I'm on the hunt for that too! You found beautiful things!

All the best,
Allison

Darlene said...

Those blue books are beautiful. How lucky to have found them. I especially love the pictures in the first one.

That tablecloth is wonderful. I have been hooked on tablecloths lately and have bought several. I can't wait to use some of them on my outside table. All your pretties are great finds! I LOVE having thrifting days like that.♥

Shopping Golightly said...

Lovely finds! Rare books pop up frequently at the Goodwill in my neighborhood, this and my desire to establish a childrens library for my daughters have me browsing the stacks often. My favorite is a suede bound edition of The Song of Hiawatha (no publication date). I imagine that some pioneer carried it through his trapper travels in the Rockies.

Sheesh the treasures I find thrifting. I bought a like new if not new butter colored Pottery Barn sofa sleeper for $250! Though it not necessary, I've shopped thrift for my family for the last four years and have saved at least $10K. Now I have beautiful items I would have never been able to afford! Hermes, Givenchy, Prada, Limoge, Wedgwood, it goes on. I outfitted my husbands suit wardrobe with seven suits and one classic Italian tux for $63. I was picky and didn't grab just any suit - all are designer with quality fabric and perfect cuffs.

I think thrifting a good lesson in the things people throw away. Many of my purchases still have the store tags dangling on them like the Banana Republic jacket for $99.99 contrasted directly against the Goodwill price of $4.99.

Don't believe me? I have pictures on the The Thrifty Chicks!

Godspeed to all kind thrifters!
Ms Shopping Golightly

Melissa Lester said...

What pretty finds! Isn't it interesting to see the book title hyphenated? Spacing wasn't as easy to play with before computers, but it adds to the charm of your find.

Donna said...

Excellent finds, Joanne - both books are just beautiful! Also love your milkglass and the tablecloth - fun finds for sure!!!... Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage

Donna @ Party Wishes said...

What GORGEOUS books! I love milk glass too! My mom received a ton of it when she got married in 1963.

Have a nice break and HAppy Mother's Day!