Miss Suzy the squirrel

Yesterday was a bright and sunny autumn day ~ a blustery wind, colorful leaves, and squirrels everywhere gathering nuts and tantalizing my two dogs. Every time I see a squirrel, it reminds me of one of my favorite children's books ~ Miss Suzy. Written by Miriam Young and published in the 60's (I think), the book is illustrated by Arnold Lobel and is still available today.

The story revolves around the happy life of Miss Suzy ~ a little gray squirrel who is content to live in her little home high up in the tree tops, until she is chased away by a band of mean red squirrels.

Miss Suzy finds another place to live and befriends a group of soldiers who help her reclaim her house in the oak tree. As was popular during this era, book illustrations were a mix of full color illustrations and 2-3 color illustrations ~ I always loved the style of these.

I also loved the little details in the story ~ how Miss Suzy recycled and used found items to make her cozy home ie. the firefly lamps and the acorn cups. I could imagine that this was what every squirrels' home would look like if one was ever able to climb high enough to see it!

{all images from the book}

Beauty & the Book

{image from Rapunzel's Delight}

In the last couple of weeks I have started to develop an obsession with Victorian hairwork ~ the flower wreaths, the jewelry and even simple tokens kept in cards or scrapbooks. This all began because I finally made the trip to Leila's Hair Museum ~ something I have had on my "to do" list for 20 years! My visit to the museum piqued my interest further, so I have spent a good deal of time hunting around the internet for more information, only to find out that there is not much to be found.

During my search I did find this wonderful advertising card for Lyon's Kathairon ~ a hair treatment of some sort. The card itself reminded me of a book I loved when I was a child ~ Dandelion, by Don Freeman. While I do remember loving this book, I only have a vague recollection of the details. I know it had to do with a lion who got a fancy haircut and new clothes to impress his friends at a party only to be turned away because no one recognizes him. So, what is the moral of this story? (You know there must be one!). You'll have to pick up a copy to see what happens!

{Dandelion: Before}

{Dandelion: Getting dandified!}

{Dandelion: After}

Antiques on the Common Spring 2010 ~ #3

Finally, the third installment of this spring's Antiques on the Common ~ this one features the two items I purchased ~ a gorgeous old ledger book (1862) and an ancient German children's book(1894)! This is the kind of purchase my brother would just shake his head and ask me what was I thinking? Why would anyone want battered old books like these? Well, for one thing, I just love the covers ~ worn and torn, but wonderful patterns and color ~ great for scanning and using in a future art project . . . . then, when I saw the inside pages ~ these were both going home with me! The alphabet index in the ledger sold me in a second!

{spread from the children's book}

{irresistible alphabet index}

{lovely columns and rows of beautifully handwritten lists}

The pages in the ledger book are actually light blue ~ that seemed odd to me, but I was told that light blue paper was quite common ~ it's the first I've seen though. Don't you just love the neat and tidy look of a list? ~ I love things all lined up and orderly!

Duck, Duck, Goose?

Tonight when I pulled up in front of my house and got out of my car I was greeted by a pair of mallard ducks! Since I live in a residential neighborhood which is within city limits, this is quite unusual! I ran in and got my camera, then tried to get some photos at a respectful distance ~ the ducks seemed on a mission ~ they stopped at a few puddles in the curbs, but hurried off down the sidewalk seemingly aware of the danger of the street.

I'm glad they didn't decide to visit my back yard ~ the scots probably wouldn't have given them a proper welcome ~ after all, they have a stuffed toy that is a dead ringer for that green headed duck! Angus, a scottie from the 30's had a run in with some ducks ~ recommended reading for all! Read more about Marjorie Flack and her "Angus" books here.

New Old Finds

Since I've been thinking about books lately, I thought I would share a few of the old books I have gotten in the last several months ~ I am always picking up crumbling and decrepit books ~ for some reason I love all the things that probably make them worthless ~ foxing, tattered bindings, yellowed pages, etc... Usually when the books are in this kind of shape I don't end up paying much either ~ an added bonus! I also pick these up for the graphics inside ~ the first two readers included some wonderful alphabets in addition to a nice variety of black and white illustrations. I got these books from oldohiofarmfinds ~ I found their site via sparrowsalvage just because I liked those little tins ~ it is amazing how much trouble I can get myself even if I don't leave the house!

