Yeoman's in the Fork Blog
While the term “scrapbooking” today conjures up images of aisles upon aisles of paper, stickers, embellishments, and cutting tools, in its infancy (over 150 years ago), scrapbooks mainly consisted of books with a collection of scrap papers, newspaper clippings, pressed flowers, and possibly some photographs. The "drawing room" scrapbook was the center of social exchange and discussion in the mid-eighteenth century. These were full of memories and family stories. These were cherished by future generations and are regarded as priceless. They are like a part of a family's heritage. Queen Victoria even had a scrapbook displayed in the Royal Palace. And all you valiant men who are still reading this blog posting will be pleased to note that Thomas Jefferson was among the first “scrapbookers.” He created a series of albums filled with newspaper clippings of his presidency for future reference. Mark Twain was also an avid scrapbooker, even going so far as to publish Mark Twain’s Adhesive Scrapbook that included pre-pasted pages that became one of his most popular books!
Recently we came into possession of a rather unique scrapbook dating to the mid-nineteenth century. The beginning of the book is a ledger for what seems to be a horse-and-carriage service in the 1830’s and then becomes a woman’s scrapbook, decorated with pieces of wallpaper, borders, cut outs of figurines, furniture, etc. A new vignette appears each time you turn the page. To me, it looks like an early idea book used by design professionals. In design school, we were encouraged to tear out pictures from magazines that inspire us, or keep swatches of fabrics and other textures and finishes. It gives you something to refer back to without rifling through mounds of loose papers.
So what do you classify a scrapbook as? Some could be considered collections of poems or songs, or possibly a history of a family. This one in particular would best be described as “folk art.” Purely for decoration and never really intended to be “art,” it is a piece of history that is worth preserving and honoring. So the next time you’re browsing through the massive scrapbooking department in your local arts and crafts store, remember the hobby’s humble beginnings and be inspired!!!
Categoried under: BookbindingDebbie Higgs
Elizabeth Timbs
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