Beautiful, Elaborate Vintage Book Covers

The New York Society Library has graciously archived decorative vintage and antique book covers, and made them available online. The fronts are so detailed, with raised areas and gilding and lots of colors.

No matter how popular devices like the Nook and iPad get, there's something to be said for the nubby feel of an old fabric binding, the heft of the tome in your hand, the wonderful smell of a beloved old book. They say that lignin is very similar to vanillin, which is why the scent is so alluring. Whether or not that's true, I'm so glad someone's preserving the beauty of vintage texts!

Victorian Love Tokens

Lately I've been really interested in paper ephemera from the Victorian era, especially love tokens! They're often covered with lush, bright flowers and gilded scrollwork. Though mere scraps of paper, such ornamentation elevates them and turns them into treasured keepsakes.

In such an electronics- and internet-centric world, wouldn't it be nice if we took the time to create and send a love note to someone special (whether it's a partner, mother, or grandmother) instead of just zipping off an email or text?

(Images from the always lovely Victoriana.)