Crocuses
A while since I visited the Hungerford Antiques Arcade; wandering around the town in bitterly cold wind has not raised great enthusiasm in me over the last few wintery weeks. But this week I combined a visit with lunch with a dear friend who lives in the town, which turned an ordinary Tuesday into a Sacred Ordinary day. Here are a couple of the things that I discovered and reconfirmed;
1. Things are not just inanimate items, but have a whole history of their own - they carry other humans' history within them. I have collected textiles for forty years, at one time sewing myself everything that I wore, and at another time pursuing the City and Guilds courses in embroidery, both pursuits from which I learned - the hard way - that a beautiful end product usually only comes with much toil before hand.
Magnolias
Sunflower Basket
It was with that understanding that I carried back these three Elizabeth Bradley needlepoint pictures - beautifully framed - for a bargain price. I know that the needlepoint kits now sell for £130.00; that the frames would probably have cost £40.00 each; yet I purchased each framed and finished picture for £8.00. But the biggest understanding was of the many, many hours put in by the unknown stitcher who made them; to that person, I nod in respect and admiration. Your pictures now have an appreciative home with me.
2. How I love books! They are without doubt, a lifelong addiction for me. I think the addiction stems from the fact that I grew up in a home with virtually no books; I can count those I remember there on two hands. As I have grown older, I have accumulated thousand upon thousand, providing me with access to all that I desire - information, escape, understanding and inspiration.
My own good fortune is to have had access to books at pittance prices from Martin Smith, the book dealer that I have known for twenty years, also based in the Hungerford Arcade.
Martin has been my downfall, space wise - it is his fault that we often clamber over piles of books here at the cottage... but it is also (partially) thanks to Martin that I was enabled to venture, in another life, into dealing in antique books and prints. It is also thanks to him that I acquired some antique, handwritten journals which led me on a continuing voyage of investigation and exploration to the beloved city of Venice - an adventure which is not yet ended.
Look at the feast of knowledge and information between board covers which I brought home with me this week - all for the total sum of £10.00; tell me what else you can get for that amount that will explode your mind as much as these magical tomes? One life is not enough….
Mornin' Roz,
What a haul! Lovely needlework pictures. Interesting books. Especially the one about Venice. Your Arcade is a gem. Ardi
Posted by: Ardi | Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 14:30
Amazing bargains! I especially love the book of fruit and vegetable portraits - every bit as beautiful as flowers. And I have just looked up the Robert Fuller one on Amazon, looks fascinating. And far more expensive.
Posted by: Cilla | Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 15:15
Wow— love your appreciation of the "unknown stitcher." xox
Posted by: Jamie Chavez | Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 16:52
We can rely on you to find the best things. Glad you rescued the needlework, it needed someone to appreciate it. The books look really interesting. Would like to see those watercolors.
Darla
Posted by: Darla | Monday, February 23, 2015 at 14:09