Pretty Things!

Yesterday was one of those days that remind me why I love my job. We have been searching out images for use in calendars, cards and prints, and Assistant Rare Books Librarian Elizabeth Quarmby Lawrence bought me some of our recent acquisitions to look through for ideas.

I have been photographer here for nearly 10 years and every week something comes through our door that is beautiful, exciting & precious- yesterday an abundance of such items arrived in the DIU. I always feel immensely privileged to be able to work with such an incredible collection- and the team that looks after them too.

My biggest problem was choosing which ones to photograph- there were far too many pretty things to choose from! I tried (and sometimes failed) to set myself a limit of no more than 5 images per original, and the following are some of my favourites.

Susan Pettigrew

Kimono material designs: RB.P.992 Shin-Bijutsukai, issues 21-25, Kyoto, 1903-6.

RB.F.604 A Specimen Book of Pattern Papers Designed for and in Use at the Curwen Press, 1928.

Edinburghers- have you ever wondered where the city’s lovely quarry tiles come from? In the Edinburgh College of Art Rare Book collection we found this- RECA.F.97Maw And Co.'s Patterns, Geometrical and Roman Mosaics, Encaustic Tile Pavements and Enamelled Wall Decorations, pl.19. — Edinburghers- have you ever wondered where the city’s lovely quarry tiles come from? In the Edinburgh College of Art Rare Book collection we found this- RECA.F.97Maw And Co.’s Patterns, Geometrical and Roman Mosaics, Encaustic Tile Pavements and Enamelled Wall Decorations, pl.19.

Bahaus book cover designs: RB.FF.210 Vierzig neuzeitliche Entwürfe fur künstlerische Bucheinbände : Vorlagenwerk für Handvergolder Kunstbuchbinder und Fachschulen, 1928. Paul Kersten and Paul Klein, No.39.

Pretty Things!

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