Images from The Human Race by Louise Figuier, Circa 1890's

Fig. 231-Thakombau, late king of the Fiji Islands.

The Human Race by Louis Figuier.  Old books vs. new books.  Someone posed this question recently on FB.  As if a true blue book freak could ever choose between the two. 

Fig. 1-Men and Women of Anatolia.

Books such as this are exactly the type that get my heart going.  Old and dusty Victorian era books in all their often politically incorrect glory.

Fig. 78-Nomadic Arabs.

That feeling you get when you spot a pile of books at an estate sale and your mind races in anticipation.  Will they be books that you're actually interested in?  I don't know about you but I don't collect books just to sit atop a coffee table.

No wait. I take that back.  I have been known to buy, or rather, rescue, a beat up old book given up for a goner.   I could never dismantle or manhandle a book in perfectly good shape but salvage a crusty old book to save a beautiful and unique cover? Yes.  Save a one of kind oh-so-detailed engraving? Naturally.

Fig. 227-Native of the Mozambique Coast.

 Like others passionate about the Victorian time period I would love to be able to time travel if even for just a few moments.  And old book like this is one way of accomplishing this.  A way of getting a glimpse into the Victorian mindset.

Which brings to mind the recent election and how one doesn't necessarily have to go beyond current politics to see a Victorian mindset.  But I digress.


Fig. 222-Mohave Indians.

Fig 135-Chinese Girl

 

Fig. -Bosniak Peasant

  Fig. 22-The Fandango.

Title page from My Patients were Zulus by John B. McCord, circa 1946. 

Another book that caught my eye.

Now the hunt is on to unearth a book on Thakombau, once upon a time King of the Fiji Islands.

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