Happy Monday, my friends! You know how much I love a great deal, right? Well, you won’t believe what I scored recently at a consignment store! Three gorgeous Colen Campbell architectural prints! Come check them out!
If you are like me, you love to fill your home with unique and interesting pieces. Not only do I love beautiful vintage chandeliers and mirrors, but I also love art work! So, when I’m out shopping, be it a consignment or thrift store or antique store, I always keep an eye out for beautiful frames and art. A few months ago I was shopping at a local consignment store which was going out of business. Everything was 50% off! I spotted these three Colen Campbell architectural prints right away and I was instantly drawn to them. (Remember, if something speaks to you and it’s a great deal~buy it!) Aren’t they great?
I admit I had NO idea who Colen Campbell was when I bought the prints. But I love beautiful old architecture and anything in black and white. Plus, they were beautifully framed. They were originally listed for $38 each, which is still not a bad price, but at half off they were only $14 each. So, I bought them! Once home, I cleaned the frames and the glass then noticed there was a little damage on the corners of each frame. Nothing that a black permanent marker can’t fix! I touched them up and left them in my treasure room until this weekend…
Yesterday while my husband was out playing golf, I thought it was about time to hang these beauties! I decided to hang them to the left of the fireplace in our living room. Previously I had a mirror hanging over the Secretaire, but thought these prints would look perfect in its place. The spacing was a little tricky but after a few tries, I think I got it right! Beginning at the bottom and working up, I hung the first print so the bottom of the frame was about 13 inches from the top of the Secretaire. Then I spaced each print leaving 3 inches in between the frames. (I don’t mind that the vases and candelabra cover up just a tad of the bottom print.)
And here is how they look in the room! My only regret is by hanging them this high over a large piece, you can’t really appreciate the fine details and read the wording. However, I love how they look here!
My curiosity was peaked by the prints so I did a little investigative research. The prints are signed,
Ca: Campbell Delin: So, I googled it!
The prints were part of a collection done by a Scottish architect named Colen Campbell (June 15, 1676-September 13, 1729). (via Wikipedia) Apparently this is the golden haired Colen: (Photo credit alchetron.com)
Colen Campbell wrote his first book, Vitruvius Britannicus, or The British Architect, which was published in 1715. It was a collection of engravings of 100 famous buildings in Britain. (credit Wikipedia)
I’m not sure how old these prints are or how much they are worth but I always love digging into the past and trying to find out the history behind old found treasures. Obviously mine are not engravings and merely prints, but if they were, they would be worth a pretty penny! A set of 3 copper engravings sold for $1750!
For about $45 I bought a little slice of English history and had fun learning all about it! And boy, they really knew how to build things back in the day, didn’t they? Thank you, Mr. Campbell for these beautiful prints and I’m sorry you only lived to be 53. Rest assured my husband and I will love these prints for a long, long time.
By the way, I am publishing this on Sunday rather than Monday. Our Beyond Hosting~Host was bought out, and they are transitioning all of the data to the new host, so bear with me. My site may be down for a week. I hope not, but just in case, this is why! I’ll keep you posted, but you can still catch up with me on Facebook and Instagram @dellsdailydish.
Thank YOU for stopping by and following along with me as I document my DIY’s, crafts, cooking and home decor (and more!) Have a great day sweet friends! “Until we meet again, may the Good Lord take a liking to you!” (credit Roy Rogers) xoxo Dell
