Digital Collage, Photography, Palmistry art book design: the book of diversion

Welcome to David Bircham’s Silent Album Blog. Documenting my process of digital collage and the design of a book surrounding a Victorian hand-written manuscript on the art of palmistry. Images from my ephemera, object and photography collections.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Antique Doll Heads






I have acquired a few old doll's heads. The rougher looking the better for telling a story. Here are some from my collection. The collage Madonna has a couple of dolls included which relate so well to the antique photograph of the child.

Vatican Passport from 1837




I bought this amazing document in Florence. A Vatican passport from the time of Pope Gregory XVI (1765 – 1846). I have used a portion of this in the collage Dr. Henry Landor. The reverse side is equally as interesting with all the stamps and writing.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Sailors



Here are a couple more photographs from my Livingston collection. Check out the guy's camera.

Fishing Flies


Here is a page out of an old fishing manual. I love the rusted out staple holes.

Cafe

Glass Plate Images


Blast Off Photo Montage


My father took photos in the 60's of various space flights on television. Here is a simple montage using one of his photographs.

Indian Head Ephemera Collage

Here is another example of a collage using an interesting old photograph along with another old receipt, this one from 1911.

1920's Motorbike Photograph and Ephemera Collage



Another great image from the collection of negatives. You can see the photographer's shadow! And the photograph used in a collage called A.W. Sherwood, based on an old lumber receipt from 1914.

Model T Double Exposure


I was given a box of old B&W negatives by an antique dealer friend of mine. It is just a fantastic collection. The photos tell of a man who works on a steam ship, travels to various American ports and comes to Vancouver. Later, in there are photos of him and a woman in a small cabin up the coast with a dog. Amazing! In that collection was this double exposure of two women in a Model T.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Scapula

This antique glass plate had the perfect scratched texture to add the image of a scapula. I like the depth of field, which when combined with the glass, has a feeling of looking inside. Another experiment in finding a style for this collage book's design.

Possible Element for Fire Collage

I came across this great book illustration from an antiquarian french school book. It may be useful in the fire collage.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

First Illustration

Astrologer's Magazine - 1895

Thanks to Keith, I continued searching the Harvard University Library and found a Google digitized Volume 5, 1895 which has a section on palmistry. Not exactly a match but closer. This will definitely help when I start creating the collages for the book.

The Astrologer's Magazine - 1894


I'm so excited, my friend Keith at Pulp Fiction Books discovered that Google digitized a book from the library of Harvard University. The Astrologers' Magazine - 1894. "A book dealing solely with all branches of astral science". It is volume 4 and isn't a direct match for the manuscript I have, but it most likely dates mine from between the 1890's – 1900. Not in copyright!!! 
Google states: "Public domain books are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that’s often difficult to discover. Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book’s long journey from the publisher to a library and finally to you."
We will keep looking for the Palmistry issue. THANK YOU KEITH !!!!!

Of sudden death by Apoplexy, or the like.

Wrote to Daevid Allen - wooohooo

Today I received an email from Daevid Allen of Gong!!! Thanks to friend Thomas Anfield. 
Hi David,
Thank you! I have taken several breaths in your honour.
Sorry can't help with your extra-ordinary book.
Love to you & yours
& good luck with all projects.
Cheers
daevid

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Contacted Barbara Hodgson

I received an email from Barbara Hodgson today! Woohoo! I will show her some layouts when the project is further along.
Barbara Hodgson is a Vancouver-based book designer and writer. Her recent book, Trading in Memories, is a unique display of this consummate collector's passion for travel, design, illustration and writing.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Contacted Christies for information

Tonight I went to the antique roadshow website and found out that their expert in antique manuscripts works for Christies  http://christies.com/.

I sent in a request for a complimentary auction request to find out the value or any information on the book. I'll keep you posted.

Help needed to date the book


I am looking for someone who can help me date this book. It uses language which is old, but I have no idea how old. If you have any leads, please send me a comment. I'll keep you posted when I find out more...

Here is the opening page from the book. I would love to find out more about the author.

This Book of diversion is a copy of the astrologers magazine, which is a complete treatise of the art of Palmistry.
By the lines marks and character in the hand.
Allowed by the Egyptians, the learned Doctor's and Physicians, and by the greatest philosophers in the universe.
Published by act of Parliament in the act direct.
and sold by all book sellers and news-carriers in town and country.
who can have anything against it allowed and published as a love.
I study it for my own amusement, and to oblige a friend in a private line for nothing but good civility.