SQUIRE WHIPPLE'S BOOK

One of the special books in the Bullis Collection is titled: An Essay on Bridge Building: containing analyses and comparisons of the principal plans in use: with investigations as to the best plans and proportions, and the relative merits of wood and iron for bridges, by Squire Whipple (Utica, NY: H. H. Curtis, 1847).

A visitor to the Bullis Room this last week stopped by to look at this book again. The book and its author are of interest to many local people because the Aldrich Change Bridge, which was rescued from abandonment and re-erected in Macedon and Palmyra's Aqueduct Park during 2003 and 2004, was originally built in 1858 from a design by Squire Whipple.

We're not sure how this book came to be a part of the Bullis Collection, but it is invaluable as a source of bridge building techniques. If you haven't visited Aqueduct Park recently and looked at the Aldrich Change Bridge, we encourage you to do so this summer. Thanks to Squire Whipple's knowledge and a group of local volunteer bridge enthusiasts, it's there for us to appreciate and enjoy.

AN EMBROIDERY CATALOG

Last week we told you about one of our latest acquisitions here in the Bullis Room--an embroidery guide. Along with that guide was another book with Nettie Bullis's name written at the top, titled Priscilla Embroidery Book. It was published by Priscilla Needlework Co., Boston, in 1914 and offered kits for making all sorts of articles.

Besides the usual pincushions and fancy bags were kits for corset cases, petticoat flounces, and baby clothes. An embroiderer could also purchase kits for men's gifts such as shaving pads, collar bags, necktie racks, and handkerchief cases. All of these kits came with a perforated pattern transfer or stamped linen.

For those wanting to learn new stitches, there were instructions for the: German Knot; Danish Italian, and Roman cut work; Balkan stitch; and Bulgaria stitch.

We wonder if Nettie Bullis ever placed an order from this catalog. And if so, which kit did she chose? Perhaps she just enjoyed reading the descriptions and imagining what the black-and white representations would look like in brighter colors. That's a good way for us to enjoy this book today. You're invited to stop by the room and take a look.

THE ARTS OF EMBROIDERY AND GROWING POPPIES

This past week we had one of those Christmas-morning surprises when a local resident delivered two paperback books bearing the handwritten name "Nettie A. Bullis" on the covers. Both books were on the subject of embroidery.

The Embroidery Guide by Helen Martin (published by Woman's Home Companion, Madison Square, New York City, 1910, Crowell Publishing Co.) is full of instructions for making stitches and patterns on decorative items for the home. Immediately, we honed in on a pattern titled, "A Round Between-Meals Centerpiece. A Graceful Arrangement of Poppies Done in Kensington Stitch in Natural Colors," designed by M. Hemingway and Sons Silk Co. (page 19).

Our imaginations shifted into full gear at the sight of the poppies, and we wondered if perhaps Nettie might have embroidered this design in honor of her brother Charlie's poppies. And then we went a step further and pictured the finished product on the Bullis dining room table, between meals, being removed when the table was set for Sunday dinner. This is all speculation, of course...but fun.

Still, we can say that artistic talent is required for both embroidering and growing poppies. Charlie Bullis's poppies that bloom every May are proof of his artistic talent. We have no sample of Nettie Bullis's needle work, but we feel safe in saying that her artistic talent manifested itself in that skill, as well, just as it did in other areas of her life.

Next week we'll tell you about the second book. In the meantime, if you'd like a closer look at the centerpiece in the above photo, please call the library and make arrangements to meet a volunteer in the Bullis Room. We'll be most happy to show both books to you.

WOW!

Thanks to all of you who entered our BULLIS BOOK REVIEW CONTEST. We're glad to know that so many of you share our interest in the books in this collection.

If you didn't enter our contest, you can still get some ideas for good summer reading from our Bullis Book Selection List. It includes authors Mark Twain, Robert Burns, Joel Chandler Harris, Zane Grey, Ernest T. Seton, James Baldwin, Elias Hicks, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Many of their books are in the PLS system and/or online for a free download. We suggest you treat yourself by reading (or re-reading) one of these great authors.

We're looking forward to reading the book reviews that are due to be submitted by August 13. And while we're waiting, we volunteers will be reading many of the books from the selection list. So...happy summer and happy reading.

BULLIS BOOK REVIEW CONTEST

REMINDER

Last day to sign up for the BULLIS BOOK REVIEW CONTEST

July 5

Call June Hamel at the Macedon Public Library

to arrange to come in, choose your book, and fill out an entry form.