Judging a Book by Its Cover. . . .

This hand-painted suede book cover was a souvenir of Atlantic City, New Jersey. These suede souvenirs were apparently quite a fad for a time, because I have come across examples commemorating other vacation destinations, all having the same basic construction, but different painted decorations suitable to the tourist site, as well as photo and postcard albums. This book cover is 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches and considering its wonderful condition, apparently did not spend too much time in the sand and sun at the shore. The owner's initials are gracefully stamped on the upper corner.

It is not only the book inside that may beguile, because the cover features a lithe and lovely bathing beauty seated by the sea and shaded by her big green parasol.

Inside is an attached bookmark, with a rather fortune-cookie motto and the date "1928."

Take my hand. . .

I'm a stranger in Paradise

All lost in a wonderland

A stranger in paradise

If I stand starry eyed,

That's a danger in Paradise

For mortals who stand beside

An angel like you

Kismet, 1953

The way these two starry-eyed, if under-clad, lovers look into each others' eyes, they are clearly in Paradise. This very scarce double half-doll is from the German company of Fasold and Stauch. This piece is 3.5 inches tall and wide and is incised "10217" on the back of the base. The fingers on the lovely lady's right hand have been repaired (the long graceful hands and slender fingers on Fasold's half-dolls and bathing beauties are unfortunately very susceptible to damage), but this piece is so rare and unusual (plus extraordinarily beautiful) that I chose to overlook the repairs. After all, with Hunky McStudmuffin there, who is looking at fingertips?