Thursday, March 23, 2017

Encyclopedia Britannica


Many, many moons ago, the internet didn't exist.

And, because of that, there was no such thing as Google.

I know!

It's hard to remember, right?

For you youngsters out there, it probably sounds like the dark ages.

But, I promise it wasn't that scary.

If you needed to look up the meaning of a word, you used something called a dictionary.


But, if you needed to look up something, like say... the history of France, you had to use something called an Encyclopedia.

en·cy·clo·pe·di·a
inˌsīkləˈpēdēə,enˌsīkləˈpēdēə/
noun
  1. a book or set of books giving information on many subjects or on many aspects of one subject and typically arranged alphabetically.

The most well known, as far as I know, was the Encyclopedia Britannica.


I grew up with a set, as did many generations before me.

In fact, it's been around since the 1700s.

Sadly, the last set was printed in 2010.

In all, there were 15 editions.


I have wanted my own set for years, since the 1970s set I grew up with got tossed out with the invention of Google search.

I'm not saying who tossed it, but you know it wasn't me.


Anyway, there was a set of 1926, 13th Edition, Encyclopedia Britannica on Craiglist.

Not only was it a full set, but it also came with it's own cabinet.

Can you believe it?!


I was so excited I could barely contain myself!


The insides are still perfect.


But since the books have suede covers and they aren't in the best condition, we had to be pretty careful putting them in the cabinet.


And now it's living in my den and I'm in love :)


In other news...

I went digging again and I found my first two bottles!

Here's one:


 and here's the other one:


Fabulous, right?



As I find more, I'll add those too :)


Every time I look at it, I smile.

And it makes me happy :)


xo
rue




41 comments:

  1. Oh I remember those- Encyclopedias that is! I remember the days of NO INTERNET! What a great find! The cabinet is amazing and I love the way it holds each book. What a really great piece that is. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I remember encyclopedias! We had a set growing up. My parents also subscribed to the National Geographic magazine as well, so we had two great resources. I love your cabinet and those old books! The bottles are great too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I remember these - my father had a set, as well as the other ones everybody got back then. And with deep sadness, I found out that when my dad retired and was preparing to move to Florida...he dumped them!!! OH MY GOODNESS. I would love to have them now. Anyways, ADORE the set you just got and love that cabinet - can't believe you got the COMPLETED set AND the cabinet!! LOVE. Great look with the bottles on top too. Love it all!!!
    GADAWN57

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!

      I'm so sorry that you lost your dad's set though. I totally understand how disappointed you must have been. Maybe you can find a set to replace it too :)

      xo

      Delete
  4. Wow, that was quite a find - a real treasure. And, I love the addition of the fan, bottles
    and glasses on top. It tells a beautiful story of another time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Now where do you go digging and find these bottles? I have had to buy all mine. Wish I could dig some up because I do love them. Love your old-fashioned ways and love of things most people don't even own anymore. I do think today many kids don't seem to know how to spell, and it'd due to technology. I had a smart phone for a short time and then stopped my phone plan after about 6 months. I can't stand to see the butchering of the English language in texting. Rather go without a phone.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have never seen an encyclopedia cart like that - SO cool! What a find. Perfect in your house. Love the bottles you two are finding, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That cabinet and the encyclopedias are wonderful. We were just discussing encyclopedias this morning. My son as a child wasn't fond of fantasy, so a lot of our reading time was spent reading the encyclopedias and the dictionary. Sally

    ReplyDelete
  8. The encyclopedias and cabinet are amazing! What a great find. My Grandson and his Dad find bottles around their house all the time. Some really old one's!

