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1953 Santa Visits Mother Goose, Children's Christmas Pop-Up Book

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:05:58 -0700

Published by the White Plains Greeting Card Corp. in 1953, this fabulous blast from the past is a collage of Mother Goose nursery rhymes, presented in storybook form.

I found this spiral softcover book still tucked away in its original box, looking as though it had never even been opened. It wasn't until I got halfway through the book that I discovered two pages that, as best I can tell, originally hosted a Red Hot stuck together, presumably the result of time and a bit of humidity. The only other notable issue can be found on the following page, where Miss Muffet and Jack jumping over the candlestick seem to have something a bit sticky on the pages and Jack's groin. It may be that someone skilled in paper restoration can carefully steam or otherwise "unstick" the two pages, as well as clean part of Miss Muffet and Jack's minor mess.

As for the rest of the fabulous pages, open the front cover and you're immediately greeted by Rudolph and the rest of the gang, along with Santa on a sleigh heavy with gifts. The next page shows Santa sitting in a chair, reading a letter he's received from Mother Goose to his Brownie helpers. From there, we are delighted with a glimpse of: Hickory Dickory Dock clock, the dish who ran away with the spoon (with a real plastic spoon included), Humpty Dumpty atop the wall, a real Plastic Patch Band-Aid affixed to his head. Next, we're greeted by "four and twenty blackbirds" popping out of the King's pie. It is then that we momentarily stumble on the Queen of Hearts who apparently decided years ago that she cared not to share her Red Hots (or whatever the stuck candy there might be). Turn the page and we resume the visual delight with Miss Muffet and Jack, slightly marred as mentioned before, followed by Mother Hubbard and her cupboard. Trip along to find the three wise men of Gotham in a sail boat, with a real toy parachute serving as the sail, followed by a young lad heading off to market with a 3D pig in his wheelbarrow. That page cleverly transitions to the next, offering the story of the three little pigs. As we near the book end, we find Little Bo-Peep and Little Boy Blue, who is blowing a real toy horn. On the last page and back inside cover is Mother Goose thanking Santa for all that he brought, with a fold-out mini booklet of Mother Goose tales.

Other than the pages with the Queen of Hearts, all of the pop-ups and featured add-ons are present and accounting for, working as they should. I've photographed all pages, as well as the front and back cover and box lid, but as Ruby Lane listings can only accommodate nine photos, you won't find all of the photos here. If you'd like to view the additional pages, feel free to email me, and I'll be happy to send them on.

1928 Foolish Fox Children's Wee Book for Wee Folks

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:19:27 -0700

The Foolish Fox is an Altemus Wee Book for Wee Folks (children's fairly tale book), with 21 illustrations by John Rea Neill.� First published in 1904 by Henry Altemus Company, this is a later version of that publication (1928-1929), according to a website devoted to the company's work.�

Measuring 5-1/2" high with 92 numbered pages, this children's book shows some wear at the base of the spine and corners, with the names of the original owners handwritten on the inside cover.� The back and back inside cover, as well as two pages (86-87), show a moderate amount of blue color crayon scribblings.� Otherwise, the general condition of this book is commensurate with its age.

This children's tale strikes me as being one that nightmares are made from, and features Redlegs, The Foolish Fox, and the eldest from a family of fox who went in search of the Lion, King of the Land of Fourlegs.� Falsely accused of the misdoings of his brothers, Redlegs was repeatedly maimed, with his ears, tail, eyes, and teeth removed at each charge of wrongdoing.� Redlegs is then abandoned by his brothers, but later pieced back together with the aid of others -- with eyes found by a mole, a bushy tail found by a frog, ears surrendered by a donkey, and large teeth found by a cat.�

Once again strong and whole, Redlegs goes in search of and finds his brothers, who are preparing to return to the Land of Fourlegs, where the Lion seeks a wise counsellor. (The King's Prime Minister had died, and who is wiser than a fox?)� However, at the dismay of Redlegs' brothers, it is Redlegs who is chosen by the King to protect and grow his riches and later chosen by the� Land of Fourlegs animals to succeed and rule as King.