I love the back cover on the one book ~ there are 4 different ways to count listed for each illustration ~ including roman numerals! Below, counting with your fingers and a beautiful ornamental alphabet along with coordinating illustrations.

Here, another set of readers for children ~ in German. The title, loosely translated is The Child's Friend ~ New Stories for the Youth. These are little paperback books printed in Germany ~ no date that I can find. I got these at the Sparks Flea Market this year because I thought the covers were so beautiful.

Speaking of Ants . . .

This is one of my favorite children's books that I discovered as an adult ~ actually, I had Chris Van Allsburg as an illustration teacher while I was in art school, so I became familiar with his work then and count many of his books among my favorites. One of the classes I took from him was Pen & Ink & Scratchboard, which is the technique used to illustrate Two Bad Ants. This book is about two ants' adventure into an unknown world containing an overwhelming treasure. When the two ants decide to stay behind, they get into all sorts of trouble but finally discover a valuable life lesson. The illustrations are quintessential Van Allsburg ~ beautifully drawn and colored along with a unique point of view and perspective. See more from this book here.

Caldecot award winning illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg has written and illustrated many children's books ~ Jumanji and The Polar Express being two of the best known ~ see all of them here.

Speaking of Buttons . . .

I bought this children's book several years ago on ebay since I love scotties and my very first scottie's name was Buttons. This book has a copyright of 1936 and is illustrated by Marguerite Kirmse, an illustrator well known for her expertise with dogs. The story and the illustrations really capture what a scottie is all about ~ a BIG dog in a little (but powerful!) body!

Young People's Natural History ~ Antique Book

Below are a few images from an old book I picked up at the flea market ~ this one is a children's book dated 1901. The book appears to be a shortened version from the works of Theodore Wood and Henry Shieren ~ edited/arranged by Isaac Johnson.
It is packed with stories about animals, 5 colored plates and loads of black and white illustrations ~ while I haven't read any of the stories, I was attracted to the beautiful colored illustrations ~ I think lithography ~ a way of printing that is not used much if at all anymore.

Scotties on my mind!

This is the weekend we are adopting Angus ~ a wheaten scottish terrier puppy! To celebrate such an event I thought I would share with you two children's books from the 30's that I have and love.

The Angus series was one of my favorites as a child ~ actually 'Angus and the Ducks' was the book I had ~ I don't know that I discovered the one above and 'Angus Lost' until I was an adult. The Angus series are Marjorie Flack's most famous books ~ they are based on events that actually happened to Angus ~ the family's pet scottie. I've always loved the illustrations ~ they really capture the true spirit of a scottie!

{images from the endpapers}

{all images above from Angus and the Cat}

Jock and Jill, illustrated by Morgan Dennis and written by Maida Huneker is another great book featuring scotties. I found this copy several years ago either at a flea market or antique show or shop. Morgan Dennis is one of the best known illustrators of dogs ~ especially scotties. A charming book with dozens of black and white illustrations that showcase the scottish terrier and their unique personality.

{great title page}

{that squirrel doesn't have a chance!}

Antiques on the Common ~ #1

{All gussied up and nowhere to go}

{good & evil}
These squirrels remind me of one of my favorite childhood books, Miss Suzy

{great paperboard hat and patterned boxes}

{evil ~ or at least constipated doll}

{tiny paintings with handmade tin frames}

Although I mentioned that I am going to the Crown Center Antique show tomorrow, here are photos from the Antiques on the Common show from this past autumn ~ I know, that was eons ago, but I am playing catchup ~ I have been taking photos for quite awhile to use on my blog, but it took me a bit to get started! I will post a second set of photos from the spring Antiques on the Common which happened May 24 ~ not too long ago.

As you can see, the show this fall was great ~ beautiful weather and lots of wonderful sights to see. I always love going to this show as it is only a short drive and it is out in the country under tents ~ depending on the weather it can be quite an adventure! This is one of the best shows for primitive furniture and primitives in general ~ high quality and unusual items ~ not a huge show, but always a relaxing day away.

After the show, since we are already in the area, it would be stupid not to stop at the rest of the antique shops in Greenwood: Greenwood Mercantile, and Greenwood Antique Mall are two that have websites. You might as well make it a day ~ you never know what you might find!