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| In my recent search for botanical prints, DH and I went into a used book store. There we found several books dating from 1900-1936 that had nice bookplates of botanicals and birds, but the covers are in bad shape. We paid $5-20 per book. Since I've done my research on botanical prints, I know that these aren't really valuable prints, however they are in fine shape for framing. One book is valued at $180, so we'll leave it alone.
Now, I can't bring myself to take these other old books apart to remove the plates! What would you do? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by trianglejohn z7b NC (johnbuettner@hotmail.com) on Fri, Jan 12, 07 at 13:58
| I held on to some ancient nature encyclopedias that my job was throwing away thinking that some day I would clean them up and sell them. It never happened and they continued to decline. I have surgically removed some of the plates to scan and use in some art projects and don't really regret it. Its a shame to destroy a treasure such as this but on the other hand, letting them sit and rot isn't such a great use of them either. My mother is a great reader and always loads me down with the current best sellers (hardback) when I visit. I haul them back out here and trade them for old garden books at the local book stores around campus. |
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| I agree with John. One of the best pieces of advice my wonderful mother-in-law gave me was, "If you have something of value that sits in a vault, it has no value at all unless you take it out and enjoy it, or sell it." I have applied that to many things in life - you can revere something but unless it is used, it is useless. If I were you I'd take the plates out and frame them, hang them down the hallway, or even in the spare room, anywhere, or give them as gifts, or sell them for others to enjoy. You don't have to spend a lot of money on frames either - dollar store, craft stores, flea market, etc. I would suggest that you seal the frames around the edges so no dirt or dust gets in, and use some kind of mat to keep the plates from actually touching the glass. I would also put a few of the printed pages sandwiched with acid-free paper behind the plates for a reference of where they came from. You might want to think about the fact that there are hundreds of copies of those books in museums and libraries so yours are not the only ones in existence and they are probably in much better shape so many more people can enjoy the whole books. But your plates can brighten part of the world in a small way, and they would bring joy by being viewed everyday. Nancy the nancedar |
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- Posted by wonbyherwits z7 NC (My Page) on Fri, Feb 9, 07 at 14:11
| Update: I used 4 carnation plates from the book on carnations -- I put plates 1 & 2 in a double frame and 3&4 in single frames. Pottery Barn has very nice mahogany color frames with 3 choices of mats included, so I didn't go spend a lot having these custom framed. (I did search Michael's and Target first, but couldn't find the right combo). These are now hung in an arch shape (double print on top) over our arched mahogany headboard. Very nice, I'm glad I took the book apart since the binding was worthless. Everytime I walk into our bedroom, it feels more connected to our garden. DH really likes these as well.
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