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The Christmas decorations are stowed in the attic, the last of the turkey has been curried, and Christmas jumpers donated to the charity shop. Time for you and the children to turn off the mobile phones and computer games, cosy up with a good book and develop a new talent or interest while we wait for the longer days and warmer weeks of spring.
What better way to ignite a youngster’s interest than with a 1969 vintage Ladybird book on the fascinating pursuit of stamp-collecting, or to use the generic name – ‘philately’. Stamps were first introduced in the UK in 1840 with the ‘penny black’ and the ‘tuppenny blue’. The term philately, derived from the Greekphilos “love” andateleia“free of tax” (the stamp permitted the letter to arrive free of charge), was first introduced in 1864 and the study of stamps, postcards and postal services has been enjoyed by generations ever since. Ladybird books, founded in 1914, have published hundreds of titles aimed at young, inquisitive minds. Delve into Country House Library’s extensive collection of the highly collectable “Early Learning” books here.
PAINTING AS A HOBBY BY ADRIAN HILL – STANLEY PAUL 1961
Writer of this superb 1961 reference book, Adrian Hill, was an artist, author, art educator, broadcaster, and one of first proponents of art as therapy.He believed that art appreciation also aided recovery and after the war set up a scheme whereby reproductions of famous artists' works were lent to hospital wards all over the country. By 1950 this picture-lending scheme had spread to nearly 200 hospitals. This book guides the reader through the process of painting, covering different mediums such as water-colours, oils and gouache. While away the hours capturing that wintry January landscape or peaceful indoor still-life. Visit the Country House Library gallery of books on painting here
THE OBSERVER'S BOOK OF CACTI & OTHER SUCCULENTS BY S.H. SCOTT 1958
Cinderella in the world of gardening and houseplants, the Cactacea family consists of over 1700 species ranging from 63 foot giants to tiny half-inch dwarves. This comprehensive Observer book from 1958, details over 300 examples suitable for the amateur greenhouse or indoor space. What better way to spend those long January nights than learning about, and tending to, your exotic flowering beauties. For this and other vintage books on indoor gardening, venture into the Country House Library potting-shed here.
TENPIN BOWLING: KNOW THE GAME 1973
Nowadays, many of us have a tenpin bowling centre within striking distance, and there’s no better way to spend a winter’s afternoon with the kids than the fun and atmosphere of a game of ‘big-ball’. With the first automatic centre opening in the UK in 1960, tenpin can now be enjoyed by all the family, young and old. The ‘Know the Game’ (or KTG) books published by Educational Productions have been in print for over half a century and were written for anyone who wanted to know the rules and basic skills of many sports and pastimes. Country House Library currently stocks almost 50 separate titles with some of the more available issues starting at less than £5.00 each. View the Country House Library collection here.
RESTORING ANTIQUE FURNITURE BY EDWIN JOHNSON 1982
Many of us have a least one piece of furniture that’s seen better days, or we’ve gazed longingly at a car-boot sale rocking-chair. Why not spend some of those long January nights learning how to restore antique furniture? The runaway success of the TV showThe Repair Shophas demonstrated the joy and satisfaction of bringing back to life a family heirloom, so start with a volume of DIY wisdom such as this 1982 treasure by Edwin Johnson. With sections on stripping, upholstery, caning and finishing, these pages will breathe new life into granny’s footstool. Put your feet up and peruse the Country House Library vintage collection on furniture here.
YELLOW MELLOW - CHARFLEET A5 LINED JOURNAL & YELLOW MELLOW - CHARFLEET PENCIL CASE
Your January ‘nights in’ project will require careful record-keeping so treat yourself to a new lined journal and pencil case in the perfect Mellow Yellow January colours, expertly produced by long established book-bindery Charfleet of Canvey Island.
BRIDGE BY ALAN TRUSCOTT 1961 – OLDBOURNE
Author of this 1961 book on the king of card games, ‘Bridge’, Alan Truscott was representing his country at the world championships aged only twenty-six. After emigrating to the US, Truscott became the Bridge editor at the New York Times, where he penned nearly 13,000 columns in 40 years. Whether you’d like to play online against the latest A.I. robots, or face-to-face at your local bridge club, this is a game for everyone, young and old, testing your team play and individual skills. Learn the basics with this vintage book from one of the masters, or examine Country House Library’s hand of other books of card games here .
MODERN KNITTING ILLUSTRATED BY JANE KOSTER & MARGARET MURRAY
As a pair of knitted socks were found in the Egyptian pyramids, it’s evident that the craft of producing fabric from a single strand of yarn goes back thousands of years. With a loom or other large pieces of equipment not required, knitting was the ideal technique for clothes-making for nomadic communities. Fast forward to the 21st century and knitting has resurgence of interest with the exchange of technique and pattern on the internet combined with the revival of ‘handmade’ and DIY crafts. Containing patterns and instructions from pullovers to bonnets, mittens to mats, this vintage guide will cover all your knitting needs. For the Country House Library haberdashery department follow this link.
TRITTON’S GUIDE TO BETTER WINE & BEER MAKING FOR BEGINNERS BY S.M TRITTON, FABER, 1965
With over 150 recipes for making wines and beers from readily available ingredients, what better way to spend those January evenings than by mastering the skills of the vintner and brewer? When the warmer weather arrives you’ll know just the thing for surplus fruits, and perhaps enjoy a glass or two of your own labours. First published in 1965, this guide is one of many DIY brewing and winemaking books in the Country House Library cellars. Explore our collection here.
CREATIVE CRAFTS FOR EVERYONE BY G. ALAN TURNER 1961
Encompassing a compendium of creative crafts for family entertainment, this 1961 edition from specialist ‘how to do it’ publishers Studio Books, details crafting skills such as costume jewellery, puppets, clay sculptures and woodwork. Illustrated throughout with many black and white photographs, this vintage reference book is a must for anyone who can’t sit still and who loves ‘making and doing’. Browse the shelves of the Country House Library workshop here.
SUMMARY
While away those January nights, lessen the stress, and care for your mental wellbeing away from the screens - learn something new and beneficial for your creative inner self. No matter what indoor craft, hobby or pastime takes your fancy, Country House Library has a vintage book for your reference collection.
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