When I was a kid Australia was my favorite country. Even though I had never been there I felt certain it was the coolest place on the planet. Maybe the wildlife inspired me. I did have a great koala bear stuffed animal. And kangaroos! What’s not to love?
(Image from The History of the Hoppers, by B. Parker with illustrations by N. Parker, first published in 1912 by W.R. Chambers Limited. My copy is a 1979 edition by The David Ell Press but I’m always looking for the original!)
More than likely I came across articles about life “down under” in the endless issues of National Geographic Magazine stacked on our game room bookshelves and the spell was cast. I remember cutting out pictures from different sources and making myself a one-of-a-kind poster for my wall. An image of Ayers Rock (or Uluru) was right in the middle.
Decades later I have yet to hop on a plane and fly there but have been fortunate enough to have met two of Australia’s coolest citizens right here in Portland: Suzie and Don. I write about Suzie often because she manages to bring me back the most amazing gifts whenever she travels. A recent trip to Belgium was no exception.
Whilst visiting Ghent (such a beautiful place!) Suzie wandered through an antique market. These are some of the amazing pieces of ephemera she found and brought back for me.
Fontainebleau, Edition A. Bourdier, Versailles. No date. Ca. 1920s.
A collection of hand-colored panoramic views of the Palace of Fontainebleau.
My favorite images are the library of course…
And “Cour des Fontaines. Comedie et Pavillon Napoleon I”
Souvenir de Paris, L’Abeille, Paris. No date. Ca. 1920s.
A collection of 12 postcards, six of which must have been sent out to someone special many years ago. Here are two views of the Eiffel Tower:
And Suzie also found a group of vintage prayer cards, dozens of them! These two are my favorites. Circa 1934.
The Virgin Mother. Just lovely. And “Sanctus Joannes” whom I believe is Saint John of Patmos.
I can’t fully express how truly wonderful these gifts are but I owe Suzie a trip to Pix Patisserie very soon. Thank you Suzie!!!
