Wanderlust & Pixie Dust

"She was a pretty child, good natured, inclined to be quiet, but possessed of a curious mind." Vincent Cronin

Sis gave me a vintage book awhile back entitled THE ROMANTIC WAY An illuminating study of four women in pursuit of love and high adventure.  "Here. You can add this to your ETSY SHOP."  Sure, I'll take it.  Far be it for me to turn down a free book.  I opened it and started to read.

Caroline- Duchesse de Berry, Marie d'Agoult, Eve Hanska and Marie Bashkirtseff.  But which to read first? I began with the second Marie. 

Long ago during my F.C. (First Marriage) I had unearthed a translation of her passionate diary from French.  A nice old copy published in 1913 no less.  My first attempt at reading the diary of this talented painter, I was a bit taken aback.  I was much younger and newly married.  Her diary was so frank and honest. It was overflowing with more melodrama than I had ever known.  Now that I am older and have experienced more of life, the good times and the bad, her intensity of life is a strange comfort to me.  I lift her words up time and time again.  And choose a page at random. Anywhere will do.

"I am the most interesting book of all."

"I dream of the gallantries of past centuries and all unaware, I am the most romantic of women-how unhealthy it is!" 

Such intensity.  It's hard to read her words and not consider the time in which they were written.  To try and imagine what it would have been like to see the world through her eyes.  I could ramble on about the poor woman all night but I started out with the intention of blogging about Eve & Balzac. Was she indeed a "poor woman."  Some live to be 100 and do not love and live as she did.

"There are moments when I do not know what I detest, what I love, what I desire, nor what I fear."

Tragically, Marie only lived long enough to see her mid 20's.

Okay now I've gone and done it.  I've lost my mojo for Balzac and Hanska.  And I forgot that the title and quote for this post was in reference to Eve.  It certainly does not describe Bashkirtseff. Oh well.  Another night perhaps...

Mozart on the brain

 

Little sis had been going on and on and raving about this wonderful little used bookstore she had discovered in Torrance, California.  Recently we had the opportunity to check it out for ourselves.  Just before we entered the store sis reminded me that it was indeed, a little store and not to be disappointed.  As if! Chica should have known me better being my sister and all.

She needed have worried her pretty little head. 

Well first off the store was small, truth be told.  BUT.  It was a combination used books/used CDS/used DVDS in English and Japanese store.  Evanescence wafted across the shop as we entered and then was quickly replaced by Asian pop music.  No mind.  It was all part of the ambience.

We spent about an hour in there and walked out pleased as punch.  Between the music, the books and pretending that I was back in Japan (back in my old airline days) a great afternoon was had by all.  Thanks little sis.  Thanks husband.

One of the books I picked up was  Marrying Mozart by Stephanie Cowell. I actually had checked this out at the library a while back and never got around to finishing it.  This time I was easily able to lose myself in the tale of 4 lovely sisters and their intanglement with Wolfgang.  I couldn't help but be reminded about one of my all time favorite movies Amadeus.  Am I showing my age? 

My poor husband was forced to watch the trailer and various film clips on YouTube that first night.  Supposedly the book has been optioned for a movie.  Lovely idea.

What I love best about this movie is F. Murray Abraham's

divine portrayal of Antonio Salieri.  I could watch every scene with him in it repeatedly.  The ending of this particular scene never fails to amuse me.

Here is part one from the movie in case you have never seen it and maybe, just maybe I have peeked your curiostiy: click here.  I've decided to quickly put the book, Marrying Mozart

up in one of my shops. I am trying so very hard to go through my books and part with a few. Books, books and more books.  Can one really never have too many?  Yes.  When there isn't anywhere to stack yet another.  

As of last night my brain was still very much in another era, place and time. 

I indulged my vintage impulses and desire for a 13 inch waist by watching The Duchess

with a piping cup of hot chocolate in hand.   

Interesting: the UK version of The Duchess trailer.

The Beautiful Vampire

 

Months ago ago I came across a very interesting book.   I’m always on the hunt for the next great find and usually only pay  50 cents to one dollar per book, rarely more.  But the title of this particular book was certainly an attention grabber, The Beautiful Vampire.  

I carefully opened it and immediately read “La Morte Amorureuse” by Theophile Gautier beneath the title.  I was instantly hooked and asked about the price.  5 dollars!  Eeek.  More than I wanted to pay.  I tried to walk away but insanely curious,  I couldn’t resist turning a few pages and came upon the the following: 

“You ask me brother, if I have loved; yes.  It is a strange and terrible story, and although I am sixty-six years old, I scarcely dare to stir the ashes of that memory.”

