Thursday, January 7, 2010

Do Want This Cream Pitcher

Isn't this wonderful? Wish I knew more. It would be perfect for my morning coffee.

Update: Four friends located this creamer for me. Thanks Sarah, Gail, Tracy and Valerie.



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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Yale Skull and Bones Ballot Box Antique Auction

NEW YORK — A human skull that apparently was turned into a ballot box for Yale's mysterious Skull and Bones society is going on the auction block.


A YALE Skull and Bones Ballot Box 19th Century
made from a real human skull.



Lot includes a small black book with members' names
and approximately 50 photographs.

Christie's New York January 21-25, 2010
Lot Notes
Founded in 1832 at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, Skull and Bones is thought by many to be one of the oldest and most prestigious secret societies in the United States. The symbolism of the skull and cross bones is synonymous with this group as its name is derived from the symbol itself. The present lot, with hinged flap on top of the skull was said to have been used as a ballot box during society meetings or displayed in the Society's headquarters at 64 High Street in New Haven. The inscription on the right cross bone Thor could be a name which would have been assigned to a member upon induction. Accompanied by approximately 50 photographs of society members and a small black book inscribed with names (which were published until 1971), the present lot provides a rare glimpse into the society which has been linked to many influential figures and leaders at Yale University and in this country.
Pre-auction estimate" $10,000/20,000.
European consignor's name is secret. How appropriate!
Full listing information from Christie's.

I wouldn't even want to look at this in person. I would close my eyes when passing the display case at the auction house. Too scary. I wonder if any bad karma came down on the previous owner? We'll never know, will we?



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Story Time Circa 1917

I've always purchased old children's books from house content sales. This scan is from "Happy All Day Through" by John G. Bowman, Illustrations by Janet Laura Scott, published in 1917. Unfortunately the book is in horrible condition, but with the magic of Photoshop, I was able to repair the holes, rips, and tears. It looks perfect online. Don't you love this charming vintage image? This mother wasn't reading a book, she was telling her 3 little ones a story from memory and the children are spellbound. So nice. Click on photo to enlarge. Love the big cozy chair, don't you?



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Life's Little Instruction Book page 150


Great advice from H. Jackson Brown, Jr.



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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Rare Queen Anne Stool Auction


A QUEEN ANNE CARVED WALNUT COMPASS-SEAT STOOL PHILADELPHIA, CIRCA 1750



Auction: 21 - 25 January 2010 at Christie's New York, Rockefeller Plaza Pre-auction estimate $300,000/500,000.



The mate sold at Sotheby's Sept. '08 for $5,234,500.

The 56th Annual Winter Antique Show at the Park Avenue Armory is the flagship event for Americana Week in New York City. Patrons, dealers, and customers flock to the auction houses also. The circa 1750 Philadelphia Queen Anne Stool in the first and second photos is the piece to watch at Christie's. Do you think Albert Sack will buy this one too? Wouldn't it be wonderful if these two fine period stools ended up together once again? Fingers crossed.

"Take care of your antiques and they'll take care of you."



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Quote from my Grandmother, "It's easier to keep up than to catch up."

My grandmother used to say this all the time. She was a fabulous homemaker and never got behind in anything. My grandfather had one of these little wisk brooms hanging on a hook in the hall closet. He always brushed off his coat before going out.

I was so happy when I found this small vintage broom at a tag sale. It hangs in my entry and helps me recall a valuable lesson from my early years.



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Folk Legend About The Christmas Spider

I had many notes and comments about the spider web I found in my kitchen and photographed for the blog yesterday. A blog reader asked me if I'd ever heard The Legend of the Christmas Spider. It is a wonderful folk legend from Germany and the Ukraine. Read more. Thank you Janie. I love it and I'm sure others will too. Rosemary 

Beautiful Sky And Reflection

Here's hoping your day is as splendid as this photo.



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Monday, January 4, 2010

Spiders Gone Wild In My Kitchen


I always forget to look up when I clean. The sun was shining brightly on this beautifully woven spider web in my kitchen chandelier this morning. Such a work of art! I think I'll leave it there to enjoy a little while longer. Maybe the spider is trying to catch the lady bugs I see flying around in the house from time to time. What would you do?



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January Is Great For Reading


This vintage poster certainly illustrates the weather at my house perfectly. I really love this time of year because the holidays are behind me and there is nothing coming up in the near future. It's the ideal nesting and reading month. I'm going to build a big fire and curl up with a pile of magazines and books today. There will probably be some hot chocolate later. I think I saw a few big marshmallows in the cupboard this morning. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Jealous? It's okay to follow my lead.

The vintage image is a WPA (Work Projects Administration) poster circa 1940. The commemorative print features a graphic design to promote reading and library use for children.



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Happy Is The House | Emerson Quote

"Happy is the house that shelters a friend."
Ralph Waldo Emerson



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Elijah Boardman Portrait by Ralph Earl

Ralph Earl (American 1751-1801) portrayed the richly dressed dry-goods merchant Elijah Boardman (1760–1823) in his store in New Milford, Connecticut. His right hand rests on a counting desk protected by green cloth secured with brass nails. The books on the shelves include the three-volume set of Dr. John Moore's Travels, two volumes of Shakespeare's plays, John Milton's Paradise Lost, a volume of Samuel Johnson's dictionary, and the London Magazine for 1786. Through the open paneled door to the right, bolts of plain and patterned textiles, including one with a prominently displayed British tax stamp, invite inspection and tell the viewer how Boardman earned a living, just as the books in his desk and the letter in his hand speak of his learning and cultivation. Don't you think he's hot? Such a handsome 18th century gentleman!
source



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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Anatomy Of A Watering Can

I got a wonderful book for Christmas entitled The Tool Book for the well-tended garden by William Bryant Logan, published by Smith & Hawken. It is quite wonderful and I'm enjoying it very much. I am amazed that I already have so many of the tools pictured in this big fat 302-page volume. Most were procured at various garage sales over the past 30+ years for pennies compared to retail prices. The scan above shows all the fine points of a good watering can. I learned the hard way not to leave them out all winter because they will fill with water, freeze, and blow up. Plastic ones aren't allowed here at the cottage. Good used metal ones are all but impossible to find these days so take care of the ones you have. Rosemary



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Two Funny Dogs

The most Photographed dog in Bruges

A tour guide said..every day he sits at that window watching the world pass by. Guess he was sleepy when this photo was taken.

Don't you love both of these photos? Found this morning while reading blogs in my Google Reader. Click on image for source. xxoo, Rosemary



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What Is A Palindrome?

Yesterday's date 01.02.2010 was a palindrome, reading the same backward and forward. The last time we had this phenomenon was 08.31.1380

That was 630 years ago so I guess date palindromes are rare, right? I love learning new words, don't you? So did Samuel Johnson.


BBL, Rosemary



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Saturday, January 2, 2010

Cormac McCarthy Typewriter Sells For $254,500.

The now famous Lettera 32 Olivetti manual typewriter owned by the author Cormac McCarthy sold last month at Christie's for $254,500. The author's description of the machine reads: "It has never been serviced or cleaned out other than blowing out the dust with a service station hose. I have typed on this typewriter every book I have written including three not published. Including all drafts and correspondence I would put this at about five million words over a period of 50 years." A few titles include All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, and Cities of the Plain (The Border Trilogy).

The unidentified buyer should be pleased that all proceeds will be going to the Santa Fe Institute. Cool. Read more via The New York Times.



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