Judge a Book by Its Cover

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Lori, over at her blog, Before the Stroke of Midnight, posted some

of her most lovely vintage books and I immediately knew she was

a kindred spirit. When I purchase a book, it's usually because of the

subject matter. I almost always check it out from the library and

read it first. Then, if I must have it near me, I go ahead and buy a

copy for myself. I think it's very comforting to be surrounded by the

books I love. But every once in a while, especially when I'm in that

delightful second hand bookshop with the creaky hardwood floors,

I simply buy a book for its nice color or unusual or beautiful cover.

And that is the case with this book, The Old Gentleman of the Black

Stock by Thomas Nelson Page, published in 1897. I will have to

admit, I have not read this book, and probably never will. It is a

sentimental old novel, not something I am terribly interested in.

However, I couldn't resist the wonderful cornflower blue cover and

the charming illustrations by Howard Chandler Christy.

An interesting note is that Thomas Nelson Page was the US

ambassador to Italy during WWI and wrote 21 novels, all set in the

deep south. My Uncle Steve who loves anything to do with the deep

south would probably love reading it.