1939 Baum Patchwork Girl of Oz, Junior Edition Children's Book

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:16:57 -0700

One of a number of abridged editions of Oz books I have available by L. Frank Baum, this is the 1939 Junior edition of The Patchwork Girl of Oz, published especially for children. With a total of 62 numbered pages, a child could delight in the imaginative storyline accompanied by 10 pages of color illustrations of the Patchwork Girl, Ojo, scarecrow, and wizard, and a number of other drawings in black and white. The last (unnumbered) page of the book shows a bottom notation of CS 6-39, indicating a 1939 midyear printing.

This book was obviously read and loved, but is still in very good condition at 70 years of age. The cover and its corners are a bit worn, but not terribly so. All pages are present, with no tears or stains, and the front inside cover has a dated inscription from 1939 confirming this was a birthday gift "from Grandmother".

Published by Rand McNally & Company, through a special arrangement with Reilly & Lee, the publishers of the complete edition.

Interested in any of the other Oz books I have available? I'm always happy to combine shipping.

1909 All That's Love-ly, Suede Bound Poetry Book - S.F. Woolard

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:16:41 -0700

This antique "bundle of sweet thoughts" is a compilation brought to the reader by Samuel Francis Woolard in 1907, a soft-bound book of All That's Lovely - the poetry of love, definitions of that universal emotion written and submitted by numerous contributors.� The initial pages offer up the winning submissions, all varying in length, style, and emotional perspective.

"Love is the divine reason for our strange existence, the mainspring of our best endeavor, and the measure of supreme reward." -- Florence Snow, Neosho Falls, Kansas

"The ability to see the beautiful others miss, to miss the evil others witness, to render the service which only springs from pure good will." -- Edward Campbell Little, Abilene, Kansas

"One half, the finest half, of life is hidden from the man who does not love with passion."� Henri Beyle

The inner cover is a color plate etching by E. Davidson of a young woman resembling a Gibson girl.

The suede-bound book measures 8-3/4" x 5" and carries a second copyright of 1909 of the Goldsmith-Woolard Publishing Company.� The suede ribbon tie that binds the book is gradually flaking away with age, and the outermost pages, front and back, show light foxing.� The suede cover appears to have absorbed some of the green color from the inner fabric lining.� Overall, in good condition.� 61 pages.

1939 The Road To Oz, Junior Edition Children's Book Frank Baum

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 08:12:36 -0700

One of a number of abridged editions of Oz books I have available by L. Frank Baum, this is the 1939 Junior edition of The Road To Oz, published especially for children. With a total of 62 numbered pages, a child could delight in the imaginative storyline accompanied by 12 pages of color illustrations of Dorothy, the wizard, lion, even an appearance by Santa Claus! and a number of other drawings in black and white. The last (unnumbered) page of the book shows a bottom notation of CS 6-39, indicating a 1939 midyear printing.

This book was obviously read and loved, but is still in very good condition at 70 years of age. The cover and its corners are worn, and there is a short buckling at the top of the pages near the spine (it looks as though something thin and/or sharp jabbed in between the covers), but all pages are present and generally in very good condition. The front inside cover has a dated inscription from 1939 confirming this was a birthday gift "from Mother".

Published by Rand McNally & Company, through a special arrangement with Reilly & Lee, the publishers of the complete edition.

Interested in any of the other Oz books I have available? I'm always happy to combine shipping.

1939 Scarecrow & Tin Woodman Of Oz, Junior Edition Children Book

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 08:00:30 -0700

One of a number of abridged editions of Oz books I have available by L. Frank Baum, this is the 1939 Junior edition of The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman Of Oz, published especially for children. With a total of 64 numbered pages, a child could delight in the imaginative storyline accompanied by 16 pages of color illustrations (four of which are found in two two-page spreads), as well as other drawings in black and white. The copyright page shows a bottom notation of CS 3-39, indicating a 1939 spring printing.

