Mockingbird Hill Cottage

I’ve wanted a Wallace Nutting hand-colored photograph for a long time. Every time I see one in an antique store, I stop and stare and then proceed to tell Don how much I love them. Nutting was a Congregational minister who lived in Connecticut. He died in 1941. After retiring, he became a photographer and took nearly 50,000 photographs. About 2,000 of these photographs were published in books and/or sold as hand-colored pictures. That was done by colorists who worked in his studio between 1918 and 1937.

He also, by the way, made furniture. There are many examples of his furniture on display at Hartford’s Wadsworth Atheneum, a museum I’ve shared with you in the past.

Anyway, back to the hand-colored Nuttings. I see them here and there, but lately I’ve been seeing some in a booth at our new favorite antique emporium. On Friday, I decided the time had come to treat myself to a smallish one. I stood there for a long time, trying to decide which one I wanted. I ended up choosing this:

I’m pretty sure it’s either in its original frame or in a frame made in the same period as the print. When I took it to the check-out counter, I found out it was 20% off, which was a delightful surprise. Some of his prints have titles, others do not, so I’m not sure where this was taken.

Gosh, I love it.

Of course, when I brought it home, we had to decide where to hang it. There is not much available wall space in this house, as you well know. Add to that the fact that we love artwork and prints and signs and you have a little cottage that is already brimming with that sort of thing.

Maybe the chimney? But then we realized that it gets warm in the winter and we didn’t want to damage the Nutting. So this is what we did:

We wanted it to have its own special place and the white cabinet seemed perfect.

I like to hang things in unexpected places. A bit of surprise is always a good thing.

When I edit photos of the interior of the house, I am struck by how crooked everything is. The door frame is not aligned with the cabinet, probably because the floors slope downward. The door is off-kilter, as well. When you live in a house with a stone foundation, built in 1891, things are slightly or not-so-slightly off. Ah well. I consider that part of the charm of this cottage.

We’re still getting used to something hanging on this cabinet.

Of course, now I want more Wallace Nuttings. I’ve already found the perfect place for them. That sigh you hear is probably coming from Don.

Once a collector, always a collector. The thrill of the hunt, the joy of looking at a collection, the stories about when and where you found each piece – all of it is such a pleasure and to a girl like me, priceless.

Have you ever seen this wonderful book? I re-discovered it the other day when I was sorting through my books. It’s one of my favorites. The other day, I looked through it again and I have to say, it’s beautifully done. The copyright says 2002, so I’m sure it’s long out of print. But if you love collecting and love displaying your collections, this book is right up your alley.

You know I love that pottery on the cover. (I just checked Amazon and there are used versions available!) The photography is beautifully done.

I’ve always loved seeing what others collect and how they display the collections. I think seeing someone’s collections is a bit of a window into their soul, their passions, and often, their own brand of quirkiness.

Thank you for your kind and moving comments on yesterday’s post about my father. I don’t mind saying that tears came to my eyes many times as I read your words. Bless you. As Don said the other day, and I quote: “You have the best readers!”

I do.

One last reminder to read my post, Adding Essential Nutrients for Essential Growth, if you’re interested in a vegetarian source of DHA omega-3s in capsule form. All the benefits of fish oil but from algae, not fish. #ad #sk

Happy Sunday.