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bookmarks & other snippets

grahames

29/5/2015

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SOURCE:  Purchased

It is great to collect bookmarks from the same bookshop over its history; see changes in design, typography, logos, etc.  I was recently fortunate to find these two bookmarks in the same bargain bin at a collectibles fair where I got them both for 50c.

The "Grahame Bookmark Company", later (around 1985)  renamed "Grahames for Books"  operated between 1940's and the late 1980's in Sydney, Australia.  In 1968 the company was purchased by Gordon & Gotch.

The earlier bookmark (on the right) is probably circa 1940-1950 and the later bookmark (below) is probably circa 1980s.  It is clear from these bookmarks that the company continued to use the image of Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom, science and letters, throughout its operation.

All in all, I prefer the design of the earlier bookmark to the more modern one.  I also love how this earlier bookmark instructs us how to open a new book! 
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Found on the inside of a book from 1951
The Grahame Book Company affixed stunning promotional stamps ("book trade labels")  inside their books.  These were produced by Waterlow & Sons, London.  Over the years there were a few different designs and two are featured here.   These stamps are very collectible and sought after.  Mint ones currently sell for over $50.00 each.  (I do not own any of these stamps.  The images and information was sourced online). 
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hill of content bookshop

29/5/2015

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SOURCE:  Purchased
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The Hill of Content Bookshop founded by A.H. Spencer in 1922 in Melbourne, Australia.  A very interesting history of the bookshop is available to read on the Books & Publishing website, including how the shop got its beautiful, soothing  and peaceful name.

I love this bookmark from the Hill of Content Bookshop with the quote by A.H. Spencer on one side and the signatures of several famous people who visited the shop over the years, on the other side. 

The signatures of  writers, poets, artists and entertainers from the Visitors Book included on the bookmark are:  Sidney Nolan, Barry Humphries, Fred Williams, Patrick White, Louis Armstrong, E. Annie Proulx, Robin Boyd, Seamus Heaney, Jan Morris and Vikram Seth.
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Edwardian bookmark

29/5/2015

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SOURCE:  Purchased

During the Edwardian Era (1901-1910) many beautiful bookmarks and postcards were produced for special occasions, including birthdays.  These usually included a poem or quote and an idyllic English scene. 

I picked up this very pretty bookmark at a collectibles fair for just 20c.  A bargain!  It is missing its tassel but is still delightful, especially because it has a poignant handwritten pen-and-ink inscription on the back, which reads:

"A Handy bookmark... Dear Win.  Sorry to be late.  Many Happy Returns, Aug. 7th I think.  Hope you are well.  Edie is coming to lunch tomorrow... Your friend Evelyn.  Much love". 

So not just a bookmark but and expression of love and best wishes and even a bit of news!
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The swastika on this English bookmark may come as a surprise but actually the swastika, prior to it being commandeered by the Nazis was for 5,000 years a sign of good fortune, wellbeing or auspiciousness and was commonly used and seen in the UK and Europe.
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a bookmark would be better!

14/5/2015

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Just discovered this great vintage poster on the internet, an original copy of which is held by the Library of Congress.

Arlington Gregg, artist.

Chicago : Made by Illinois W.P.A. Art Project, [between 1936 and 1940]

1 print on board (poster) : silkscreen, color.

Yep, a bookmark is way better than dog-earing your books, especially with an iron!

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classic literature bookmarks

11/5/2015

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Inspired by classic literature such as Moby Dick and 1984, Turkish designer and illustrator Ethem Onur Bilgic  created this range of gorgeous bookmarks.  The impressive designs highlight important characters and the general feel of the book as a whole.

You can see more photos of these great bookmarks on the Ethem Onur Bilgic website.
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A bargain Stevengraph!

6/5/2015

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Stevengraph Silk Bookmark (1862) - "Evening Hymn"
"Yes it is authentic and great color.  Missing the tassel but was listed in 1862 and probably produced before that". 
(Stevengraph Collectors Association)
SOURCE:  Purchased

Last weekend at the Clunes Booktown Festival I purchased about 80 very cheap old bookmarks (20c to 25c) from an ephemera dealer. Most of them were made of paper but a few from other materials such as cloth and leather.

When I saw "Evening Hymn" I sensed I had a bargain but at that time even I did not know how much of a bargain! I knew Stevengraph silk bookmarks and pictures were very collectable and that some were worth quite a bit.

Anyway, when I got my "Evening Hymn" Stevengraph home I researched it online and discovered it was produced in 1862, making it 153 years old! I then contacted the Stevengraph Collectors Association in the US, via email, attaching the photo of my bookmark and asking their opinion of (a) its authenticity and (b) its worth.

Great news!  The Stevengraph Collectors Association confirmed that my Stevengraph is authentic and that it could get anywhere between $50 to $150 if I decided to sell it. Now that's a pretty good profit margin! 

This confirms that you can still find a bargain from time to time and that dealers sometimes slip up!  Anyway, I am keeping my first Stevengraph bookmark and it is now a treasure in my collection

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upstart crow

6/5/2015

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SOURCE: Purchased

I love this bookmark, it's design and name (see reverse side of bookmark for the explanation) and am happy to now have it in my collection.

I purchased it cheaply as part of a bundle of bookmarks being sold at the Clunes Booktown Festival which I visited last weekend.  My guess was it dated from the 1980s and my online research confirms this.

The Upstart Crow Bookstore & Coffee House (also on facebook) now exists only in San Diego, California but not in any of the other locations listed on the bookmark.  This article from the Los Angeles Times of June 23, 1987  reveals why.
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London library

5/5/2015

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SOURCE:  Exchange

I received four very beautiful bookmarks of The London Library through exchange from the UK recently.  Very classy!

"The London Library, founded in 1841, is the UK's leading literary institution.  With more than one million books and periodicals in over 50 languages, the collection includes works from the 16th century to the latest publications. Membership is open to everyone".
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    the BLOGGER

    Debrah Gai Lewis lives in Lillian Rock, New South Wales, Australia and is a bookmark collector, yoga teacher and SoulCollage® Facilitator (among other things).

    ABOUT the blog

    In this blog I highlight new additions to my bookmark collection, feature stories about some of my favourite bookmarks (mine and other people's), and share interesting snippets I find on bookmarks and related topics. Thanks for visiting.  Enjoy!

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    1. Featured Bookmarks From My Collection
    1. New Bookmarks In My Collection (no Longer Used)
    2. Bookmarks From Other Collections
    3. Bookmark Paraphernalia
    4. Things Left In Books

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