As I type this, I still have delicious memories of what I was doing 14 days ago, when I was able to stroll around this street bric-a-brac market - a 'vide-grenier' ('clear your barn') in Janzac. Somehow, the setting is a distinct improvement on some of the windy fields and race-courses I have more usually experienced when I venture to car boot sales here in the UK. Hard to beat a Romanesque church and a blue, blue sky as a backdrop, isn't it?
Romanesque capitals and window arch on the church
I had great fun conducting bargaining sessions in my schoolgirl French. (Ha - bargaining? They knew exactly how far they would drop - and I knew exactly how much I would pay!). As always - 95% rubbish - but the 5% held one or two treasures for me...including this instructional reading book for children published around 1860.
As you can see, the front cover is shot to pieces - but I recognise damaged items like this enough (I was a dealer in antiquarian books and prints in another life) to know to look inside - and when I did, I found the delight of these hand-tinted engravings. I find the last one of these examples particularly amusing - I think it would make a charming addition to a nursery. (Anyone who would like a higher resolution copy of this to print out and frame is more than welcome to email me for the .jpg).
So - for today's walk - would you like to accompany around the village? Shall we stop off at the patissier for a mouthwatering tarte or two?
This has all the elements of a perfect day... LOVE the photo of the Romanesque capitals and window arch, blue sky above.
The book appears to be one of the "improving" type, a lesson in manners and behavior? The color looks as if it was applied by hand!
Posted by: Margaret Lambert | Sunday, June 06, 2010 at 15:35
I'd love to walk around the village but I think I'd be too busy sitting down to look at that wonderful book. What great illustrations.
Darla
Posted by: Darla | Monday, June 07, 2010 at 15:17
What a gem you found! The market looked a lovely place for treasures - both affordable and just for the looking.
Posted by: Ardi | Tuesday, June 08, 2010 at 02:25