Who doesn't love Hamlet. This article was folded inside a Danish book for what I imagine was a very long time as it's dated 1952. I often wonder about the articles people keep in books. Was there a person who took the time to cut this out an avid reader or theater fan and thought the article was brilliant? Did they want to share it with someone and save it in a book to avoid losing it? If only we had a spell that we could put on these things that would animate them to tell us their stories. Yes, I love fantasy and magical thinking. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good classic here and there. And I mean GOOD classics,  not all so-called classics are good, in my opinion. Feel free to comment on any classics you would not classify as "good". Back to  Hamlet, my ranting is over. 

The author of this article seems to be discussing how Hamlet is the most analyzed figure in the history of literature. I think that is probably true. There is a lot to think about concerning Hamlet. So many of the sayings we use today come from Shakespeare. Go ahead and look some of those up, it might surprise you. Just from Hamlet, we get these familiar ruminations. "This above all: to thy own self be true".  "To be, or not to be: that is the question". I could go on and on but hopefully, these have sparked a little interest so you go look up Hamlet or any Shakespeare quotes next time you're standing in line and just looking at your phone.

 

Speak to me of Love

 Isn't this just glorious. One of those things a girl gets made to give to her beau. I have tried to find information online on dates this may have been in fashion, but I came up short. Speak to me of love, what a lovely sentiment to put on a photo of herself, Miss Ellen. Or maybe she was a Mrs. 

I think it looks like the 1930's or 40's. Any earlier and I think her clothes would look a bit different, same if it were much later. I imagine it was given during a courtship or possibly an anniversary. If it were WWII, I think it would say something more along the lines of 'Don't forget me', or 'Stay safe', or 'Until we meet again'. 

I like to imagine the story when I find things like this, the happily ever after if you will. This was placed in a book for safekeeping perhaps after they married and then children came and life got busy, as it does, and the photo was forgotten. I would love if anyone out in the universe saw this photo and could tell me who Ellen is/was and more about her life. But it's fun to see a stolen glimpse of her life in this photo.

Certificate of Baptism 1906

Every once in a while I will purchase some antique books from people in the US. I came across this certificate in one of those books. It is the baptism certificate for Gladys Eleanor DeRodes who was born on March 10th, 1905 and was baptised on February 25th, 1906. It has been folded several times and is nearly ripping into two. It's so lovely, a little piece of history and family keepsake that should be cherished. Even if not by the family. One of those huge life milestones you look forward to and can't believe has passed so quickly when you are raising your own children.

This Guy

I have looked up the name on this card in many variations so many times I am convinced that he was a figment of someones imagination. Ha, alright probably not, but I still give up. If anyone out there has any ideas, I am open to suggestions. Hand painted, and not so well, I might add, this little beauty fell out of a Danish book that was published in the 1908. It didn't seem to belong in the book it was found it, but the back does suggest it may have been glued into another book or pamphlet at one time. Any tales of yellow faced, white bearded men who had a thing for mice and books ring a bell?  That could make for a very interesting, if not freaky, idea for a book.

A Girl in a Toga

First thought that comes to mind is this girl was conned into doing a dramatic role for some old Shakespearean play and is donning the toga, ferns, and the headband completely against her will.  Well, it would be against my will. She is holding her arms in a bit of a defensive way, shy perhaps. The dress not covering all the bits she had hoped that it would? This photo has no date on it, rotten, but it looks early 1900's to me.

Doesn't this remind you of a Jane Austen type thing to do? Or like Little Women when they would all dress up and put on plays just for fun? It's a pretty cool and unique picture to be hanging out in a book for who knows how long. Our girl here is married, so let's suggest that her husband just loved the photo and tucked it away to keep it safe. Isn't that a lovely thought.

Shaggy Haired Boys

There's no date on this little piece of paper and the back has nothing on it that helps either. I am guessing these boys might have been known to the person who left this in a book, or perhaps they were famous! Anyone look familiar? A boy band from Denmark? The hair makes me think the 60's or 70's, but they are dressed so indistinct to a time period, could be now. Someone had a crush!
 I remember cutting out pictures and articles about people I had a crush on when I was young. I had this serious infatuation with Mikhail Baryshnikov , the dancer. He is, was, and always will be my crush boy. If you don't know him, look him up on YouTube, or you can see him as The Russian that Carrie dates on Sex and The City. Still so very swoon worthy.

Insurance Congress Magazine May 1928

This is a full sheet of paper from May of 1928. It says its the Nordic Body for International Insurance Interests. So, not really sure what it means. I can tell you that one head line is this word, brandforsikringsselskabet and it translates as fire insurance.Seriously, have you ever seen such a long word??? I cannot even fathom attempting to pronounce it. Anyway, I am assuming the paper is talking about all the different types of insurance out there and what the latest trends are. I just love that it's from 1928. Before WWII, before the Great Depression, an interesting time in history. A fun find.