BookLust

Ah, Joy – Books

Last week a friend and I did a little exploring in Parkdale where all the great antique shops can be found. I saw a few intriguing typewriters, but resisted the urge to take them home with me. Of course that doesn't mean I came home empty-handed!

As well as typewriters, I also have a fascination with letters – either actual letters made from wood or metal which one can purchase to place on a wall, or objects with the letters of the alphabet displayed in some interesting fashion. It goes without saying that I am drawn to old alphabet blocks. I love the feel of the rough wood, the raised surface of the letters, and those primary colours. My friend encouraged me to buy lots (they were going for 50 cents each), so I grabbed 10 blocks, not thinking about what the letters could possibly spell – I simply chose the blocks that looked the most appealing.

So imagine my delight while sitting on the bed with the hubby and showing (and playing with) my wares, when I discovered what I could spell with all 10 blocks:

Bookmarkable

Here's a small selection of the bookmarks that I have saved while I was a cataloguer for The Toronto Public Library. Geez.... I really gotta make that collage soon, don't I?

Show Us Yer Paper!

This morning I hiked it over to the Toronto Old Book and Paper Show in search of unique gems for future collage projects. Yup, I'm a collage nut. I also am interested in book collecting, but alas, do not have enough funds to really develop that interest into an all-out obsession. If I did have a lot of cash to spare, however, I know I would focus my collection on books about books (what a surprise). I actually do have in my possession two old books that deal with the subject of books: The Kingdom of Books by William Dana Orcutt and The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley.

In terms of collecting paper and ephemera, my interest is gradually starting to focus on the book-world as well. Anything to do with libraries and printing and typography fascinates me. Today I found a catalogue of type from the Moore Type Foundry. As well as showing all the varieties of lead type they sell, it also has pictures of lead type cases selling for prices like $3.00. Imagine how much those beauties would be worth today! I also bought a lovely pamphlet of The Visitor's Guide to the Bodleian Library.

I was a bit disappointed in the show, though, because it was more books than paper, and paper was what I was in search of today. Apparently the Old Toronto Paper Show is in a state of flux; various people were chattering at the show today that the woman who was in charge of organizing the event has burnt out, so to speak. But I did find out that there will be an event called "Papermania" which will specialize in the selling of prints, magazines postcards and paper ephemera on September 11th. It's an odd day to look forward to something, but quite honestly, I can't wait.