I have to tell a story... (Arts And Crafts In The Middle Ages: A Description Of Mediaeval Workmanship In Several Of The Departments Of Applied Art)

[Lora]

I just wanted to share a story that is unfolding in our house. My 13 yr old daughter has to do a paper for school, and the topic is "something that is misunderstood". She chose the Middle Ages. She requested books from the library and when we picked them up, one was a 1908 edition of the title Arts And Crafts In The Middle Ages: A Description Of Mediaeval Workmanship In Several Of The Departments Of Applied Art. This is an original edition in beautiful shape. We nearly squabbled over who was going to get to carry it home! My daughter loves this book and seriously enjoys reading an English author waxing poetic about ancient art. Heck, I enjoy opening it at random and reading a few paragraphs out loud. My kids pull their ear buds out and listen when I do it, too! She asked me to see if I could get her her own copy. A first edition, she said! We did some searches, and contacted a couple bookstores in the US, and discovered the British edition looked different from the US version. She wanted it so badly. My husband and I considered, and decided this was a real thing, meant to be supported, not a temporary whim risking indulgence. So we got the book, and it's coming in the mail. The photos the seller sent me show it to be in great shape. On the whole, it cost us $25. She's so excited. We're reeling a bit at having such a child in our midst, but it's also great fun having someone with similar tastes in the house, too.
It's a book story, a brag, and a story of hope for those who fear for the book in our society. Long live books and the next generation that loves them.

[Gene]

I celebrate when mine read a book. You definitely need to mark the calendar for a new holiday because your daughter doesn't just want to read, but she's really excited about it. And not only do you have a reader in your midst, but it sounds like you might have a potential author there, too!

Her topic sounds really interesting and should provide plenty to research. It might be neat to read a summary of her findings when she writes her paper.

[Lora]

Thanks, Gene. The book arrived. While I was not surprised that it looked slightly different from what I had expected- that's internet sales for ya- it is in great condition for being over a hundred years old. The gold edging is still there. The pages and pictures are so neat to look through, and the author really writes very well. I don't know if anyone is familiar with that 60s series called "Civilization" but this reminds me of that. The author enjoys the topic and she enjoys talking, so it all works out. But as for the book's excellent condition, I guess not enough folks were lured by the siren call of middle ages arts and crafts!
And yeah, actually, writing does run in the family.

[Christa VG]

That book sounds fantastic! I love old books, though I don't yet own any older than forty years or so. I recently finished a book call Inkheart and it makes me want to start collecting old books.

The subject matter interests me even more, I love the middle ages. It is my favorite part of history. I would be really interested in reading a summery of her paper.

[Lora]

Yeah, I find the topic grand, too. This 1908 edition has dozens of uncut pages. That means, as far as I can tell, that several pages were printed, folded, but never separated. In order to read the book, we've had to do book surgery in every chapter. We're the first people to ever read this copy! I feel like Iniana Jones without the weird bugs.I'll have to include some short passages later, this writing is rich.

[Christa VG]

That is so cool! Do you think you could add a picture of the book to our group picture section?

[Lora]

OK, I now have a picture on my camera. I'm trying to figure out how to proceed. Just so's ya know I'm still out there workin' on this.

[Lora]

https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/h...

This is a picture of the cover. It's hardback, 364 pages long, and has color and black and white plates for illustration. I'll have to include more info later. I'm busy trying to get her to work on her paper,lol!

[Lora]

Another development: my brother really wants to see this book but lives too far away. I looked it up on Project Gutenberg and the entire thing is there for anyone who wants to read it and see the great old fashioned illustrations:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18212/...