And “One single glance at a woman nearly cost me the loss of my soul....Yes I have loved as no one in the world has loved, with a mad furious passion, so violent that I wonder it did not

burst my heart.  Ah! What nights! What nights!” 

As you’ve probably already guessed, I’m now the proud owner of the tale of a priest that falls madly in love with a beautiful vampire named Clarimonde.  My copy is from 1927 but a little research unearthed that the original was written 1836.  Gautier apparently kept busy as a poet, novelist and literary critic.

 He was a firm believer in “Art for art’s sake” and felt that  aesthetic  beauty was the sole porpose of creating artwork.

The priest describes her beauty:

“Oh! How beautiful she was!  The greatest painters, searching for ideal beauty in heaven and bringing down to earth the divine portrait of the Madonna, do not approach this fabulous reality.”  

 And his love for Clarimonde:

“This love, born, had taken root imperishably; I did not even think of attempting to eradicate, I felt so strongly that it was impossible.  This women had taken complete possession of me; one look had sufficed to work the change in me; she had breathed her will into me; my life was no more my own, but hers, drawing its breath from her.”

Her eyes: 

What eyes! With one flash they decided the fate of a man; ...rays like arrows darted from them straight to the heart.”

Would that someone would describe my eyes in a similar fashion.  Or rave about my hands like so:

“She wore a dress of red velvet, and from the broad ermine-trimmed sleeves emerged patrician hands of infinite delicacy, with long rounded fingers so translucent that the light shone through them like those of Aurora.”

Bookshelf Snapshot.

I took this picture of some of my books, at random. 

Most of these are vintage copies of the works of Edna St. Vincent. Millay, one Dorothy Parker.  These copies are especially well loved and are treated as the treasures that the truly are.  I have newer versions of these works that I can peruse repeatedly without fear of causing permanent damage.

Just thought I'd share. 

Nosferatu

Download nosferatu_1922_trailer.webarchive

For the first time in what seems like forever, I woke up early and was able to set my coffee pot a'boilin.  In spite of all the awfulness in the world these days I feel so happy I could burst.  Summer in the Inland Empire is simply dreadful for those of us who despise burning hot days and suffocating nights.  Like I've told everyone (including our delightful mailman) within shouting distance, it feels as if a bad spell has broken.  

I've even lit a candle or two, made whole wheat toast to share with my Abby and cleaned up a few dishes in the sink.  I can forget for just a little while longer that I have to pick my car up from the shop today.  Well now I've just reminded myself darn it.  We will be shelling out close to $1000.  Yeah right.  Lord knows that we had that amount and plenty more stuffed under our mattresses. No matter. Crisp wind is flowing through windows that are flung wide open!

Oops.  Distracted as usual.  Okay, in honor of Halloween, back to Nosferatu.  Growing up in LA, it was hard to read the L.A Times this time of the year and not be aware of this movie.  That and Oingo Boingo.  It was pretty much a Holloween tradition to see this band in concert on Halloween night.   Wow. Now that brings back some memories.  Click HERE

to go down memory lane and watch the video for Dead Man's Party.  

Each year my dad and I would ooooh and awe at the reappearance of Nosferatu's picture in the paper.  In our opinion, he is the scariest, freakiest version of a vampire ever conjured up.  Originally released in 1922, this movie is guaranteed to drop the temperature in your living room by 20 degrees whilst viewing.  As Halloween draws near, one can usually find this movie playing at an art house somewhere in L.A, occasionally to live accompaniment and often at midnight. 

I love the way the first scenes in the following clip have been colorized.**** WARNING.   Turn down the sound on your computer before watching.  The music, if you can call it that,  is a bit jarring.**** 

Whatever you do, I would highly suggest that you ignore the section of the video that advises to let him in.

Sisters

Recently I was trolling around my favorite local flea market.  I had headed over there late. Late, meaning that I arrived well after all the good stuff had been picked over.  Or at least I hoped. This way there would be less to tempt me from money I shouldn't be spending any which way.  Before I left I made sure to pick up a 20 pack of Scott toilet paper for $11.  This was also to help myself from feeling guilty about wandering the flea market.  I had to go in order to save money right?

As I meandered about I heard a dealer shouting "Everything $1 or less!"  Peeking and poking through dusty boxes I got the feeling that damn it, I should have been there earlier.  Y'know, when the stuff left behind looks kind of good and you wonder what the heck you missed by not being there early like you really have been. 

