View Full Version : Gem or Junk?
squeeky
28-10-2010, 02:01 AM
I got to go rummaging through a used book store recently and found this:
Treasures In Needlework
Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Pullan
It's a recent paperback reprint (relatively... 1973) of the original book that was originally published in 1870. "Workable Patterns Plain and Practical Instructions" It's divided into sections: knitting, netting (what they call embroidery on netting, not tatting **POUT**), crocheting, point lace, braiding/embroidery
I only got it because it looked neat and had lots of neat stuff in it, but wondered if there was anyone here who knew anything about Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Pullan.
Also I loved the dedication:
To Lady Needleworkers Throughout The World
This book is dedicated by the authors
in the hope that it may aid in the production of those
ornamental and useful articles that add
elegance to the boudoir, and yield a profit to the fancy fair.
I got what I think is an excellent deal on this appx. 500 page book - it was $3.95 and I got 20% off for military appreciation day (I have a dependents ID), so my final cost with tax was $3.50.
TattingChic
28-10-2010, 02:51 AM
I've never heard of it before, but it doesn't matter what anyone here has to say it's what you think of the book that matters. Do you like anything in it? I think it's the value that you find in the book that makes it gem or junk. If you enjoy it and get something out of the patterns or information in it then it is a gem.
All bibliophiles who also do needlework will be envious regardless of the content. The content makes it a diamond. To them (and me) its already a sapphire.
I just did a google search on Mrs. Warren and Mrs Pullen (note spelling). I found the book, and on page 6 there's the tatting....! a baby cap, etc. Description of how to shuttle tat with no illustrations. That would be a challenge. Haven't found out anything about the ladies yet.
squeeky
28-10-2010, 07:49 AM
I just did a google search on Mrs. Warren and Mrs Pullen (note spelling). I found the book, and on page 6 there's the tatting....! a baby cap, etc. Description of how to shuttle tat with no illustrations. That would be a challenge. Haven't found out anything about the ladies yet.
The reprint must be different. My page 6 is a German Purse (picture looks like a scarf to me). I'll keep going through it and maybe I'll find that baby cap. Now that I look at the table of contents more carefully it looks like the netting projects are scattered throughout the book. Can't wait to find the description sans illustrations for shuttle tatting. I'm expecting it to be sorta like looking through an old Tabor's medical dictionary - 8th edition talks about how promising x-ray therapy is for diabetics. hehehe
It is interesting to look at all the different patterns and see how many are obsolete now or how we just take them for granted now. Call me lazy, but I'd never go through all that just for some house slippers.
Lace-lovin' Librarian
28-10-2010, 10:24 AM
It sounds like a gem to me, but I have a tendency to purchase books and look at them over and over again. I LOVE books, especially old ones!
PattyD
28-10-2010, 05:53 PM
The scarf looking thing that is labeled a German purse could be a miser's purse. Here is a link (http://texastalking.tripod.com/id7.html)
crazytatter
28-10-2010, 06:25 PM
it's a gem especially you paid so little for it. good find!
squeeky
03-11-2010, 02:08 AM
The scarf looking thing that is labeled a German purse could be a miser's purse. Here is a link (http://texastalking.tripod.com/id7.html)
That looks way more like what's in the picture - I was trying my best to figure out HOW that was a purse. Since I'd never heard of such a thing, I had no frame of reference. Thanks for teaching me what it is!
I am a real bookworm so I know that I would like it...Congrats on getting it and it being so cheap
Hugs
Joy
Sunny_0ne
03-11-2010, 05:44 AM
I adore old books like that, so I would consider it a gem. I especially love the dedication.
Susan B T
04-11-2010, 05:54 PM
I thing you have a gem, any needle art book is a treasure to me. I may not do all the types of needle work they show but they are a pleasure to read and enjoy.
I didn't grow up with picture books, but with books with mostly words, so I couldn't easily appreciate even books of classic paintings and sculptures. Now I can read recipe books without a single picture, and look at albums of tatting with equal appreciation -- I love them both.