Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Today's Inspiration: The Bee Keeper's Review

I really think that those years between 1860 and the 1890's are the best time for printed matter of any kind (books, advertising...). I think it has something to do with the typography and handwriting styles, but I can't exactly pinpoint it. My love affair first started a few years ago when I watched this really low budget documentary on quilt making. There were so many images of beautiful factory advertisements from that period and I've been obsessed ever since. I've recently spent a lot of time with lots and lots of Bee Keeping books, from the 1860's to the early 1920's and of course - the ones from the later part of the 19th century are best!



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Okay, okay - so a few snuck in from the early part of the 20th century - but I'm telling you, after that - the pretty images and fancy font goes away! 

The second best thing about these bee journals? They have great photographs and funny little illustrations!!! 

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37 comments:

Sunshine said...

o i must agree! i've long loved and collected vintage ephemera and this really is the height of engraving & printing. they are the style the signs and ads for my shop will be :D

i need to get a look at some beekeeping books now

Deborah said...

They really did make beautiful ads back then, they took a lot more time to design them. I wish ads were a work of art today instead of just annoying.

The Thriftaholic (Leilani) said...

The fonts are amazing... I also love the natural history drawings from that era. :) (Also, I didn't know beekeeping was so popular back then!)

Anja Verdugo said...

I love these! I had a neat 1930's bee book (ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture) that had some cool old illustrations in it, but not as many as this! Bees are awesome. I gave the book to our friends who have a hive. :)

Eloise said...

Gorgeous! 'The Secret Life of Bee's' by Sue Monk Kidd is one of my favorite pieces of American literature. These illustrations you have here are wonderful x

Unknown said...

So awesome, especially the "American Bee Journal" with the portrait of the man on the front. Love it!

KATLIN said...

Love how elaborate and detailed their fonts were then!

jeff allen said...

One time, Burns and I were in his truck reading this book about bees on the side of a busy road. When all of a sudden a hornet landed on his shoulder! He jumped out of the car and doored a bike messenger, the bee was still on his shoulder so the messenger understood. True story mouse...

Anna Wallace said...

these are amazing. great finds! my aunt is a beekeeper and i know she would totally die for stuff like this.

lilly piri said...

These are just exquisite! I'm looking forward to keeping bees when i'm older and have the space. I can't eat enough comb honey.

Missa said...

These are so wonderful, thanks for sharing!

It's funny, I named my daughter Clover and Missa is short for Melissa which means 'honey bee'. I only later realized this connection. These illustrations reminded me of it :)

amy merrick said...

These are wonderful, you are wonderful!

Secondhand Stella said...

I have an small old book about bees from the 1920's that was my grandmother's when she was little. Bees scare me (even pictures of them) but I love it b/c it was hers.

Unknown said...

P.S. Since your blog has so many fantastic images, I decided I would tag you in this "fourth of fourth" game.

1. Go to the 4th folder in your computer where you store your pictures.
2. Pick the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same!

I'd love to see what comes up randomly in your magnificent photo collection so I hope you decide to do it!

Sally Jane Vintage said...

Hiya lil' lady! Be on the lookout for a package... I think it should arrive today. :)

Anonymous said...

oh they really are beautiful!
i was just wondering if you dlike to exchange links with me?
i love your blog,and i adore your style!it would be an honour
let me know if you have the time
much love
www.thepelicanandme.blogspot.com

reckless daughter said...

very interesting. I love the illustrations - so much more interesting then plain old print.


Are you into bee keeping or just collecting literature on the subject?

Jessica said...

These are so beautiful! I have always been fascinated by old illustrations and typography. I especially love the page with the clovers, and the Extracted sign for some reason.

Emily Blackapple said...

Goodness, these are beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing them.

Penny said...

i agree! they are beautiful!!! i love that art nouveau style. especially the one with the man in the bowler hat! x

Jessica said...

'extracted' has made my nite. sweet dreams.

Kallie said...

these are so nice. my boyfriend is getting a bee tattoo.... i'm going to have to show him this post for references.

Unknown said...

That is the most fabulous piece of ephemera I have seen! I wish I could find beautiful things like that in Australia, it has made my day!
Sophie x

sarah said...

ooh the typography...

Lexie said...

i love vintage prints - even if they're just ads! these are great!

Lady C said...

just beautiful... why don't adverts look like this anymore?

Pampi! said...

Hey Francesca!

I plan to write a master's thesis on Boston Street Style. I need a catalogue of images and fashion commentary on Boston's street styles in order to write this paper. I was wondering whether you'd be interested in being a subject and/or collaborating with me. You can do as little or as much as you want. I am still tweaking what exactly I'd like to study. This is essentially my first attempt at reserach and so I'm putting out feelers to local fashion bloggers.

Cheers,
Pampi!
smahtstreetstyle@gmail.com

imwithsully said...

An amazing blog find from black apple. Great name!!

Michelle said...

I wish we still had this Bee Journal here in Chicago

smussyolay said...

i LOAVE bees. a friend forwarded me this link and i am so grateful. one of my next tattoos (i only have one currently) will be bee oriented and this page is going to be SO helpful. i want the bees to be real and authentic looking and these pictures and stuff are just exactly what i've been looking for for inspiration ... all the other stuff i've found on the internet has been very lacking.

YAY!! bees!!

Unknown said...

oh, i love all of these, i wish i had them! well done...and i was wondering if i could borrow (with credit to your blog of course) some of these images to post on my bee themed blog at http://beehaunting.blogspot.com
:)

Micah C said...

Love this post!! My dad is a fourth generation beekeeper - where did you find these - something like these would look fabulous in his office.

alexandra grecco said...

i love these! so beautiful! xx

Miss Woody said...

oh gorgeous gorgeous! where have you find all this?

Illuminated Perfume said...

Bravo, this is fantastic!! Quite
Bee tiful. Thank you.

ACQUIRE said...

Amazing! I love these. Have you framed any of these? I bet they would look great in a grouping.

ACQUIRE said...

Amazing! I love these. Have you framed any of these? I bet they would look great in a grouping.

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