I reached down and pulled out a large hardback book and quickly glanced through it's pages. Yay.  It was choc full of black and white photos of Dorothy & Lillian Gish.  I remember paying $1 for the book and a small handful of other things.  Funny, but now I can't even recall what those other things were. 

Although the paper jacket on the book was in dire shape I was still excited and looking forward to sitting down that evening and curling up with it.   Several chores later I finally had a chance to spread myself out and carefully crack it open.  Lo and behold!  Look what I found: 

Holy moly.  I never get lucky like this!  It's autographed by Lillian Gish!!!! If you are a big old movie movie buff like I am you can imagine my glee.   Written by Lillian Gish, it tells the marvelous tale of her and her sister Dorothy in early movie pictures.  This book is so full of delicious photos that I would have been thrilled to have it in my collection without the autograph.  

 

With this book in my hands I can easily conjure up visions of early movie sets, Mary Pickford and Rudolph Valentino.  My typing is limited these days so I shan't ramble on any longer today.  Instead I'll share a few pictures picked at random.  Lillian and her sister Dorothy were equally beautiful and it is hard to tell them apart.  Enjoy these few wonderful snapshots of their lives...

This delightful picture below is of their mother.  

This next scene from a movie especially tickles my fancy because of the wonderful textile covering the table. I just love stuff like this.  

Next is a photo of something similar that I have available on my website Wanderlust & Pixie Dust

This next one is a Victorian era chenille table topper that I have in my collection.  Can't pry my fingers from this one though.  Similar fringe to the one in the movie photo.  It does have a small hole in it and it's a wee bit faded but I don't mind.  Love it.  Here is a link to a previous post I did showing two others in red.  Click on Red Portieres

 to see.  I had a huge one once that acutally had the image of a child riding a St.  Bernard.  Sold it. What a big dummy I am.

Oops.  I digressed.

 

Ha.  Must of had the vapors.  Love the drama...

Oh my.  Took me two days to post these.  My fingers are done for awhile.  I'm not bothering to check for mistakes.

Back From My Self Imposed Exile. A Wonderful Book From Sis and a Failed Attempt at a Yard Sale.

Gave myself a bit of a break from my beloved computer.  I've been having some issues with my hands and arms and thought that it might be a good idea to ease up a little bit.  I'm going to try to ease back into the swing of things beginning now.

I'm going to start off by bragging about my little sis again.  I am sooo lucky to have a sister that shares  many of the same interests. I've mentioned before how that when I go home to visit my family I return home laden with gifts.  Last weekend was no exception.  I strolled into my sisters room uninvited and all bossy (I'm older) and let out a big girly scream when my eyes landed on this book upon her bed:

Hello!  What's this?  Guess what she replied?  "Well I picked this up for you but I was thinking about keeping it."  Oh no you're not.  She didn't.  Bless her heart.

Following are some examples of the gems to be found in this wonderful, massive, informative, beautiful book.

From the 1850s:

Last remaining slave, Ceaser. 1851:

 

An early photo of Sarah Bernhardt http://www.sarah-bernhardt.com/

Paris. Remains of a building after a massive fire:

 

Tattoo man:

 

Beautiful:

 

Little ones playing on a swing:

 

This next photo immediately caught my attention:

 

It was the baskets. I'm wild, crazy and irrational when it comes to old baskets.  Zoom in.

Little sis also poured these beauties out onto the table before me:

 

"Remember these?" She asked. "

"No."  Because I truly did not.

"Are you giving  these to me too?" I inquired.

"No.  You're not getting these."   Bummer.

We also failed miserably at having a yard sale this weekend.  My poor husband just about killed himself rearranging everything in our over stuffed garage on Friday while I carefully cleaned and planted stuff about on the tables.  We made about $10.  This morning we only had 3 cars come by.  Anyways as we were dismantling the garage I snapped a few photos of some of my buried treasure.  Things that I had forgotten that I had because they were completely buried.  This antique oval framed lady is dear to my heart.

She was discovered early one morning when I was living in Hayward, California.  I always loved her because she appears as if she is ready to embark on The Grand Tour.   Being always ready for a Grand Tour myself, I can readily identify with her.  Or rather, the life I've conjured up for her.

Below are a pair of old brackets that we found in an old barn here in Riverside.  I used to have them propped up along a window seal.  Love em.

 

This is a detail from a lovely old 3 sectioned mirror.  The middle section is long gone.  One of these days I intend to replace the middle area with cork and hang it up beside my computer.

 

I came across several bits of ephemera and put the aside.  Here are a few from my pile.

