The other day my husband went to our storage unit to pick up a few things for a project (hint- Christmas) and when he was leaving, he drove past a table full of various bits and stacks by the driveway that said ‘FREE’. It is a usual ‘garage’ sale left over kind of thing- they simply stack the extras there and if anyone wants them- they can grab them.
He doesn’t usually stop – but that day, he saw something that he knew I would love.
A beautiful big collection of old books.
Collecting Old Books
You know what they say- you love what you love. And I Definitely love old books. Books with colorful spines, gold pages and elegant foil details.
Books with missing covers and bare spines showing the structure – I know it is a sore spot for many- I believe even when those books are missing covers and damaged and headed for the recycle bin- they are beautiful and can be enjoyed and I bring them home. But if you have books that are in good shape and just want a similar look – simply wrap them in paper and pencil the names on them.
Books in stacks of two or three. Or more.
Books that tell stories inside their pages – and also with their patina and beauty and the smell and feel of that chunky book.
Yes they are even in the cupboard in the dining room. I guess I kind of think they do belong anywhere and everywhere. (more about this styling HERE).
Collecting
While many of the books I have were my grandmothers books that have a home in the cottage or the house now- and so they are special for that reason- most of the books are ones I have collected over the years.
There are many methods to the madness when it comes to collecting. You can collect certain authors, certain titles, certain looks- whatever you like. But – it is best to find them in the area you live because they can be expensive to ship- even with media mail. And if you find a whole collection of them on the Worlds Longest Yard Sale with GMC & Habitat for Humanity- and decide it is a *GREAT* idea to tuck them into your suitcase and your carryon and shoulder bag to bring them all.the.way.home- you know that lugging a collection of books on a flight is not the best idea either. My shoulder still aches when I think about it. So I decided to stick with close by finds from now on.
Try thrift stores, tag sales, and local used bookstores for various individual books and collections. There can be SO many on those shelves- so I like to search by ‘color’ if showing the binding- if you want colorful- grab all the colors. If you want a neutral look- stay with whites, tans, creams, browns, etc. I also love books that have gold embossing. And gold pages. Beyond beautiful.
These books in the cottage are a mishmash of collected and my grandmothers collection- which I love.
What do they cost
Well that is a big all over the place who knows price. Some books are 10 cents- others can be thousands of dollars. I have paid $3-5 for some books that I fell in love with or that are a special book to me – an old favorite story for example.
Many times you can do those ‘fill a bag’ sales with books at the thrift stores. That is a great way to get a whole bunch for $5 or $10- as long as you can stuff them in the bag and carry it. Of course, you can also go by the storage units and look for those ‘free’ tables. You just might get lucky and find a set of beauties waiting for you.
Encyclopedia & Dictionary Sets & More
The ‘free’ set of books are a set of encyclopedias- which basically is old time ‘google’ in todays world. So a lot of people don’t keep them and have them take up space when they can just google whatever they want to look up.
But even if you prefer to ‘google’ something- they are beautiful books to bring home even if you may not necessarily find yourself using them. And I don’t shy away from adding them when I find them or any other books that talk to me for whatever reason. Often you can find whole sets at one time and start your collection off with a bang.
I hope this inspires you to bring out those collected and old favorite books you might have in storage or the attic. Maybe give them a read again before enjoying them in your home.
🙂
ooohhhh, you ate my “soul sista”…think I have some of those encyclopedias…& “gold page claddics” w/ thee most beautiful illustrations…The “hunt continues”…franki
They are truly works of art in So many ways!!
It makes me sad to go from vintage to goodwill stores and in between and see all the books for sale.Sad that People now are reaIng on phones,IPads and other devices and are content to never pickup a real book.To not hold it and put bookmarks in them or actually turn pages.To not just admire them on your side table.to not be picked up and sweEp you away to a place wHere you have never been with people you have never met yet yearning for more time with them in their time and space. I hope at some Point society comes back to the good old days as i remember and hold Actual books in their hands agAin. I realize some people are perfectly satisfied on devices and thats ok to.Just not for me.
Hi Rita,
I feel the same way. While I work on those same devices for my job- I love picking up a book and thumbing through the pages and getting lost in them. I hope that this inspires some of those who have boxes full of books to bring them on out and unpack and enjoy again.
Couldn’t agree more ! Our children and gra are missing so much. I lOve the feel of my books and Turning the the pagge to conTinue my journey
I love books too! On film projects, I like to include books and a globe, especially if it is a kid’s room. These are things that symbolize wide open horizons and potential for great things.
Love that in a kids room!! (and on a set- how fun!)
I used to collect all sorts of books. Moved into smaller home, don’t have the room for this amount anymore.im going to start selling most of the Over 2000 that I’ve collected.would like to see them go to someone who will enjoy them.i have hundreds of 1800-turn of the century nice books
Some very rare. All in good condition.plrase contact if interested.
Wow! Sounds like you have a wonderful collection John! Please feel free to leave your contact email here if you would like to!
Those green spines are 😍
The green got me instantly!
I LOVE books! I will NOT break down and do e-books. NOPE! Books that I can turn pages with my fingers and not with a mouse. I stare at a computer screen enough as it is. I’ve purchased a number of books at thrift stores. I have Nancy Drew, James Herriot (Vet books), Charles Dickens, Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Gothic romance mysteries (Victoria Holt, etc.), Anne of Green Gables series, Redwall Series (animal stories), Christian fiction, and other spiritual books, and more!
By the way, I do not understand why turning the books around so the spine doesn’t showis a “thing.” How can you find a book if you can’t see the title on the spine? I’ve seen that done on Home reno shows. A library or bookstore couldn’t function like that, right? 🙂
Thanks for showing your book collecctions!
Turning books around is a love it or hate it kind of thing in design. I am not sure where it started – I like the texture of the pages of the books so don’t mind the look of it. But of course it won’t work for reading very well unless your book has a notation on the spine to let you know which is which. If you like the neutral look it brings to your bookcase- you can simply wrap the books in paper and add your title in pencil. 🙂
I found a set of beautiful encyclopedias being thrown out. Snagged them and they look wonderful in my color coordinated library. I have so many beautiful BOOKs, both very old and new. I use the blah ones as lifts for knick knacks and the gilded ones for beauty spots. Love my books!
Courtney,
I love old books too. I try to choose those that have bindings that look interesting. One of my favorite sources is our local Friends of the Library in Newport Beach. I once found a complete set of works by Shakespeare for $5. It’s true what they say, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. 😊
I just read a quote yesterday that said “A home without books is like a body without a soul.”. I think THAT is quite a comparison. I can’t imagine not having my books! In organizing our home, the books are really The only thing I am willing to keep ” too much of.”. I have too many for a small room, but that is the way it will stay so it will be a wonderful guest room and study. :). I don’t mind!!