When children's books were cheap and plentiful

On one of my recent antique hunts in one of my favorite shops in New Hampshire (the Glass Knob in the Centre Harbour/ Moultonborough area), I found these little books for kids. They are called "LOLLIPOP BOOKS," and they were published in 1949 by "John Martin's House," James and Jonathan Co. out of Wisconsin. I was able to dig up this Time Magazine article from 1932 that gives some information about who John Martin was (at the time of the article, anyway, real name, Morgan Von Roorbach Shepard). According to the information I have so far, John Martin loved children, and published for them, including a magazine, but had no children of his own.

I love the period illustration along with the period ink palette. The "slightly-off-registration" print job adds to the charm.

I have a fondness for books like these. My own home library was what these books were all about for me:  inexpensive reads picked up on the fly for pennies-- Golden Books, Miss Francis Ding Dong School Books, and others of that vintage--read over and over again. Most of my books as a child cost all of about twenty-five cents a piece.  One can only wonder what each of these little books went for, though I would guess they were sold as a collection.

The size of these books makes them especially charming. They are roughly three by four inches each. I haven't taken the time to actually read them because I am so enamored with the design and feel of the lot of them, that I just want to hold the books and think about ways to design and decorate with them, maybe combined with some vintage fabrics and toys.

They practically fit into the palm of my hand. Perhaps I need  a miniature kid's room? It's hard not to wonder who owned these little books as a child. Did he/she love them?  Or did they get tossed into a dark place, only to resurface in 2009? I think the latter. There is some staining and surface wear, but the bindings are quite tight. I would venture a guess that these books were not read much.

I design retro fabrics using these bright process colors from the 40s and 50s whenever I can.  It would be nice to set up a display using the books, some vintage chotchkas, and fabrics--preferably my own. That will be next. One of the things I love is that items from earlier times go well together because of a much less sophisticated printing process along with fewer colors available. It is easy to set up theme displays using items from the same period. If I do, I will post those on Design Rocket.

Apparently this publisher also published  A Big Book For Little Folk, in 1919. I wonder if he billed this small collection  as Little Books for Big Folk?  Hey--I guess that would be I! In the meantime, I would love some more information about these books and this publisher. Email me if you can add something to this story.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Hi Barbara,
I stumbled upon your blog post while "googling" Lollipop books. I am a HUGE fan of these darling itty books as well, and this past weekend I went antique shopping and to my fabulous surprise found and purchased 9 of these precious books. It's nice to know that someone else besides me can appreciate the sweetness of them. I want to research more about the publisher and the man who created them. I wish more than anything they published timeless little classics like these. I am an assemblage artist that creates vintage inspired whimsical creations, and these darling little books have inspired me to want to write a childrens book that is similar to these these adorable short stories and 40's & 50's retro illustrations. :)
Your illustrations are beyond FABULOUS! Congrats on all the book publications!
Smiles,
Jennifer

[Barbara]

Jennifer,

Thank you for those lovely words about my art!

I am so happy you stumbled upon my blog,, because I checked out YOUR stuff and I checked YOUR wonderful blog and I see we are kindred spirits! I am looking forward to exploring your work and your blog even more tomorrow!

I had never heard of these wonderful little books until I came upon them in the shop. Are there very many different books? I would love to hear more about them.

Mind if I link to you blog from my Design Rocket blog?

barb

[marcia Lynch]

Dear Barb,
What fun!! May I come antiquing??!!
Happy Belated Bd!!
Lots of love,
Marcia

[Jamaica]

wow! thank you for the video, i already saw a good reveiw of this book on parkablogs.com and now you make me even more want this book!the illustrations are greatly detailled, too bad that i don't really like animation films by dreamworks, maybe it's the story, maybe the animation. but the studios do a really great job on concept art what i really appreciate!