I am excited to say that I have finally received the new edition of Juliet Barker’s excellent biography, The Brontës, and it took a bit of work to get. I absolutely loved her first edition… all 1003 pages. This gal knows everything there is to know about them, and writes in such an inticing, informative, and interesting way. For anyone who feels the need to really learn about the Brontë family, this is a must read.
By the time I learned about this book, it was out of print. No problem though with the wonderful Amazon.com available to me. Quick as could be, I had a used copy winging its way to me. However, when it came time to find the new version, for the first time ever (for me) Amazon was at a loss. I could hardly believe it! But still, I was not deterred. Onto the next best site, eBay. Happily, I found the new version was available in the U.K. and ordered a copy from a bookstore there.
It has just arrived and when I took the book out of it’s wrapping, had to share with you what I saw: possibly the thickest book manufactured (aside perhaps from the Bible).
The Brontes by Juliet Barker
How many pages for this edition, you ask? A mere 1158… I don’t know how the binding is going to stay in tact! The photo isn’t great – I just took out my iphone and snapped a shot to upload for the blog.
And on an unrelated note, I noticed my little “squatty hen” there in the photo, which I had purchased in an antique store while visiting York. Realizing that Squatty Hen was not getting her due on the blog, I decided to include her in a few more photos of yet another prize I found on this trip wandering through the lovely British countryside. (Hina, you asked what I bought I my trip… here goes!)
Carved Bog Oak Necklace
This is a carved pin I bought at a little craft/antique fair in Ashford in Water. The woman who sold it to me told me that she got it years ago, and has the actual receipt book from when it was purchased by a man in 1910 for his sweetheart. I wanted that little book so much too, but alas, she would not part with it. This pin (which I wear as a necklace) is made out of “bog oak”.
Bog oak, or bogwood, is oak that has been preserved over years and years in, well, peat bogs. It has turned black and is fossilized from lack of sun and air and is very lightweight. There is just something about bog oak that I instantly connected to… and although I don’t think Emily Brontë really wore much in the way of jewelry, I imagine she would have, if she had bog oak! From what I can find, people wore carved bog oak and Whitby jet jewelry in the mid to late 1800′s and early 1900′s.
At the time I bought the little pin, I had never even heard of bog oak and was skeptical that it was even a “real thing”. But I enjoyed the pin/necklace and that was good enough for me. Since then, I have done a little research and know how to spot the real deal, and now have fun finding bog oak items on eBay from time to time.
Sorry, the next photos just aren’t great, but you’ll get the idea. And Squatty Hen will pass judgment on each piece.
Bog Oak or Jet Pin with Shell Inlay - it was sold to me in Windsor as Whitby Jet (a similar ancient wood) but it looks more like bog oak to me... it's not as black and shiny as the other Jet I've seen.
Delicate Flower Pin - I'm guessing it's Lily of the Valley
Bog Oak Bracelet - I wear all the time! Hard to see, but there is a carved butterfly with flowers surrounding it. A simple flower design is on each piece connected with an elastic band.
Although I don’t know if Squatty Hen approves of spending money for carved ancient pieces of wood, I love my little collection!
Now, off to start reading Juliet’s fascinating discoveries of all things Brontë!
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