Shana Novak’s The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell will make you think. Is there something you or your family treasures that tells a story, the story of your family? Each item pictured in this book is special to the person who owns it.
Novak photographed all one hundred items in this book, but she has heirlooms of her own, china, crystal and sterling silver inherited from her grandmother. And, she uses them. Her command? “Use the heirlooms!” That’s why her grandmother gave them to her. She knew Novak would live with these heirlooms, “knowing their special story, and enjoying them in my own way.”
Novak says “Photographing other people’s treasures brought me a lot of joy.” And, while doing that, she realizes “An heirloom can be anything as long as it tells your story.”
Gloria Steinem’s book collection kicks off the book. There’s a picture of her book ladder and part of her collection, including books by friends. In fact, she bought her current home because she’d finally have room for her books.
Tiana Santore’s father was a fireman. He died on 9/11. But, years later she found a Magic Doodle (it looks like an Etch-a-Sketch), and he left a final message for her. Katie Anne Lester’s daughter, Bennett, had a collection of items that meant something to the child. She died at age four, and her mother is terrified of losing that collection. But, having it photographed meant it would still be there.
Not all the stories are sad ones. Some are romantic and memorable. Martha Palan has a boarding pass that changed her life because of the man who sat next to her. Sara Elsasser’s romance involved an interoffice envelope.
Gretchen Evans’ account is of strength, exemplified by a service dog’s gear. And, there are other stories of strength and resilience.
Think about it. The Heirloomist might just make you remember one item that has been important to you or your family.
The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell by Shana Novak. Chronicle Books, 2024. ISBN 9781797224404 (hardcover), 256p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book.
Just reading this post made me think about what I’d pick from among all the different little objects I’ve inherited from my parents and grandparents as a meaningful heirloom for emotional reasons. There are some small china flowers–roses, pansies, and carnations in a little bunch–that used to belong to my great-aunt. All I have to do is look at them, and I can see her in my mind’s eye and hear her voice.
It does make you think about what you’d pick, doesn’t it, Kim? I like the book for that reason.
I have an old leather suitcase of letters that my parents wrote to each other in WWII, and two of my mother’s diaries, one is dated 1937. an some lace that my father’s mother made and a some antique books. Holding on to them.
Oh, Carol. What beautiful treasures! I’m so glad you have those.