Andersen's Fairy Tales...
Found in a charity shop. It cost me just 75p.
This edition is from 1928/1930 and contains illustrations by Rene Bull.
It has that beautiful old book smell and parchment-y pages that beg to be turned. This may sound sentimental, but that's because I also own the complete works of Andersen in one humungous book that tries to look old fashioned and magical but can't do it, because it isn't. Sure, I love that I have all the stories, but for me the best sort of book is one with a history.
And this book must have a history (some context: it has seen world war, cold war, four monarchs, and sixteen prime ministers) How many people have owned and loved this book? I wonder...
What gems have you discovered in charity shops?
We have thrift shops, which are like charity shops, but they don't necessarily have to be for a charity, though many are. I once bought an obscure fantasy book because it was a pretty, old hard-bound. And because the fantasy names were suspiciously Welsh-sounding (hubby's from Wales--even if he weren't, I'd still be a Welsh-o-phile). Still haven't read it, though!
ReplyDeleteI also found a gold-bound, color illustrated copy of Anderson's tales, published in the 80's. Nowhere near as good a deal as 75p. That was in an antique shop, though, so they're like thrift shops with more expensive prices!
*0* gold bound...colour illustrated...yummy! I'm such a sucker for pretty books :/ I was in an antique book shop the other week and saw this book: http://www.foliosociety.com/bookcat/9197/PFT/perrault-s-fairy-tales and nearly bought it...probably would have done if I liked Perrault more!
DeleteWales is such a beautiful place. I enjoy the old Celtic folk tales but really struggle with the pronunciation of places and names! Have you ever come across Sacred Texts? (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/index.htm#wales) It has loads of old folk tales, and more, including lots of Welsh ones.