Stone Books and Mennonite Cemeteries

Stone Books?

I must admit, I can't say that I'm a "keen observer" of all things cemetery, but perhaps I do take a special interest in gravestones and their most curious design. Something that caught my attention last year in some of the cemeteries of Chicago was the designs of books that were often engraved on old tombstones. Last summer I visited over half a dozen different cemeteries in the Chicago area, documenting various styles of tombs etched or designed with book-images. I photographed well over 100 stones. But there were so many that I hadn't had the time to organize and write about them, which I eventually hope to accomplish. But this past spring, I happened to be visiting a Mennonite cemetery in the Lancaster, PA region, and thought I'd snap a few photos, including these early stones above, which showed off some handcraft of stone carving.















The important and apropos aspects of this cemetery, though, are the tombs specifically engraved with images of books. These are not the most fancy book carving I've found since I started examining this motif, but it is interesting to see in contrast with other styles in this old Mennonite cemetery. Below, you can see the image of a farm on the stone.






























More stones above with images of books carved into them. Below, some older stones and the Kraybill meeting house. This isn't that far from the Susquehanna river region.





























Above and below we find two examples of book engravings. The one below is of an older couple, in their 80s when they died. Above, a sad reminder of the death of a child. In fact, it appears that this child died in birth...young Scott Bradley. "The Book of Life" as many of these books inscriptions are meant to symbolize. Requiescet in pace.

Printing and History of York

The History of American Printing

Some of my travels this year brought me to York, PA. I took a fine stroll down its lovely sidewalks, where I discovered various historical elements, including some vintage buildings and a police heritage museum. Unfortunately, most of these places were closed!





























But the main point of interest in York is (or accurately, "was") its printing history. I must apologize to my readers that I did have some photos of the historical signs describing this printing history...but alas, they were lost on my computer. So I no longer have them to show!
BUT...this image below shows these wee cute kids running down the street in front of where York's first printing shop was located, some two centuries ago. There isn't much left of the antique printing trade...but the streets are still lovely! Even if we didn't get to see any books, per se, on this trip, maybe some of you will have better luck if you visit! Now...off to more book finding!

Bible Outlet In Lancaster, PA

A Bible Outlet?

Indeed! This was the view I got from my car window, as I was driving by a strip mall in Lancaster County, PA. Perhaps not necessarily there to stock the Amish or Mennonites who live in the area, it was there nonetheless. Yes, a Bible Outlet. Not much more to be said. I'm sorry to say that I wasn't able to actually go into one of these places, as I was in traffic. Yes--with horses and buggies whizzing by me! One day, I promise, one day...I'll find my way into a Bible Outlet.

Book Art at the Regenstein Library

Some book art...

Back in the Spring on the campus of the University of Chicago, I spied this little pile of book art and decided to take some photos. I'm always curious about such displays of books in artistic rendering, and this did not disappoint! There was a large cardboard sign that explained the purpose of the art. The rest is for your eyes to discern, admire, and enjoy!

Books at the Tango Cafe

Books Made into Art...

This is but a mere observation, but at the Tango Cafe in Chicago, which I visited this spring, and where they have free Tango lessons at 3PM every afternoon on weekends, I discovered something interesting: books made into art. Specifically "door art." As you can see from these two images, the owners made the door look like a bookshelf! In fact, it was rather cleverly done. Some people turn books into doorstops, others...well, into "books." Though, in this case, their symbolic beauty was what was important! So go check it out. But more importantly, the Tango cafe offers free tango and some decent coffees and desserts. You'll have to pay for those. But it's worth it.

Books on Mars?

The Real Cheese

If you've ever driven north from Chicago to Milwaukee on Route 94, you've surely noticed the venerable Mars' Cheese Castle just off the Kenosha exit onto Route 142. If you HAVE missed it, look again! This has been a mainstay for decades now, and serves up one of, if not THE pride of Wisconsin: cheese! It's a store with many faces. You can get varieties of cheeses, cheese curds, and cheese heads (Wisconsinites know what I'm talking about). But you can get snacks of all types: sweet sugary candies, maple syrupy delights, chips, salsa, sausage snacks, and more. You can also get lunch or buy some souvenir.

Now the "books on Mars" part of our piece today refers to a stand of popular history books, which can be found in many Americana kitsch displays. See above, in front of the milk cow! Below, cheese heads and other "knick knacks."

My biblio-travels were paused momentarily to take in the local comestibles: liverwurst sandwich and yellow potato salad washed down with truckers' coffee--mmmmmmm! an American classic!

What else could one ask for!? So maybe the "bookishness" wasn't so grand here, but there was a slight hint of it for the kitsch-meister in me. But the rest of this store is a grand ol' place. And from what I hear, they're in the process of expanding into a far greater space, right behind the present location. So maybe some more books...? And certainly more cheese.

Books at a Polish Restaurant!

Szatas Restaurant in Chicago

I've been bringing my camera just about everywhere. And good thing, because I've been able to snap a few good photos here and there of not just interesting places, but books in interesting places! And this includes restaurants. I'd thought of doing a series on the blog about menus as a form of "book" or reading gadget, but never got around to it. But a few months back I came across a little nook of specialty items at this Polish Restaurant in Chicago, out near Midway Airport. Not only was the "nook" curiously interesting, but the whole restaurant itself was. In fact, I was drawn to the whole interesting design of the place from its external appearance of an Alpine lodge! There are a handful (or maybe more!) Polish restaurants out on Cermack and Cicero and Pulaski Avenues. This one seemed the most colorful, so I thought I'd try it out one evening for dinner.

Inside had decorations from stuffed heads of wild deer to oversized beer and spirits keg-fronts decorated with national dress. They even had a mid-19th century wagon suspended from the ceiling!

Of course my curiosity came with the little handcrafts and the coterie of Polish books stuffed into the corner! How could I let this opportunity pass?

Hand-written signs in Polish, as well as (my blurry photo of...) images of Pope John Paul II, the modern Polish Pope, who is being pushed into that crowded room of sainthood, adorning the walls of the restaurant!

Of course, I've managed to do this in reverse, but that makes it more interesting. When one enters the restaurant, you are met by a medieval door and a sign that reads "Please Pull the Rope." The rope is attached to another rope and that is attached to a length of tin-bells that sound like cows coming up the hill when rung! After a few moments, a man dressed like a 14th century peasant opens and lets you in! They've always said Chicago was a political city, but this surely gives new meaning to "pulling strings!"