We were visiting on a very sleepy Sunday afternoon, and with the attention grabbing food festival going on in the neighbouring town of Abergyvenny it was practically deserted.
After lunch I was happy to find the bookshop specializing in garden books, only to find the owner on the point of shutting up shop. "You're the only one to come in all day" he said. "I was just about to go home".
Not wanting to keep him any longer than necessary, I grabbed what looked like a vaguely interesting book from the 50% off table and left the bookseller with his only sale of the day. Luckily, my quick choice turned out to have been a good one, it was a Swiss published book on alpine plants by Prof. C. Schroter, F.L.S. (retired) and with charming illustrations by L. Schroter. Inside there are dried samples of Silene and Saxifraga and five beautiful postcards with photographs of alpine plants.
Hay-on-Wye (I can't remember there being that many people around that day).
Hay-on-Wye market, deserted and raining!
Alpine Floraby Prof. C. Schroter.
Postcard of Crocus vernus.
Postcard of Senecio dronicum.
Postcard of Sempervivum arachnoideum.
Postcard of Anthyllis vulneraria
Postcard of Anemone sulfurea.
Interior of book showing illustrations by L. Schroter.
4 comments:
Oh, Barry, what a great find. As beautiful as some garden books are these days (Seeing Trees is a particular beauty), vintage garden books have a large place in my heart. And the postcards are a lovely bonus..
Hi Helen, Aren't they great! I must add a picture of the interior of the book as the illustrations are lovely.
It looks like Fate Barry, that book was just waiting for someone who could really appreciate it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hi Isobel,
It was well worth getting caught in the rain on that gloomy afternoon.
BTW, have you seen the animated feature "The Illusionist' ? A wonderful homage to Scotland and Edinburgh.. you must see it.˜
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