Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny and warm day and I decided to go to the antiques market in Greenwich with C. because I wanted to look for some treasures. We got there early and had a coffee and hot chocolate on a terrace while basking in the warm morning sun. I’ve found some wonderful treasures, a Noritake tea set: six cups and saucers, six small side plates, a sugar bowl, a milk jug and a cake plate. The back mark seems from between 1911 and 1941.
I also found a cup and saucer by George Jones & Sons, Staffordshire and two tiny Chinese bowls to add to my rice pattern collection. And I bought three beautiful old books: I love how they’re bound, the covers and old pictures. One needs restoration work on the back but I learnt how to bind books while attending graphic art school so I can do some of it myself. It’s weird if you think of the fact that this book belonged to someone else over a hundred years ago…
The market is closed down as of next week, another beautiful and vibrant place gone because the borough sold the land to a property developer. These are the kind of places that make London London to me… Such a shame, but I’m happy I have something that reminds me of a beautiful day I got to spend there!
George Jones & Sons, Blue Dragon c.1891-1920
Noritake, c.1911-1941
Old books
Old books
Old books
Old books
Wow! Those are treasures indeed!! It’s a pity that the place will be closed
I totally understand when you say that places like those make London what London truly is…at least that’s the idea I have in my mind of London 
Have a lovely week,
Some truly beautiful treasure hunting.
Aren’t they nice?
I have been nagging for directions for months but C. wasn’t very clear and she has very bad navigation: even on Sunday she didn’t trust my gut feeling. I did though *hehe* and we got there. It’s a place that is not mentioned, there are five markets in that area and all others are mentioned online just not this one but I managed to find it on Google maps.
Then when we got there after a struggle with public transport because the train was not running and I had to take a replacement bus, I found out that they’re closing down the market and the people weren’t offered another spot to set-up their business… so sad! I wish I would’ve gone sooner but at least I hàd a chance to go there before it disappears…
So I’m grateful
Have a wonderful week as well! *hug*
I’m happy you like them! I saw something beautiful for you but it was way too expensive… I mean, I would’ve bought it but keeping in mind circumstances there it would’ve felt wrong
and I also wasn’t sure how you would take it, it was some really old sheet music. I couldn’t really have a proper look because some people were being annoying 
And it crossed my mind that I couldn’t send it without having to fold or roll it, that would’ve been a bit tricky…
I also saw some cool 50’s newspapers but then again, I thought: some sweetheart gave me beautiful inspirational books, what do I need newspapers for?
I was planning on going there again this weekend if going south would cause problems, since it’s the last time and there might be bargains
but I’d rather say goodbye to some friends and especially two little girls…
oh I love love love old books… not neccesarily for reading, but the way they look oddly reminds me of chocolate (maybe it’s just my thing lol) and I simply adore the way they smell. I imagine those you’ve bought must have a delicious smell just from the photos, what a good hunt!
Chocolate… I’m sure it’s ‘your’ thing *LOL* Yes they do smell nice, I agree, they smell of old paper and aging, dusty, musty and dark. They smell of ancient castles and old wooden bookcases with ladders. They smell of forgotten places and privileged owners, of a crackling fire, candles and a rocking chair. They smell of wintertime and coziness or reading in a meadow on a sunny summer’s day…
If you come to England this summer, make sure to visit an old university library, I’m sure you’ll love it
And if they won’t allow you to touch old books and I mean really old books then let me know, coz I have the perfect place for you, I’ll give you the address 
I’m coming at the end of September (the summer’s reserved for Valencia, you know :D), so I’ll make sure to check out some university libraries (I suppose I’ll actually be required to do that lol). Of course I’d love to have the adress of the perfect place, I’ve never seen a library with REALLY old books!
Ah yes, September it was
I can’t keep up with all your exciting trips 
At times they won’t allow you to touch the really old ones or you would have to make special arrangements to see them. I found out about this place where they actually let you look at them without getting all freaked out about it *hehe*. I was surprised to hear because I know how strict they can be in this country and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity myself before moving back to NL… I’ll send you an email soon with the details, you will have to make reservations though, it sounds strict but that’s the only thing you’d have to do
I’ll explain in my email!
Great finds!
I love old books, especially old children’s books from the 1940s – 60s. What are really fun to find are old lettering books!
That sucks they are closing the market.
Thanks
I saw some real treasures there, but some were quite expensive, I was lucky with these though! I didn’t know you like lettering books, I’ve thrown out a few a while ago when I was sorting out my books. They were not really really old but they were special editions and they were collecting dust in my bookcase *hmm*. I’ll remember next time!
Yes it really sucks that they closed down this place, it had such a nice vibe, there are more but they’re so commercial and not as nice