Saturday, August 8, 2009

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.

16 comments:

Melinda said...

OH WOW Kim!! I have to agree!! Greatest find of all!!!

luv2quilt2 said...

Absolutely the best!

Jocelyn said...

Oh wow Kim, what a treasure! These calling cards are beautiful. I wish that ladies would use them again. I have thought about having some printed. You will certainly enjoy this treasure for years to come :-)

Mary said...

Kim, this scrapbook is priceless! It was not only a find, it was a special heavenly gift to a gal that God knew would appreciate and love it! There is a website where you can order victorian calling cards. They are beautiful, but I needed something a little different for my tea club, so I printed my own and gave them out as favors at one of my teas. I'll post one on Teacup Tuesday, so if you're in the neighborhood, stop in. I would be so thrilled and honored if one of my calling cards ended up in a treasured scrapbook over a hundred years from now. You are blessed!

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

awwww Kim.. again.. i am envy with you!.. hehehehe.. this is such an awesome book! too pretty to say the word!..

debi said...

OMGosh!! What a wonderful find!! I'm sooo excited for you....that is truly a beautiful treasure! That's the kind of thing I always hope that one day I'll stumble onto. Enjoy!

Michelle said...

Wow Kim, Those are great and very valuable also. People love to get their hands on those to copy and reproduce those for resale. You should try to protect those with acid free paper sleeves. Have fun with your treasure.
Michelle

Robin said...

oh my gosh! we all hope to find that hidden scrapbook full of treasures! I'm so happy you finally found yours...it's Beautiful!
Robin

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Kim...That is really quite a find! I can understand your excitement in finding your treasure!
~Patti

Sundays Child said...

I remember back to when I was a child and my mum and I went on a trip to Ottawa. One of the places we visited was the National Gallery. On display was a painting that was .. to put it simply .. a couple of red stripes. It had cost millions and we just 'didn't get it'.

I think that your collection is gorgeous and that you were fortunate to find it for $40. Think of people who pay a heck of a lot more for one single baseball card! (I don't get THAT, either.) If you love something and think it was worth what you paid for it, then to you it is valuable.

Thanks for sharing your find with us, I love the rest of your blog too!

Julie Andrea

shabby*vintage*dreams said...

What an amazing find!!! love all your pretties that youve found!! lucky girl!!
have a great week sweetie!
mands

Lori said...

Kim, hands down i would have bought it too! The larger pieces would be beautiful framed. Enjoy your very special find! Lori

Sandi said...

What a beautiful find Kim!! Love it so much!! Lucky you.
Blessings~

Mary said...

Hi Kim, I didn't think I had that much white, either, but then found lots of items. You have some beautiful linens, for starters, that I know people would love to see. And maybe flowers...you have such beautiful things, there's got to be some nice whites in there someplace! Hope to see you on Wednesday as well as Tuesday!

Take care,
mary

Rose Brier Studio said...

What a fabulous book! I notice there are a few Rewards of Merit -- I find them so charming and want to know about the students, and about the teachers who gave them.
I found you through Stephenie's blog. So glad I did, I'll visit again. Your blog is very pretty.
~Marilee

Bunny said...

Oh Kim I gasped when I saw the open book you won the lottery here good going girl. WOW