Vacation Day Treasure Hunting - Part 3

OK ladies, to end the showing of my new treasures that I found during my week of antiquing and thrifting while I was on vacation, I've saved the best for last. Some of you may not agree, but for me personally, this was the find of the week.

This last find, like those in my previous post was also discovered in the beautiful town of Red Wing, Minnesota and had me totally giddy with excitement and I still can't believe that I was lucky enough to find this and bring it home with me. I almost passed by this item which was just laying out on a table amongst other odds and ends, thinking by the looks of it that it was nothing special, but boy was I ever wrong. My curiosity got the better of me and I just had to open the cover to see what was inside. I think my mouth hit the floor when I discovered what was hidden inside a very tattered and shabby looking scrapbook.

If you can read the tag on the scrapbook, you will see that the price of this very shabby looking item was $40.00 and some of you may cringe and wonder what on earth I was thinking to pay that much money for something in this condition, but you'll understand why when I tell you that this 9 x 12 inch scrapbook was filled with 17 tattered and yellowed pages of gorgeous Victorian calling cards and other beautiful ephemera. The scrapbook itself is not dated, however, my best guess as to an approximate date for this scrapbook is somewhere around 1908 as one of the pages included a large full page card which on the front reads "With best wishes of your teacher, Hilda Evensan, Hartland, Minn, May 29, 1908".

I have always dreamed of finding something like this, but I knew that in most cases, the price would be much more than I could afford or would be willing to pay. Luck was with me however on this date, and I found the treasure I have always dreamed of and at a price that I could actually afford. Even with this and the other items I purchased on the same day, I actually managed to stay mostly within the budget I set for myself on this shopping day, only spending a little more than I had originally planned.

So, are you ready to see what was inside?? I will end the suspense and let you take a look. Sit back, relax and enjoy a page by page look at the beauty which this tattered treasure holds....

Unfortunately, my camera does not do justice to the beauty inside of this book, but I hope you enjoyed seeing what was inside. I'm so glad I was able to find this treasure and also to be able to share it with all of you. I know this is something that I will enjoy looking at over and over again in the years to come.