Saturday 14 May 2011

Treasure Hunt Thursday - Victorian Photo Album

Just this once I was ready to post almost on time, and then Blogger went and ruined it all by being unavailable, lol. So here, without further ado, is my contribution to the Treasure Hunt Thursday, a gorgeous 19th Century photoalbum.

It doesn't look like much, does it? The leather cover is rather tatty, but it still has that gorgeous tooling round the edges -


But as soon as I opened it and saw the first page, I knew I had to have it -


The next page was an index of all the floral pages -


I can't tell you how thrilled I was, I had never ever held such a beautiful album, with loads of fabulous Victorian photos as well as those gorgeous illustrations. This is how desperate I was to own it - I didn't have enough money left on me, as this stall was in the last row of the boot fair, and I had already spent money at other stalls. So I asked the stallholder to hold it for me, we exchanged addresses and telephone numbers and as they were local to me, I arranged to pick the album up in the afternoon, after the the boot sale. I had horrible visions of getting there only to find that they had sold it at the boot fair anyway, but I needn't have worried, they kept their promise and I collected my wonderful treasure from them.

You can see why I loved it so much, can't you? -






I love the backs of these old photographs as well, they have such gorgeous graphics -


Just look at the gorgeous little angels in the one bottom left -


No idea how a Russian (?) one got amongst this lot, interesting though -


This album is going to stay exactly as it is, I am not going to remove any photos or do anything else with it, I love it just the way it is.

I wish you all a really lovely weekend,

toodlepip xxx

16 comments:

Gabriela said...

That is what you can really call a treasure!!!!Beautiful even before you see the inside...then...well...no contest!So lucky to have found such a beautifully ornamental part of history!I want to go shopping with you!

Lorraine said...

This is beautiful and in incredible condition! I saw many on a recent trip to Paris at the flea's but none were as nice as this one.

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh wow, Liz, this is breathtaking!!! And I figured if blogger didn't go back up at least I had everyone's email addresses! lol

I LOVE this vintage photo album--it is a true treasure, my friend! And I hope you're feeling better.
XO
Cindy

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Hi Liz,
now this I really call a treasure!!
So very beautiful.TFS.
Yes, keep as is and enjoy.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Marie

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Oh Liz, I can understand why you wanted this album so badly. It's really fantastic! The flower frames are amazing and it has so many beautiful photos. Enjoy your wonderful treasure!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs to you,
Julia

Scrummy Scrapz aka Lizzie said...

What a find, both pictures and illustrations are so immaculate and pristine just like they were done this week. Now that is definitely something I would treasure and like the way the album catch closes! Have a great weekend x

Blue Creek Home said...

So glad that they held this beauty for you. The outside wasn't a good indication of what was awaiting inside!
It is lovely and I appreciate you sharing it at Treasure Hunt Thursday.
Rhonda

Tina said...

Oh - what a great find Liz. That album is just stunning. No wonder you keep it as is.
Have a wonderful sunday.
xo Tina

Dorthe said...

LIZ hi, I`m home again :)
And I can see you was lucky this week-too- oh what a treasure, this is- I have never seen something like it,- must have been something special, back then,too.This will give you many happy houers,just looking at.
Wish you a wonderful sunday,Liz.
Hugs,Dorthe

Lynn Stevens said...

what a FABULOUS find! I'd leave it just as it is also.
So glad they saved it for you.
Blogger drove me crazy this week too. Hope thats all behind us!
hugs Lynn

Bunty said...

What a gorgeous book - of course you just had to have it! Enjoy!

Barbara :)

suziqu's thread works said...

Wow Liz that album is one out of the box - I doubt whether you would ever come across such a beauty again. These must be few and far between. It is simply gorgeous to see the old photos framed so beautifully. There is probably a study in the flowers also. You will love it for the rest of your years! Enjoy and treasure it!
Hugs,
Suzy

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

What an amazing find!

Victoria xx

JaN's ArTy JouRneY said...

WOW!!

Jeanie Callaghan said...

Fabulous!

peggy aplSEEDS said...

wow, this is a truly precious find!