A postcard of Betty Davis holding a pillow that reads "Old age ain't no place for sissies."

Another postcard showing Gertrude Stein and her beloved Alice B.  Friends of mine know by now how much I love a great interior shot.  Oh how do I wish I could see the rest of their house.

A pretty old card:

This next postcard is of a vintage clothing store that was long gone the last time I was in Amsterdam (about 3 years ago).  Imagine.  I huge crazy vintage clothing fanatic like myself wandering the streets of Amsterdam and I round a bend smack dab into this.  I was in heaven!

 

 

A hand embellished menu:

Bits and pieces found inside the menu:

 

Ta-da!

Books Discovered This Morning

I tried soooo hard to be good today and NOT go to one yard sale. Or the flea market. Or an estate sale. I'm weak. On the way to breakfast, I opted to brake and take a quick run through a church rummage sale just around the corner.

Immediately to my left I spy several tables covered and buried in books. I glanced quickly and saw what appeared to be mostly 70's-80's covers and what looked to be a few from the 40's.

I went down on my knees to get a better look. I reached down and picked up this:
A truly wondrous book on the actress SARAH BERNHARDT.

And while I was looking for a great link to post on Ms. Bernhardt I discovered this incredible bit on actress who have portrayed Cleopatra throughout the years, on YOUTUBE. Thanks zieggeldgrrl for sharing this. You picked the perfect music to go with it.

I daresay that I have always thought that she had some of the most mesmerizing eyes. Like Ben Kingsley. I find his eyes to be very intriguing as well.

This handsome creature, a Mr. Leo Tellegen, is listed as her very last leading man.

As I know I've mentioned somewhere before, I do love old interior shots. How I wish I could see this photo in blooming color.

This photo was taking as she posed in her very own private train car.

And right after I discovered the book on Sarah Bernhardt I unearthed a book from the 1920's on the life and times of Cleopatra.

By this time I'm already figuring that I had better pay very close attention to the rest of the books because someone out there had similar interests. Hopefully many of the books had come from the same place right?

Then this caught my attention:

"All Passion Spent" by Vita Sackville-West. I've added a link about Vita off to the left of my blog under INTERESTING SITES TO CHECK OUT. I thought that I had posted a link for more information about Virginia Woolf but I guess not. I'll try to do that soon.

If I hadn't already been on my knees pawing through a dust covered cardboard box, my knees would have buckled.

And then, would you believe:

"Flush" A Biography by Virginia Woolf? Discoverd together even in death.

Another first edition?

By the time I got myself up from my hands and knees I found myself to be in the midst of a book lovers frenzy. There had to be at least 10 others digging about the tables and boxes and it was getting difficult to continue the hunt.

I also had completely forgotten my poor husband who hadn't slept in 24 hours. I'm so bad. And selfish. The poor thing was napping by the time I figured out where he had parked the car. I was so excited and rambling on like a babbling brook about my treasures that my hubby just busted out laughing in my face. But what a great unexpected treat!

Don't know about anyone else but each and every one of these books are just the thing to get me giddy. there are several others that I want to share but sorry! I want to curl up with one of em even more.

Actually book reading my have to wait as well. Hyacinth of Keeping up Appearances is on my telly and beckoning!

Speaking of China...

Don't worry. I'm not going to get all political here. Trust me, I have an opinion alright about the Olympics being in China but I vented that opinion to my poor husband. No, what got me all fired up about China this morning was this Ebay listing.
I was in the middle of debating a bill with a company that I hope I never hear from again. As I was placed on hold numerous times, I was sort of flipping through Ebay while waiting.

I immediately got excited because about ten years ago I purchased this pair in Beijing:

If you were able to click on the Ebay link above, maybe you noticed their resemblance to the the two panels in the Ebay listing. I never knew what my panels were meant for originally, only that I thought that they were beautiful. Maybe now I know.

Well that was all it took to get me going this morning and drop everything I was supposed to be doing. Once I dug my pretty embroidered panels out I had to dig up my precious red shoes:

Egads. I have to pause here for a little while. My Abby is driving me nuts. She has had her breakfast and has been out to potty but now she is spinning around in circles and ramming me in the ankles with her nose. She is demanding to go out and seize the day.

I'll be back later with more photo's to show. I'll also be sharing two of my books, The Last Empress from 1931 and Letters From China circa 1910.

Didn't you just love the music that is playing on that Ebay listing? Hauntingly beautiful. I'm going to email the seller and see if I can find out who it is by.

In the mean time, if you are truly a textile freak like I am, take a look at this other listing by the same seller: Wow. I almost get light headed from gazing at this magnifcent work.

