photo by Boccacino
You know when you are at a place so magical and perfect you forget to take pictures?
After dance class this summer in Edinburgh I stumbled across an antique book store in the
Grass Market and that's exactly what happened.
After dance class this summer in Edinburgh I stumbled across an antique book store in the
Grass Market and that's exactly what happened.
I walked in and the heady aroma of old books sent me straight to the classics where I found Iliad and The Odyssey in Latin and Greek,
I silently cursed myself for not retaining more of my Latin.
image via pinterest via the Bettmann Archive
side note: 1920's copyright laws are so interesting. Google it if you get a chance.
I spent forever in there reading and searching and picking out the right books for my loved ones.
The older the better.
I asked the owner of the store so many questions about every book I thought he would get annoyed.
But he loved it and showed me everything he had in the "special case" behind him.
One stood out in particular. It was a French Bible dated 1777.
Every part of me wanted to buy it. It was only 30 pounds, why not?
But then I calculated how much 30 pounds would be in dollars and then I realized my French,
although adequate, would never get me through Isaiah or James, or Genesis for that matter.
photo by Rick Zhuang
So I left it. And I left the store, completely forgetting to take any photos of that magnificent place.
I guess I'll have to go back next year. And hope that the Bible is still there.
27 comments:
I adore antiquarian bookshops and books. There are many scattered around Paris. You really should have treated yourself to that ancient bible;-)
It's so sad local bookstores are going out!
To be honest, I could live inside a bookstore. I am just obsessed with browsing the different stories; I find that I completely lose track of time whenever I enter one. Books are just magical! :)
What a sweet little story - you should definitely go back and bring your camera.... or maybe not... sometimes these kind of memories are more magical when we have no solid proof except in our minds they ever actually occurred!
I love bookstores, they're such a fun escape.
loooove bookstores! this place sounded super magical :)
It sounds absolutely magical there and I would have loved to have seen some photos. I SO know what you mean though, I forget to take pics all the time. I visit a beautiful place, get so lost in the moment and completely forget about my camera. I guess it's a good excuse to go back ;-) and that bible sounds amazing. Hope your week is a fabulous one. xo veronika
I adore old book shops! My grandfather actually deals in antique and valuable books so when I would go visit him in Germany I was surrounded by his "stock" in every room. It was like having a library in your home!
That sounds like an incredible find...
Last week, I came across a beautifully bound little book from 1803 in my university's library. Its binding was coming apart, so I took it to the desk with no small bit of reverence. The librarian said he gets that feeling when he comes across an old book in the stacks--no one knows if it has any significant monetary value, but it's a bit thrilling to realize that you're holding a piece of history.
That's why I love antique books. Someone, somewhere in the past, made it, held it, perhaps read it, and it somehow survived long enough to reach my hands.
I'm so in love with these! Especially after the sadness of Borders closing. I swear it's going to be a sad day if Barnes & Noble closes too.
- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com
ohh i could spend hours in an antique bookstore!! well half of the time i'd prob be taking pictures! ;)
I'm going to have to find this bookstore and take a pic for you, it sounds great! Oh there's not much of 6 years of Latin left in my head either.
PS. I am an out and out Californiaphile.
What an incredible find! The story reminds me of that wonderful Manhattan bookstore in Funny Face...
i wish i was your loved one! i love old books, haha :)
Wow--what an amazing find. I do love an old bookstore. And old books. That Bible sounds wonderful!! I'm going to cross my fingers it's still there when you go back. And you could always lay your English Bible next to the French and read side by side. I think you need it.
xoxo,
Carrie
Ah I just love old bookstores!!! Hope that it's still there when you return next year :) xoxo
Old bibles are highly collectible!
So many small old bookstores are closing these days...(sigh)
aww, that sucks that you didn't buy the Bible. It wouldve been good reason to brush up on your french!
Oh, I know how this feels. Sometimes you just have to make a decision to experience something or take photos...
I don't think I remember any of my Latin although I always studied really hard.
You just never see anything like this anymore!
I visited an antique bookstore in Poland a few years ago and it was beautiful.
Hope you're having a great week!
xx
Joanna
I love those magical moments... What a lovely story! You had me reminiscing old bookstores I 've found...Hope you find the bible next year!
I cannot tell you how many times I have done the same thing, and wow it sounds so magical. At least the moment is marked here and yes a great excuse to get back someday of course.
Xo
OMG...so old and simply wonderful. Wow...what a magical place. Love old bookstores.
xo
I love special bookstores. A great excuse to go back to Paris, if you want it really that much, the bible will be waiting for you : )
ahhhhh go back now! lol I love old books bibles book stores. oh and the smell! I know JUST what you are tlaking about. My mom has alwasy had a book case full of books in her room. never mind the two out in the house. These were her special books. books that she loved and needed to see each and every morning. she has a passion for reading that is beyond me.
one of those books is a book of poems and it is inside a floral case with a velt spine and leather book marker attached. When you open it it smeels... AMAZING.
when i was sad I used to open it to a ranodm page and take a deep breath in
I've always dreamed about wandering around old bookstores in Europe and finding something really amazing and priceless (at least to me).
I love old bookstores! So magical! And, sometimes the pictures you have in your mind are the best ones of all. This blog posts captures those mental pictures perfectly. I love the idea of an old French Bible. Were family names recorded inside? I always love how they used to do that way back when. xoxo
Post a Comment