I bought this gorgeous little book called 'A Bouquet of Roses' by P J Redouté, in the second hand shop recently. Dating back to 1958 and inscribed 'For Molly with love from Jo, September 23rd 1959', the condition of each page is beautiful and they are all intact. There is just a bit of collapse along the inside spine although it's only a matter of time before the pages work themselves loose I think. Perhaps Molly liked the look of some of the roses just a little too much.
I can't stop myself imagining these pages in individual wooden frames and hung all twelve together on one of my walls. Only I'm also having pangs of guilt because I'm not sure I have the heart to dismantle something that dates back over 50 years. On the other hand, however, wouldn't it do this lovely thing more justice to have its images appreciated on a daily basis? Hmm, to chop or not to chop? Quite the dilemma!
Happy weekend everyone.
I enjoyed seeing this post. My mom had a set of Redoute rose prints in her bedroom when I was growing up. I can see your dilemma but you will probably get so much more enjoyment from them if they are on the wall where you can see them every day. x Sharon
ReplyDeleteOf course you could keep it as a book and look at it so often that it fell apart and then frame them - best of both worlds! They would certainly look lovely framed and kept together though mmmn certainly a dilema isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI'd be inclined to chop! The prints would look wonderful framed and up on a wall somewhere and you would appreciate them more. If the book is half falling to bits anyway... go for it!
ReplyDeletex
So pretty :D I'd say chop, but with a caveat ... book papers and inks are not generally the same as those used for prints intended to endure prolonged exposure to daylight ... your pretty roses may well fade and discolour quite quickly once on your walls. To get the longest life from them I'd suggest you wait until the book actually does fall apart and then consult your framer re. the best glass to use. And meanwhile you could play at being Molly and turn the pages to look at your rose garden :)
ReplyDeleteChop!!! x
ReplyDeleteOh this post made me tingle.....My daughter is Molly, I'm Jo AND her middle name is Rose! However we weren't around in 1959!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely illustrations :)
Jo x
I think you would get much more enjoyment out of the pictures if they were on your wall. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteWell ask yourself which way you will get to enjoy those lovely pictures the most. Although I don't usually cut books up I think this might be the exception.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Helen
Mmm, difficult, how about scanning and printing and popping them on the wall.That way, they wont fade so quickly!You'd still have the book too!
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful!
Rachel x
hhmm could you photograph the pages and print the photos? I know it may be a copyright issue but as you have the original book anyway I am sure the artist would not mind.
ReplyDeleteI would also be torn (just read that back, the pun was not intended!) those pages would look so lovely framed for everyone to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI don't envy your dilemma Kate but I'm veering towards the chop and I have no doubt that you will do them justice with beautiful frames.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you decide - they are simply beautiful.
Jeanne
x
Oooh, gorgeous! I say chop, once you've enjoyed reading the book, that is. Lovely find. Laura x
ReplyDeleteI am a passionate book collector and old books make me weak in the knees :)
ReplyDeleteHowever this one is bound to be enjoyed so I would vote on hung pictures! I can almost imagine them on your wall! What a beauty that would be! Hope you show us the view if you decide to honor a wall and decorate it with these beauties!
Can't help you with that chick - I'd struggle to cut it up i'm afraid. Gorgeous pictures. x
ReplyDeleteNot sure Kate, I think I might be a bit reluctant to cut up the book if it were me!
ReplyDeleteI love old botanical drawings, a while back I bought 'Mr Marshal’s Flower Book', I just adore the pictures in it!
Sorry not much help but I think I would say no to chop!
Vivienne x
Tricky decision - I am generally against chopping old books but those prints would look rather lovely in frames.
ReplyDeletethey need to be on the wall, far too lovely to hideaway! Can you not compromise and scan them?
ReplyDeleteFYI Heaven 17 still waaaayyyyy cool. xxx
ReplyDeleteI'd have to wait until the book completely fell apart, before I could even think of framing the plates. I'm funny like that! x
ReplyDeleteOh dear, oh dear! The dare devil in me says "chop and display" but the book lover, which is probably the stronger part, says 'NOOOOOO'.
ReplyDeleteI often toy with the idea of sharing with others - framing and putting on the wall - such beautiful books, but I must say I have not done so to date.
An interesting dilemma.
I have roses on the brain too at the moment...
Hi to you.
ReplyDeleteThis is really lovely, being here. I am enjoying reading all your posts, but thought I ought to stop a mo and write a comment!
These roses are delightful- I say, put them in frames and adore them every day (and I am a book lover, too, but these are soooo pretty!)
Love the pics of the cats/kids fighting. So true.
Love the bed transformation- just lovely. I've got a couplle of little tables to transform- I really must get on with it!
Anyhoo, am your latest follower to keep in touch with your fab ideas.
If you have the time, do pop over to my litle corner of blogland and say hi!
Enjoy your Sunday.
Xx
It's a really difficult one - I think the scanning idea might be a good compromise!
ReplyDeletePomona x
Chop! Definitely! It's a shame to keep them hidden away in a book. Since doing my sculptures, I'm a lot less reserved about dismantling books. I feel that as long as they're being put to good use, and not just being skipped, it gives great validity to re-purposing them. And if you think of it this way, the originals were intended as works of art to be admired, whether they're in a book or not is irrelevant. Love the photos of your cats tussling, it made me laugh out loud! I just want to pick them up and cuddle them, they look so soft and squidgy! Vanessa xxx
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