Vintage Books: The Caravan Family

If you've been here before you may know of my love of vintage children's books.
I only recently acquired 'The Caravan Family' (last year maybe?) but it is definitely one of my favourites.
I have some pictures of a beautiful vintage caravan to share with you but as these photos were all ready to go I thought I'd post these first to whet your appetite!

The book, by Blackies, is in an annual format and dates to the 1930's. There are 24 beautiful full colour plates by Raymond Sheppard as well as many black and white illustrations.

It's the story of three siblings, Patsy, Tony and Paul, their terrier-cross Colin and of course their parents, Mr & Mrs Reed and their adventures on the open road in a green and cream (what else?!) caravan.

It's a charming story full of the innocence, not only of childhood but also of the era generally when having the use of a car, let alone owning one was a huge, exciting adventure. Those were the days when you could take off with no idea about where you might spend the night, perhaps just stop at the side of a road or ask to pitch up in a farmers field.

It was not called the 'golden age of motoring' for nothing!

What I would give to get my hands on a similar caravan (and car!). And don't you just love the way that standards were maintained, even on a caravanning holiday? It's a tie, trilby and jacket for Dad, a lovely frock and heels for Mother and much the same for the children, because, well, there was no alternative!

It all just makes you yearn for a simpler time, doesn't it?

Picture perfect

I thought it was time I shared a few thrifty finds with you and realised as I was looking through my photos that I seem to have found a lot of pictures lately and most of them share the same theme...
This tiny embroidery was just 50p at the Car Boot sale.

This one was a boot sale find too but a tad dearer at £2.50. It has a lovely tortoiseshell frame.

The pair below were £3.00 (for both) I'd like to think this will be me in my dotage but somehow probably not!

There is a cottage in this one. It's just to the left of centre beyond the lake and all those lovely bluebells.

I've hung a couple up next to my other cottage-y pictures and so it looks like a new collection is starting...

I do think pictures with a similar theme look striking when grouped en masse, don't you?

And still with cottages I found this charming butter dish in an antique centre for £1.50. The chap behind the counter thought the (handwritten) price was £7.50. I insisted £1.50 but when I got home I started to think it could have been £11.50!! Either way, a bargain.
The little sign says 'Fox and Hounds' (and look...there's a hound in the garden!) so it's actually meant to be an Inn but...

...the other side is indeed a cottage with (what else?) red roses 'round the door.

Back to pictures and this lovely Victorian print was £3.00 at another boot sale. It was absolutely filthy but a good clean of the glass and some wax on the frame and it's come up a treat.

It's called 'Young Dreams' and is all original. I've hung it over my fireplace as a change from the mirror that's usually there. It really seems to have warmed the room up.

This afghan was purchased for the website but somehow it's found a spot in my living room and seems firmly stuck there!

Aren't those colours just wonderful?

This little beaded Bluebell was 50p...

...as was this leaf arrangement which is strung with thread.

As part of my present this last Christmas A gave me this lead farmers wife (as I like to think of her!) and her little flock of chickens. At a recent boot sale we found the sheep and goat for 50p...I suspect that was a bit less than A had to pay!

I love the way they're all rubbed because they've been so well played with.

This crochet book is brand new and was a few pence because I can never have too much help! I've actually started knitting again which is something I have done before (unlike crochet) but I hadn't had a go for years and years; since I was at school. I'm always coming across cheap second hand needles on my travels and the house is quickly filling up with yarn so it seemed silly not to. It does mean that the crochet is on the back burner for a bit though while I rediscover the joys of knitting.

And finally, the first vintage children's book I've bought for myself in MONTHS! I couldn't say no to one with such gorgeous pictures, could I?

Just look at that 'phone! I have one like it but in black. I do know where I could lay my hands on a green one just like that picture but it's several hundred pounds...gulp!

I've put some new items in the Vintage Value category on the website today and a new upload of other stock will be coming in the not too distant future.