Old books are precious treasure for me, no matter what the subject.  

Art within and without. 

A window where I can peer straight into history.  

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My son recently took possession of these. 

He feels the same as I do about books. 

Even  old books. 

I can see it in his eyes.

And I can't describe how relieved, 

how happy, 

that makes me.

"Book-love, I say again, lasts throughout life, it never flags or fails, but, like Beauty itself, is a joy forever." The Anatomy of Bibliomana Vol.II – Holbrook Jackson

 

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(But how could anyone not think these are treasure?

Take a look at these covers!)

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"I cannot live without books." In a letter to John Adams – Thomas Jefferson


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 Old books prove to me that with age come words like…

Unique

Individuality

Character

…which is a huge relief to me as I approach another birthday…

"The body of Benjamin Franklin
Printer,
Like the covering
Of an old book
Its contents torn out
And stript of its lettering
And gilding
Lies here, food for worms;
But the work
Shall not be lost,
It will (as he believed)
Appear once more,
In a new
And more beautiful edition,
Corrected and amended
By the author."
Epitaph for Benjamin Franklin 

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 This is my contribution to the Focus 52 Creativity Project at Jan's twoscoopz. Check out the rest on the topic of "Aged" HERE.

 

 

 

 

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28 responses to “Books (and People?) of a Certain Age”

  1. Hilary Avatar

    Oh I so agree. These old books are wonderful. That first photo is great!

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  2. Lady Fi Avatar

    Oh, I love old books… they smell good too.

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  3. JenZnewlife Avatar

    Our old books are something we packed and moved to start our new lives. There is something comforting about them. We have a few over 100 yrs old. Did you happen to catch Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes Sunday? He discussed Ebooks replacing the printed page. Even though it’s expensive & difficult to get printed material in Costa Rica we still prefer turning a page to digital devices.

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  4. Martha Avatar

    I love books! I have too many (if that’s even possible) and not enough places to put them.

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  5. Jillsy Girl Avatar

    That photo in B&W says it all!

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  6. Gail Avatar

    The title of your post reminds me of the show Men of a Certain Age, which I love. Anyway, I commented on Flickr, but also wanted to check out your blog. So nice that your son shares your love of books. I love my Kindle, but I do miss the feel and actual page turning of books. 🙂

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  7. linlah Avatar

    Book-love, I say again, lasts throughout life, it never flags or fails…and old books make it hard to buy a kindle.

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I agree! And I'm not surprised you love them, too.

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  9. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    The Religions at the Columbian Exposition jumped out at me–I’m just reading a book about the history of the world’s fairs. Did you know that the Pledge of Allegiance began at the Chicago fair of 1893?
    I love reading real, old books–my absolute favorite way is checking them out at the library.

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    No, I didn't see 60 minutes, but I see it heading that way toward digital. I'm with you, though – I need to turn that page when I'm reading a book.

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I don't think you can every have too many. (My husband disagrees.) Mine are mostly boxed up, patiently awaiting their promised shelves…

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    It's my favorite, too, although I love the colors of the books and so had to include it.

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  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I haven't given into buying a Kindle yet, but I can see where the portability would be wonderful!

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    No, I didn't know that about the Pledge of Allegiance (or if I did, I forgot!) Checking them out is wonderful, because it ensures the libraries will stay around awhile. The ones I love owning are those who were on the edge of being dumpster food. I can't bear the thought of any book lying in a trash pile!

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  15. cynthia eloise Avatar

    your books, like us, just have so much more character.

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  16. lisleman Avatar

    they do have character with characters inside.
    Are you the type that can never throw out a book no matter what the subject? Maybe the oldest book I have is from my Dad. It was a type of WWII history/souvenir that has some interesting pictures. I don’t collect them but I have two or three with the author’s signature.

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  17. brian Avatar

    ah i love old books..i love their texture and smell…so cool that you are able to pass that on to him…

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I agree! Makes my momma-heart sing!

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  19. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I have to confess I am! Well, if it's an old, old book that is. Newer books I can part with a little easier. You don't collect them but you have autographed copies? How did that happen? Lucky!

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  20. Bari Avatar

    I love books. I love old books. Of course I do. I am a high school English teacher! Great shots!

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  21. Jan Avatar

    Great shots! I love old books too.
    That last cover is driving me crazy with familiarity. What book is that??!! 🙂

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  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Well, my son actually has them with him right now, but I called and asked and he said it's The Book of Knowledge Vol. 17. The photo is actually of the inside – I just loved the illustration!

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  23. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I sure hope you love books, then!! (thanks!)

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  24. CP Avatar

    This is why I will never, ever, ever own a Kindle. There is no replacement for the look, the feel and the smell of an old book. Priceless photo. I love it.

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  25. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, and I agree with you! I'm Kindle-less myself (you probably guessed that.)

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