book marker collection

Click on the image to enlarge, as usual

I was visiting the Richard Salter Storrs Library in Longmeadow, Massachusetts this past week, and I was excited to find a collection of old bookmarks in a curio case, which serves at the coffee table for a small arrangement of wing-backed chairs and a few other seats by one of the many fireplaces in that handsome old building. 

The original building, designed by architects Smith & Bassette of Hartford, Connecticut, was opened in 1932, and then in 1992, it was renovated (carefully) and a large addition was added, which is sympathetic in design--at least on the exterior--to the original building. The addition was designed by King & Tuthill of Avon, Connecticut.*

This pretty little collection sits in one of the bright and well appointed reading rooms on the main floor of the old building. The fireplace had a fun, imitation log fire flickering away on the hearth. And the seats, were very comfortable. 

The bookmarks include paper, wood, leather, and metal designs. Some of the paper markers are cut; one looks like it was cut by hand! Others are painted, or printed with designs.  There is one made of fabric, in the form of a tiny doll, who's long swaddling clothed form the marker that fits between the pages. Fiber arts also include a cross stitch example, and an amazing tatted lace marker showing European buildings and a image of a tatter at work.

Lastly, there is a note in there describing the history and principals of the Foundazione Marcello Gori, which has been around since World War II, helping teach children hand crafts and history. They are apparently still around, and I assume that some of the markers represented are from there.

 

* King died in 2005 at 78.  Not sure about Tuthill but it seems as though the firm was renamed Tuthill and Wells at some point, altho I'm not sure if that was with the original Tuthill, or a descendant. They don't seem to be around any more.