    ReplyDelete
  9. As a kid I loved the encyclopedias and used to read them like other people read novels. When I was quite young I had a set of Golden Book Encyclopedias and I absolutely LOVED those. SOMEONE gave them away (it wasn't me- I get it).
    I am so tickled you found them. Just think, when those books were published they were full of BRAND NEW information...and were up to date and used for research for school, etc. What fun to think that you have them. I know you will love and enjoy them. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  10. My mom had a set of the same encyclopedia but last year she donated as so out of date. Hers were in excellent shape with black covers. I love old bottles, especially the turquoise blue ones!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love that encyclopedia cabinet and yes I remember having them when I was a kid. We had Golden Book Set for kids and I loved it. You found a real treasure-the books and John!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What great finds! The bottles look great on the cabinet. How sweet of John to haul the encyclopedias and cabinet to your house as well. He sounds like a keeper. By the way, I meant to comment on your post yesterday, I just adore your snark ones, I look forward to your posts because I love your sense of humor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA! I'm glad you enjoy them :) Sometimes, I get a bug up my but and tell it like it is ;)

      xo

      Delete
  13. Popping over from Rattlebridge Farm. It is so nice to meet you, Rue. Don't know how I've not know about your lovely blog, but I do now. Just signed up to follow by email.
    The set of Britannica is fabulous. Perfection, in fact! What a cool stand for it! I always just recall the low rolling carts with two slanted shelves. Great find and great find on the bottles. Hope you find more!

    ReplyDelete
  14. oh. my. goodness.
    jaw dropping surprise at such a find!
    and in its very own cabinet.
    that man is a keeper!!!!! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a wonderful find! I bought an entire set a few years ago (mine were from the 60's), but when we sold our house and downsized, I had to let them go. I was going to use mine for mixed media, but I'm more into watercolors now. I can't believe you even got the stand for them.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rue, when I was a kid growing up on the farm my parents couldn't afford a set of Encyclopedias, but our neighbors had a set and whenever my parents "went visiting" I'd head for the bookshelf and read the Encyclopedias while they talked and drank coffee. I was fascinated with the fact that they owned their very own set! Yours are fabulous, even with the worn covers. That just adds more charm. And it's even more fabulous that they're in their own cabinet. It looks great in your den with those very cool bottles, the fan and the glasses. As if it's always been there. Love it all! (John is quite the man!) xo ~ Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a story about the encyclopedias. Hubby and I had a beautiful set of Encyclopedia Britannica that we purchased in the 1980s from winnings in Las Vegas. Something he had always wanted. He would read through the volumnes at random. Sadly, we wanted to get rid of them but no school, library, used bookstore wanted them and we refused to toss them. Finally we found someone who wanted them and off they went to a good home. How fortunate your set is to have found you - they are beautiful. Enjoy them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mare :)

      I'm glad you finally found someone to take them. Not everyone appreciates things of the past.

      And thank you! :)

      Delete
  18. What a find! Truly a treasure and I love the case they came with. I have never seen anything like that. My granny was into digging for bottles years ago. When she passed away, my dad inherited a 55 gallon drum full of bottles. I have several of them. Some of them are so beautiful. Have fun digging!

    Hugs, Vicky

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a great find! The cabinet is seriously amazing and looks beautiful in your home. I still have our encyclopedia set bought in the 1980s. I have thought of getting rid of them many times, but just can't. I actually think the historical and biographical articles are probably way less biased than what we read these days on the internet as everyone today seems to insert their personal opinions in what should be only factual information, so I do still refer to them from time to time. It would be fascinating to read the articles in your set! Have fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joanie :)

      I'm so glad you kept yours and I think you're right about them being less biased.

