Saturday 27 March 2010

Tom Brown's School Days

That is the title of a very tatty book which I found this afternoon whilst out looking for some second hand furniture for Chris' new home. It was in a dreadful state really, falling to pieces, but it was a 1892 edition with really nice illustrations. Some very annoying little brat had obviously gotten hold of it at some stage and taken great delight in defacing lots of the pages and illustrations, but even so there were still a lot which were worth saving.

But the best thing about the whole book was the beautifully handwritten inscription on the first page of the book. I didn't look at it too closely in the shop because I wasn't supposed to be looking for treasures for me, lol, and was in a bit of a hurry, but it looked like a poem to me at first glance.

When I got it home, however, it turned out that it was not really a poem as such, although some of it rhymed, it was, well, have a read for yourself, lol -


I found that really quite amusing. What do you think of the handwriting? Isn't it absolutely exquisite? How I wish I could write like that.

The other day, I was looking through some of the images I had collected over the months for some projects I had in mind. Most of them were shared by some very generous bloggers. I am really amazed at the generosity of these wonderful people. Without them I wouldn't be able to do any of the things I am enjoying so much at the moment, ie making tags. I found some beautiful images of some young girls, which I thought would make rather nice tags. They had been shared by the quite wonderful Blanca from the Magic Moonlight Studio . I thoroughly enjoyed turning those sweet images into tags. Here they are -



Aren't they the sweetest little darlings? Such adorable faces. Its a shame that the stamped background doesn't show up properly in the photos.

Fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow. I'd really like to go boot fair wombling. It is only a titchy little boot fair, but still, better than no boot sale at all.

Enjoy your weekend, wherever you are, xxx

28 comments:

Elizabethd said...

That looks like Victorian handwriting, my grandmother's was similar, very beautifully formed.

Lululiz said...

Yes it is, the book was given to Ernest Frank Larkin Xmas 1894, and I should think he wrote the above soon after that. Poor man must have had some bad experiences with friends not returning his books, lol.

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

your tags are so awesome !!! marvellous !!

Marigold Jam said...

Love those tags. Good luck with the car booting tomorrow!

Kim from The Sheep's Nest said...

What a great find! Can you imagine the owner of the book wants it returned without the pages turned back and then some little brat defaces the pages! Kim

Floss said...

Such a lovely thing to find! So much better than the book in pristine condition, really!

Dorthe said...

Liz, dear, this book is a wonderfull find, and your tags are so very beautifull, and sweet, I love them,
I wish you a lovely and good boot fair tomorrow, fingers crossed with you for good weather, dear friend.
Hugs, Dorthe

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Such beautiful penmanship, a lost art that's for sure. I think computers have ruined our writing, I know it has mine. Great find.

Your tags are the loveliest ever. Those little faces just warm your heart. So sweet.

hugs
Sissie

lynda howells said...

our tags are SO beautifulx this is the first time l have come across your blog..l will be backxxlynda

TAPESTRIESOFNATURE said...

HI LIZ, YOUR TAGS ARE REALLY VERY PRETTY. A LOT OF INTERESTING DETAIL!

I LOVE THE HAND WRITING IN THE BOOK. I WISH I HAD PENMANSHIP LIKE THAT!

I WISH I COULD GO BOOTING WITH YOU TOMORROW. THE HUNT IS ALWAYS SO MUCH FUN!

BTW, YOU SHOULD BE RECIEVING YOUR PACKAGE ANY DAY NOW.

HUGS, JUDY

Debby said...

I bet the book is fab and your tags are beautiful.
debby

*Ulrike* said...

Handwriting from back then was very beautiful. Your tags look fab!

Createology said...

What wonderful treasures you have. Your tags are beautiful. Happy creating...

Gerry said...

Oh Liz, you made your day when you found that old tattered book! The beautiful writing, not to mention the wording. I am going to keep that saying, print it out and use it in something, just love it. Think of how long ago it was written, and by whom. Oh, your tags, they are so pretty! Good luck on your treasure hunt tomorrow. I hope you bring in a big load!!! Gerry

sadie said...

the handwriting is lovely. Wish my spider scrawl looked more like that!

The tags are gorgeous, I love how they turned out.

have a lovely Sunday xx

Andi's English Attic said...

Defacing a book is awful, but to find something like that written in the front? What a treasure. Perhaps it was the giver of the book who wrote in the front?

The tags are lovely and the girls are so sweet. I do hope they went home and climbed a tree, though!

Have a lovely time at the car boot. There hasn't been one here yet and I'm raring to go.

LiLi M. said...

Ah that poem and the handwriting...those days will never return! Great find! Have a lovely Sunday!

Kissed by an Angel said...

what a wonderful treasure you found! I love the inscription, so typical of the time!!! It was amusing to read, and the handwriting is amazing!!!
I love the tags too, they are all so pretty!
Have a great weekend.
xxxx

Helsie said...

the tags are lovely. Love all your work
Cheers
Helen

Debra said...

I love the tags! The pictures remind me of a photo of my mother with flowers in her hair when she was young.I don't think anyone has beautiful handwriting anymore- a lost art.I am also very guilty of dog earing pages!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Love your sweet tags and that handwriting in the old book is, indeed beautiful! Hope you are getting out to your boot sale! Hope you find a treasure or two!
:) Laura

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

The handwriting is so beautiful. Where did it all go so wrong? Why did it have to change over time? When I lived in France I liked my handwriting but when I arrived in England a more bubble like handwriting was encouraged. I really admire the handwriting from the past, it was a simple art, so beautiful. I have tried to change my handwriting but it's not easy...

A wonderful find in that old book!
Hope you are having a good weekend
Warm wishes
Isabelle x

Magic Moonlight said...

Lovely Blog! I collect old Books and your letter is wonderful treasure! and Your tags... Beautiful! If you ever need a special image , let me know, I will find that for you!, Thanks for visiting my Blog, Blanca.

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

That's a very clever note to put in your books, but clearly it doesn't make a difference. What a shame.

I love old writing too, my grandfather had lovely writing but after a stroke he had to learn to write again. I'm not sure if it was in the same style he had or not.

I wonder what amazing treasures you found this weekend? Hey I thought you were meant to be cutting back??? Hmmm...

Very nice tags too. Love the pretty flowers, my favourite scrapbooking embellishment too.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful find and some beautiful art work. Go girl.
QMM

Kelly said...

Oh I wish my writing looked like that! No when people find mine in the future they aren't going to be able to rread it!!!
Those tags are so very cute!!!

Anonymous said...

I love these! I think the punched corners are just perfect, Liz!

Diane

Astrid Maclean said...

These tags are amazing, I completely adore them. I love what you have done with the bottom corners, such a very clever idea!