I hated school, but when I left I was finally at liberty to read and learn what I was actually interested in - which was quite a broad spectrum really. History, but NOT taught as it was in school, and totally different periods. Firstly through novels and then through interesting text books. Archaeology, folk tales and myths, Botany, wildlife and nature, crafts and when I started work, I began to collect Antiquarian Horse Books. I even began to study English Literature - which I loathed in class as I just wanted to enjoy reading a book then, and not dissect it to understand it further. Then I discovered Thomas Hardy and have been hooked ever since, and likewise the Brontes and have many novels and biographies about them and TH. (Tam told me off for having 33 biographies about him and said this was FAR more than was necessary!) Anyway, I have been listening to a lovely programme about him first broadcast on Melvyn Bragg's In Our Time on a Thursday morning, back in January (on the computer link). I think I heard it then too, but no harm in listening again as I prepared tonight's (and tomorrow's) evening meal, and the cheat's chilli with Taco beans for Tam and I on Friday after we come in tired and late on Friday night after setting up at the Antiques Fair.
I try and learn something new every day and today it was about a designer called Adolf Loos, who died in 1933. He hated any embellishment and Art Nouveau was something he loathed with a passion, and he became an architect whose design influenced 20th C modern architecture. This came about by me going round the house looking for furniture we didn't use/need and when I was cleaning the little oak and leather fireside chair which lives in the hall and has a box of newspapers for recycyling usually sat on it, I found a Registered number on the back, and in researching it, came across MY chair on 1st Dibs (think of a number when it comes to the price put on stuff on there). Turns out it is a Secessionist style chair and was designed by Adolf Loos. Well . .. I shan't be pricing it at a 1st Dibs price, but it is definitely worth a good bit more than the £50 or so I had been going to ask! Etsy Ireland has one for £195 and so somewhere between my out-of-the-air price and that one will go with it. Here's a link anyway, in case you are interested: https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/armchairs/antique-fireside-chair-model-used-adolf-loos-vienna-1930s/id-f_15918372/
Now I am going to sit and relax as I haven't stopped all day. I probably won't be posting much until early next week because of being busy with the Fair.
I hope this did not publish more than once, it kept saying "problem publishing this comment." Here goes again. I totally relate to enjoying learning as adults and choosing our own paths and reading and studying what we like. How fascinating about the history of your chair, I would likely keep it now that its past is known. I discovered Anthony Trollope about five years ago and have read 30 of his 47 novels, being retired lets me find the time to read more. I have also been reading about Winston Churchill and admire him. Enjoy your meal.
ReplyDeleteWe'd keep the chair BUT no real room for it - and it is kept in the hall with a box on top of it! Best to let someone else enjoy it really. I read a few of Trollope's novels when we studied him on our Access course. You are certainly working your way through all his books.
DeleteWonderful post, I so related to what you said, my experience exactly with school and reading/ learning. I still collect nature guides and rad cover to cover. I do read for entertainment but have never returned to the classics of English Lit--despise Dickens!, but maybe Moby Dick won't be as awful the second time around?
ReplyDeleteDid you collect the horse books bec you were a horse person, an equestrian? Or just a random interest?
Right now I am reading the Lara Maiklem Mudlarker book--beachcombing , history, and memories/ stories. Perfect. Next is Legos Lost at Sea: Adrift, about a huge cargo lost, the tides and currents, etc.
I am a horsey person, hence the interest in antiquarian horse books - I have always been interested in the past, whatever it is connected to, but horse books still fascinate me.
DeleteI have delved into the Mudlarker book - must try and get back to it.
So well written and engrossing.
DeleteI love learning new things as an adult. Knowledge is a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing that you found that number so that you could look up your chair and discover it is worth more than you thought.
God bless.
A friend is VERY disparaging about Facebook and wouldn't use it because people on there are so horrible! Well, I get a lot of my new knowledge from groups I belong to on there (history and archaeology ones, and Genealogy) so she is the one missing out.
DeleteQuite amazed that our little chair was worth more than I thought - getting its value is another matter!
I had to look up Adolf Loos. Isn't the Internet wonderful? I remember the days when I'd browse the encyclopedia and reference books. I also disliked school. I was sent to very rigid schools and I wasn't good at conforming! But I loved reading and learning. Once I started university I was happy. It offered me freedom to explore. I hope your chair sells for the price you set. Enjoy the antique fair!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both Celie. He doesn't sound to have been a very pleasant man - contracted Syphalis in his 20s and doubtless shared that with a lot of women - and being a paedophile, children too, poor souls.
DeleteI agree with you, once I was doing my degree course in Archaeology I was totally engrossed and happy.
I can't say I had the same loathing for school as you seem to have had but I also never enjoyed it. I wasn't stupid, just rebellious, and in year 4 of grammar school the headmistress was a regular visitor to our home begging and pleading me to reconsider my decision not to go to university as I was “university material”. The only classes I truly enjoyed were Dom. Sci. and Art.
ReplyDeleteHowever, since leaving school I've gone on through night school in America and achieved a degree in Humanities, started but did not finish an Open University degree, and an HND in Fashion Design.
There you are - your headmistress would say you got there in the end! Glad you enjoyed studying the topics of your choice.
DeleteYes, lifelong learning - you are never to old to learn. I was lucky I think in that I had good experiences in Primary and Secondary school and at university - where I read English and European Literature. What a privilege to be able to read for four hours a day. Chair looks interesting. If you have a moment look up Greenham Makers - a young(ish) couple near here who buy, gently restore and sell old chairs from a barn on the Stopham estate. Hope you have a successful fair and great you have Tam along to do the heavy lifting. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteI loved University. The best part of any day was to go into the Library and be surrounded by knowledge - SO many books to study and learn. I will look up Greenham Makers. Good on them. When we first started with antiques, we used to buy "distressed" pieces of furniture from one auction, Keith would do them up, and we would sell them on at another auction. The country sales we went to were like something out of Lovejoy - lots of lovable rogues!
DeleteYour photo reminds me of the view from my bedroom window when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteBoth the header photo and the one used for this post, are side by side photos taken by the Upton turning, coming out of Malvern on Monday. You must have grown up in a lovely area Tom.
ReplyDeleteThat chair looks simple lines but comfortable
ReplyDeleteIt's very low to the ground, which goes against it, but beside the woodburner on a cold winter's night, it's perfect!
DeleteAnd there are so many rabbit holes to learn things down now!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness yes Simon. I can waste hours on the computer :) I always learn lots at Fairs when we walk round.
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