      I've yet to really get into my set and read it, but you can guarantee that I will :)

      Delete
  20. Oh my goodness, that would make me smile too! Great find!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello...
    First off I love your new set!!! The case is just perfect!!!.....but.....I have to tell you a little story that happened to me.
    I too bought a classic set of beautiful old, weathered books....I was head over heels...for about 2 weeks or so. After 2 weeks (or so) I could not believe how dusty my home was. "Oh well...time to dust".....within a very short amount of time it appeared very dusty...again!!! and again and AGAIN!!! Then I noticed, when I got REAL close with a magnifying glass, "hey this dust is moving----or I am going crazy!!!" I scooped it up and took to a "buggy" place and they gave me the BAD news. They were dust mites!!! The first thing the man said was, "Have you brought in any old books or carpets?" Ouch!!! Yes! it was a nightmare....we had to have the house exterminated and EVERY inch wiped down 3 times!!!!
    So....now if I buy an old or used book, I wipe it down with 409 antibacterial AND put it in the microwave with a bowl of water for a minute or two. Now, knowing the size of your books, that would not work. Plus with the age of your books it would probably "run the ink". So, the next best thing you could do, would be to take them to a confined area, say the garage, and set off one of those insect/flea/pest bombs. depending on the size of your room you may have to use 2 or more. Dust mites and silver fish LOVE old paper. I hate to rain on your parade but trust me on this. It is a BIG pain and better to be safe then sorry.
    Your set looks lovely with the styling of the fan and old bottles and that AWESOME case. Enjoy!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Addie :)

      I totally understand what you're saying and I really appreciate it. And thank you!

      xo

      Delete
  22. Wow! What treasures! I remember encyclopedias so well, they were all I used when in my early school years. Computers didn't come around until high school for me, so I'm very familiar with these beauties. And all those bottles! Dang, perfectly distressed. Good finds! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great find! We had a set of encyclopedias but they were never used and because of a lack of space we finally had to get rid of them. Glad you had a space to display your new find!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow...that is amazing!! To find such gorgeous books and a way to display them all at once? Lucky lady...not to mention your own personal antique shopper! ;) I would be naughty and try to read them though.

    ReplyDelete
  25. That is so cool. I was just thinking about encyclopedias a couple of days ago. I love World Book Encyclopedias, when I was really young. They were easier to read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How weird! What are the chances? :)

      And thank you!

      Delete
  26. Hi Rue, what a terrific find! And to have the cabinet too, that's wonderful. I love old bottles too, yours look wonderful on the cabinet. I cheated and bought mine at yard sales! Have a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Rue,
    I like to go digging too. We have found bottles that way as well.
    What a fun, fun time.
    I love the story and the look of the encyclopedias.
    Carla

    ReplyDelete
  28. Fabulous find!! You hit the jackpot Rue...especially with that cabinet! I am so jealous now...LOL! Enjoy :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Rue,
    that is one handsome set of encyclopedias! The cabinet is amazing and I can see why you could hardly contain yourself!!! I grew up with encyclopedias too and we had two sets that I loved using for writing research papers....gone are those days I'm afraid. Great find and in such great condition!
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great find and thanks for sharing! There's nothing like having a physical book in your hand...especially when doing research. There's just something about opening a book and that satisfying sound of closing it when you are done...it gives you a sense of closure {literally!} I still remember the 80's commercial about the kid who had a report due on space! :P

    ReplyDelete
  31. Rue, what a fabulous find! With the cabinet it looks like something out of an art gallery too, 3 D art or sculpture. Some would just display it but I know you will be opening those books and using them, with pleasure. Google can't possibly compare to this set.

    Aren't you glad it was rescued, not thrown in a dump somewhere!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow--those vintage Britannicas are fabulous! I'm glad John rescued them and you are giving them a loving home, Rue!

    ReplyDelete
  33. You make me yearn for all the things I gave away years ago such as my encyclopedias, my cassette player (which I recently bought a refurbished boom box on Amazon) for all my my tapes most of which i sent away (sigh). Love your post.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It means so much to me that you took the time and I read each and every one. If you don't have a blog, look for a response under your comment. I try to get to them within a few days :)

For some reason, the comment box doesn't always show up, so if you want to leave a comment, replying to someone else's comment seems to work. Also, I've had to switch from safari to chrome in order to comment on blogger, so that might be the issue. If not, you can always reach me via email, located on my side bar. Thank you!