A Vintage Library

We have a lot of books. And I mean A LOT of books. Here is our library corridor, which is packed floor to ceiling down one side with our literary collection.

I love that books tell two stories - what is written in them and that of their current and previous owners. Inscriptions in the front and use over time captures a sense of history and personality.

They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but I have to say I am particularly partial to vintage cover designs and today I want to share with you the gems from our shelves.
Here they are:

Wild Flowers of the Chalk by John Gilmour from 1947. Isn't this breathakingly beautiful?

Nature books from the 30s-70s. I love the simplicity of these volumes, with their block colours and embossed writing.

These motorcycling books and manuals are rather more colourful. Their covers range from the minimalist 30s to the garish and technicolour 80s.

Continuing the transport theme, here are two books with painterly aviation illustrations. My Dad was awarded these in 1958 for 'Excellent Work' and I can imagine this was rather exciting for a 9 year old boy.

We have an entire shelf devoted to these Meccano tomes from the 20s-30s. The golden writing glints from the burgundy spines.

Just to prove not all our books are non fiction, here's an assortment of Partrick O' Brian novels from the 90s. Don't they look great all in a row. The top two shelves of our bookcases are reserved for novels. We double stack them, which makes it near impossible to find a specific book, but we can fit a lot more in!

Marguerite Patten's 'Every' Day Cook Book' from 1968. Missing its cover and falling apart, you can tell its been well used. The best recipes are always on the pages with the most ingredient stains on!

These art books from the 60s and 70s were my Mum's before the got assimilated into my are collection. They all have little bits of paper sticking out the top marking my favourite artworks.

I love crafts as much as art and I found this 80s Reader's Digest in Oxfam for £1.50. Together with the Woolcraft guide that belonged to my Nan, I taught myself to knit and crochet.

I could go on forever listing the gorgeous and interesting books in our shelves, but I think I've already gone on too long! I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of their covers.

Are you a book hoarder too or are you more selective? What's on your shelves...