*****************************************************************************************

I'm back.

These dear tiny shoes are so very small that I can only imagine that they were made for display only. I should have taken a picture of them next to my tape measure. They measure just under 3 inches high and about 3 1/2 inches long. While in the shower a few moments ago, I remembered that somewhere around this house I have a 3rd old book that shows the effects on a woman's foot after wearing these types of shoes. Something you don't see every day.

"Within the sight of the allied camp rose the fairylike pavilion of the imperial domain. The call of foreign bugles broke the silence of the empty halls scented with aromatic woods, beautified with pictures, glorified with velvets, with lacquer and with gold. In the Summer Palace were treasures that had been collected by Manchu emperors of seven generations. And no one there to guard them."

"There is still room for a book on the empress who held the fate of China in her hands for half a century." From The Last Empress, 1938. I meant to take more photos of this book but didn't get a chance and only took the last two.

"Letters From China. With Particular Reference To The Empress Dowager And The Women Of China. With Eighty Illustrations From Photographs And A Map." 3rd Edition, 1910. This was one of those books discarded by the library.

A beautiful Princess in all her finery.

Pay special attention to the second paragraph and try to envision. Better yet. Pull up the WOW link up above, in another window. Then read this second paragraph with the music playing.

School children learning algebra.

American ladies spending an afternoon in the court.

What a beautiful, outrageous, fascinating, infuriating, incredible, mind boggling, confusing, sad, intriguing world that we live in.

Love Letters, An Anthology of Passion

Love Letters, An Anthology of Passion.

Among the many great books that I've been coming across lately (Thanks sis!) the following book is one of them. This book was published several years ago and was so popular that they came out with a second book with the same love letter theme. I've just listed at copy of Love Letters on my WEBSITE. And the only reason that I am able to part with this beautiful book is because my sister and each have our own copies of both books already. This is an extra.

Both books are filled with quotes and actual copies of love letters from love struck couples throughout the ages. This one opens up to be read and even has a fake red wax seal attached

"You are my largesse, my intoxicating superfluity!" Richard Wagner to Judith Gautier, September , 1876. Doesn't every women wish to hear this whispered in her ear at least once in a lifetime?

"I tremble for what we are doing. Are you sure you shall love me forever? Shall we never repent? I fear and I hope." Lady Mary Pierrepoint to Edward W. Montague, on the eve of their elopement. August 15, 1712

"Darling, my darling..."

Here is the cover of the second book. I don't have a copy of this to offer but if I ever come across another copy I will definitely make it available to everyone. Passionate Love Letters. An Anthology of Desire.

"Your nearness strikes into me like a red-hot needle."

Now this next quote is a real gem. "Ah Effie-You have such sad, wicked ways without even knowing it." A little further down: "Such desparate ways of doing the most innocent things-Mercy on us."

Next is a letter from King VIII to Anne Bolyn around July 1528. Transcripts of all letters are located at the back of each book.

"My blood seethes and fumes." Eugene O'Neill to Beatrice Ashe, 1914."Yesterday was a day of perfect debauchery." 1917. Hmmmm. Makes you wonder...

Ravished.

"Ye Gods ! What a night I spent! I am your slave, make me your king. " Lieutenant Jock Lewes to Mirren Barford, July 6th, 1941."

"I am your slave, make me your king." Swoon...

"Dere Mable: How was I to know Broggins was a dog."
Of to the side of this little doggy is this quote: "What was our disagreement about? Yes-about keeping our own individuality when we were in danger of melting into one." August Strindberg to Harriet Bosse, July 4th, 1902. Interesting to be reminded that another woman, someone over 100 years ago also struggled with retaining her independence.

"I could not suffer much more and be alive." Horatio Nelson to Lady Emma Hamilton, probably September 28th 1801.

".... this letter is just really a squeal of pain." Vita Sackville-West to Virginia Woolf, Jan 21st, 1926. Lest we forget, Vita also had a torrid love affair with Violet Keppel. That Vita sure led an interesting life to say the least. I dare you to call that woman boring.

Long story short, rumor has it that Woolf was inspired by Violet, to write the book Orlando. Orlando was made into a beautiful movie back in 1993 (or was it 92?) starring Tilda Swinton (and a young, hunky, Billy Zane) who recently won an Oscar. Click HERE for a look at an interesting site based on the movie. And HERE for a look at the movie trailer. The costuming in this film is exquisite. One of my all time favorite movies.

All of which reminds me. I never did get the soundtrack to this flick.