Book treasure. The Complete Jujitsan.

I have really rather fallen for this handsome fellow I pulled out of a bag of tattered old books.

A fabulous book, entitled The Complete Jujitsan, by W.H.Garrud, written in 1914. The book has those wonderful instructions with LOTS of photographs typical of early exercise books,

 a magnificent picture of W.H. Garrud's Japanese mentor who has the best moustache ever,

and some great text, mentioning that even females can learn this useful sport!

 I love W.H. Garrud's expression - in fact, everything about him!
I photographed it quickly with my phone,  told a friend about it, and it turns out that her husband is writing a film script that includes as a character none other than W H Garrud! So I sent it to her immediately, before photographing it better, and before I got too fond of him to give away. A brief encounter, you might say.

Letterpress, cakes & books at The Hours in Brecon

There's a great bookshop in Brecon called The Hours. It's an old building, crowded full with books, and at the back a cafe - a perfect combination. I have been letterpress printing for them.

I was asked to letterpress print some labels for the cakes! Unexpectedly precise printing for me, but rather fun, choosing a font, and some ornament. Dark brown was requested, very stylish!

I have used a lovely font called Bologna, which has one of the cutest ampersands ever.

And then cakes are labelled! I love the shining cake domes.

I was rather pleased with them, and the cakes are truly delicious.

Thanks to Nicky and Leigh of The Hours. If you're in Brecon, go and buy a book and then drink tea, eat cake, and start to read - what better way to spend a rainy Welsh summer's day! Here's a link to The Hours facebook page.
http://on.fb.me/1HIJAhQ

Haiku. Secondhand book warehouse

All trails have gone cold,
Outside, traffic races past,
Dust settles, quiet shelves









Nothing like a freezing cold warehouse full of secondhand and remaindered books to make an author think!

www.francescakay.co.uk