It's an Old New England Custom ...

Yesterday, among a dozen or so items I was photographing for Joe's vintage shop on Etsy, I discovered this pretty little book and made the mistake of opening it. Thus ended the photo shoot.

It's an Old New England Custom by Edwin Valentine Mitchell was published in 1946 and, since Joe is listing it in his shop as I type, I'll post the link here rather than fill up this post with bibliographical details.

Instead, I'll celebrate some of the traditions of my adopted region, illustrated with drawings from Mitchell's book and finds from fellow Etsy sellers.

Since Halloween is just around the corner, I'll point out that it's an old New England custom to have haunted houses.

Now if there's anything in abundance in New England, it's trees. And a tree house can certainly be haunted, as twolefthands proves with her fetching Tree House Number 16.

And speaking of haunted ... It's an old New England custom to behold phantom ships.

No doubt those ships looked very much like this phantom, artistically photographed by ClydeKeller.

Keeping in the ... er, spirit of hauntings and phantoms and such, it's an old New England custom to thirst after strange gods.

Looking at this amazing vintage photo from the collection of maclancy, I can't help thinking whatever that lady has in mind the future doesn't look any too promising for the chicken.

To finish off our little pre-Halloween exploration of traditions, it's an old New England custom to excel in epitaphs.

And with the charming Love Grave by KCimagery, I'll ... er, lay these matters to rest.

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Old New England customs also include having pie for breakfast and serving turkey and cranberry sauce. I'll save those for another celebration.