This book was obviously read and loved, but is still in very good condition at 70 years of age. The cover and its corners are worn, but all pages are present and generally in very good condition. The front inside cover has a young cursive handwritten name of what I suspect was the original owner.

Published by Rand McNally & Company, through a special arrangement with Reilly & Lee, the publishers of the complete edition.

Interested in any of the other Oz books I have available? I'm always happy to combine shipping.

1939 Rinkitink In Oz, Junior Edition Children's Book Frank Baum

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 07:55:22 -0700

One of a number of abridged editions of Oz books I have available by L. Frank Baum, this is the 1939 Junior edition of Rinkitink In Oz, published especially for children. With a total of 62 numbered pages, a child could delight in the imaginative storyline accompanied by 12 pages of color illustrations, as well as other drawings in black and white. The last (unnumbered) page of the book shows a bottom notation of CS 6-39, indicating a 1939 midyear printing.

Published by Rand McNally & Company, through a special arrangement with Reilly & Lee, the publishers of the complete edition.

Interested in any of the other Oz books I have available? I'm always happy to combine shipping.

1939 Lost Princess Of Oz, Junior Edition Children's Book Baum

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 07:54:46 -0700

One of a number of abridged editions of Oz books I have available by L. Frank Baum, this is the 1939 Junior edition of The Lost Princess Of Oz, published especially for children. With a total of 62 numbered pages, a child could delight in the imaginative storyline accompanied by 12 pages of color illustrations of Ozma, Frogman, Dorothy and Toto, the scarecrow, wizard, as well as other drawings in black and white. The last (unnumbered) page of the book shows a bottom notation of CS 6-39, indicating a 1939 midyear printing.

This book was obviously read and loved, but is still in very good condition at 70 years of age. The cover and its corners are worn, but all pages are present and generally in very good condition. The front inside cover has a dated inscription from 1939 confirming this was a birthday gift "from Mother".

Published by Rand McNally & Company, through a special arrangement with Reilly & Lee, the publishers of the complete edition.

Interested in any of the other Oz books I have available? I'm always happy to combine shipping.

1939 Little Dorothy and Toto of Oz, Jr Edition Children's Book

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 07:54:20 -0700

One of a number of abridged editions of Oz books I have available by L. Frank Baum, this is the 1939 Junior edition of Little Dorothy and Toto of Oz, published especially for children. With a total of 61 numbered pages, this book actually provides two stories about some of the favorite characters who lived in the Land of Oz.

There are 16 pages providing color illustrations, with two of the pages face-to-face. The copyright page shows this as an 1939 edition, with a bottom notation of CS 3-39, indicating a 1939 spring printing.

This book was obviously read and loved, but is still in very good condition at 70 years of age. The cover and its corners are worn, but all pages are present, with no tears or stains, and the front inside cover a young cursive handwritten name of what I suspect was the original owner.

Published by Rand McNally & Company, through a special arrangement with Reilly & Lee, the publishers of the complete edition.

Interested in any of the other Oz books I have available? I'm always happy to combine shipping.

1939 Emerald City of Oz, Junior Edition Children Book - Baum

AlleyAdmin@flashbackalley.com (Holly) — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 07:53:55 -0700

One of a number of abridged editions of Oz books I have available by L. Frank Baum, this is the 1939 Junior edition of The Emerald City of Oz, published especially for children. With a total of 62 numbered pages, a child could delight in the imaginative storyline accompanied by 12 pages of color illustrations of Dorothy, the wizard, scarecrow, or lion, and a number of other drawings in black and white. The last (unnumbered) page of the book shows a bottom notation of CS 6-39, indicating a 1939 midyear printing.

This book was obviously read and loved, but is still in very good condition at 70 years of age. The corners of the cover are worn, with the top, back corner of the binding edge showing the most wear. All pages are present, with no tears or stains, and the front inside cover has a dated inscription from 1939 confirming this was a birthday gift "from Grandmother".

Published by Rand McNally & Company, through a special arrangement with Reilly & Lee, the publishers of the complete edition.

Interested in any of the other Oz books I have available? I'm always happy to combine shipping.