. . .
I miss the old days ... Days of crumbling leather spines, cracking vellum covers, gigantic books with hand colored plates, and general amazement at the things that would make their way out of the pages. Since I parted ways with the Archive last summer I've been a lazy rat about finding beautiful book things on my own. Tonight, I decided to change that. In a temper tantrum like fit I've been searching the depths of the Biodiversity Library for books with seahorse illustrations. It's been one a 'to do' list for quite some time .. and I think the search shall continue until I find an entire book with engravings. I know it has to be out there. I just know it.
In the mean time, I share with you the very first of my finds, ghost fish. Tiny sea beats from the Archipelago, both dreadful and beautiful - all stuck between the pages of an old History book.
Beautiful illustrations. I particularly like the seahorse and the hammerhead. Modern day reference books just don't quite cut it when it comes to illustrations.
ReplyDeletebeautiful post.
ReplyDeletex
They're gorgeous. I love the blowfish in particular.
ReplyDeleteoh how absolutely wonderful! books are just too perfect, aren't they? and when they're old and "imperfect" is when they're the most perfect. to me, at least. =]
ReplyDeleteThey're so intricate!!
ReplyDeletei love the details on the scales and spines!
next time,
take me with you?
I get the dreadful and beautiful at the same time... more dreadful though, fish really creep me out :o!
ReplyDeleteWow! These illustrations are so cool!
ReplyDeletethese are so lovely! I am such a science geek it makes me so happy to see wonderful pictures like this!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely images- even the spookier ones are fab. The seahorse would be fabulous framed in a beach house...
ReplyDeleteMarie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
Spooky and strange and beautiful indeed! I think the pufferfish is my favorite; he looks so funny with his big throat and belly!
ReplyDeleteI love these! I was JUST looking at screenprinted throw pillows with seahorses and octopus on them...
ReplyDeletesuch otherwordly creatures.
Those are great! Whenever I get bored with the everyday pics, I go to a used bookstore. They have some pretty sweet finds!
ReplyDeleteLila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets
Ohh mann--ahhmazing!! xx
ReplyDeleteNot only I like to like fish but i like to eat them too. But I'll keep the seahorse as a friend tho.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful illustrations!
I love illustration books like these. i have a soft spot for ones with birds or flowers.
ReplyDeleteI have one with african mammals which is really good as well.
The second to last one is definitely a favorite.
I miss old books, I work at a used book store and it's amazing how beautiful the old books are, and how people forget them for that damn wikipedia.
ReplyDeleteSo lame.
Fish totally creep me out. And its too bad because I was raised by the ocean.
ReplyDeleteBut these are excellent illustrations!
Oh my, these are fantastic! I'd love them as a series framed on my wall. They'd work fantastically screen printed too.
ReplyDeletethese are fantastic! LOVE!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous,
ReplyDeletei always fall in love with old drawings...
mila.