One of my favorite towns, Solvang, was founded
by Danish immigrants in 1911. (If you love Scandinavia, I'm sure you can just imagine the decorations for their Julefest at Christmas time! And be sure and have some ebelskivers!!)
On Mission Drive you'll find The Book Loft...
and on the second floor of this bookstore is a little museum dedicated to the beloved Danish author of children's books, Hans Christian Andersen. [1805-1875.] Ironically I wrote this post yesterday, on his birth date, April 2!
The first thing you'll see as you ascend the stairs and pass all the fun bookshelves...
...is a huge bust of the famous author himself.
Many first and early additions of his books, poetry, and correspondence (written in his spidery script) are on display, as well as photographs of him, and examples of the delicate paper cut art he so loved.
In order to amuse his friends and their children Hans Christian Andersen made paper cuts. He was in fact a very popular paper cutter - see images here.
There is no immediate connection between his paper cuts and fairy tales, but Andersen used to accompany his paper cutting with fantastic tales, and he would present his finished work of art to his amazed listeners by unfolding the paper cut-out as he ended his tale!
I've enjoyed several visits to this bookstore museum over the years, and highly recommend it, if you ever find yourself in the Santa Ynez Valley of California! My next post will be about some other places my hubby and I enjoyed while we were there...
Eek! I want to go there! How lovely. I love Hans Christian Andersen.
ReplyDeleteHow CUUUUUUTE!!! I would love to see this little town. Hans Christian sure was an amazing guy, wasn't he? Not sure I could make an intricate paper cutting while telling a story to an audience. Now that's talent! Looking forward to coming along with more of your travels!
ReplyDeleteWow I had no idea that HCAmade paper cuttings!!quite beautiful and intricate!! I remember visiting the bookstore and museum both as a child and an adult, but don't remember ever seeing those. What a talented author and artist.
ReplyDeleteYes - I first discovered this about him when I did my post on silhouettes and paper cutting: http://goodbooksforyoungsouls.blogspot.com/2010/11/art-in-silhouette.html
DeleteI grew up visiting Solvang, this little bookstore being no exception! :)
ReplyDeleteAh - I didn't know you guys would go to Solvang! It's changed over the years, but I still love it! :)
DeleteIt does seem to have become more "commercial," but I still want to go again sometime!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that it's that much more commercial - but a lot of the little gift shops and bakeries/restuarants have changed to wine-tasting rooms. I guess it just seems a little less Danish that it used to!
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