The Little Toy Bookmobile

I have to admit, this charming toy bookmobile is way cuter than even the Penguin Bookmobile I posted below. All that it's missing is a license plate that reads ABC. This Children Books Service Car (Yes, children, don't spell like this at home!) was spotted on eBay back in 2008 by Benjamin Clark of the wonderful Exile Bibliophile. He claims this toy library on wheels eventually closed at $710 by the end of the auction. And worth every dime! It was made in Japan, probably for the American market, and the seller pegged it from the 1950s. The condition of the box and the bookmobile is incredible considering its' 60 plus years of age. They just don't make toys like this anymore, with such charm and character and peculiarity. The little girl on the side of the truck looks absolutely terrified of the two books in front of her, Tom Sawyer and Anne (of Green Gables?). She's probably thinking, "See children run. Run children, run. Run away quickly. Here comes Mr. Bookmobile!"

Better Than the Ice Cream Man

It's the adorable Penguin Bookmobile circa 1937, introduced just 2 years after Allen Lane popularized paperback book publishing after launching Penguin Books. This same year Lane also invented the Penguincubator, a book-dispensing machine which made its' first appearance at 66 Charing Cross Road.
:: Via TYWKIWDBI (Tai-Wiki-Widbee). 

The Greenwich Library Bookmobile circa 1940.
:: Via Flickr

Boston Public Library Bookmobile circa 1963.
:: Via Flickr

The Biblioburro Bookmobile in La Gloria, Columbia began in the late 90s by teacher, Luis Soriano on the backs of his two burros, Alfa and Beto and with just 70 books. With the aid of donations, he has since built his own library by hand and now has 1000s of books to share with Columbian children. Soriano is an amazing soul and educating young children has become his life work. There is even a children's book published about him and his burros, titled Biblioburro by Jeanette Winter. You can read more about his heroic quest in a New York Times article and make donations at the Biblioburro Foundation website.

:: Photos below from Scott Dalton for the New York Times.

A Busy Mind

Cartoons from the fine hand work and mind of Tom Gauld in the UK. Gauld illustrates a weekly cartoon for the Guardian newspaper and seems to have a thing for type, books and robots. Although this last cartoon is not related to any of the above, I just couldn't help myself. Really fun stuff : D
:: Via the always wonderful It's Nice That.

Illustrations With Lettering

Hand lettering often can make great company to hand-rendered illustration. The work of the 3 distinguished illustrators below brilliantly demonstrate this—each with their own distinct manner.

 

The work of Emmanuel Polanco above.

The work of Martin Haake above. 

The work of Christian Northeast above.

Linotype: The Film Interview Excerpts

"Linotype: The Film" Interview Excerpts from Linotype: The Film on Vimeo.

In honor of the 125th anniversary of the Linotype (July 3rd, 1886) the producers of Linotype: The Film have released a few teaser excerpts of interview footage.http://vimeo.com/15032988

Lay on Ground Light Fuse and Retire Quickly

 

I will admit I am not the least bit fond of firework's noise, however I am easily amused with old firecracker labels. Especially like the sort of treasures you see above, with the mis-registered printing, odd little drawings of children and animals, circus clowns, goofy names and funky typography. It doesn't get any better than the PS, Po Sing Factory label at top. The PS should stand for Pretty Sweet! And don't forget—lay on ground, light fuse and retire most quickly. Happy 4th!
:: Top 7 labels belong to Exposur3 Flickrstream. The rest belong to Mr. Firecracker.

The History of Fireworks at a Glance

Pyrotechnics: A History of Fireworks by Captain Alan St. Hill Brock.
:: From The Fireworks Virtual Museum in Plymouth, England.

Above: The Standard display fireworks team from Jubilee Fireworks.  

The Unexcelled Fireworks Company brochure from 1887 featuring a huge range of fireworks and novelty products, including the amazing Fireworks balloons. The Bogardus shells were manufactured to be fired from shotguns and were, in effect, miniature shells.
:: From Jubilee Fireworks

May the 4th be With You

Pyrotechnists is such a great word for people who work with fire.
By that same token, I suppose people who work with type could be called typotechnists?
       I'm not certain if this image is from an ad, poster, or a broadside, but it is curious they advertise their fire works exhibitions can be had on short notice. After some quick googling I learned they once killed a woman at one of their exhibitions in 1856 after a "mis-directed flight of rockets". When asked by a friend how the event went, Sanderson replied "All right, but we killed one woman," as though it was of little consequence. A few months later, the city of Charlestown where the event was held, later settled with the woman's husband for $1000. Soon after, he married again. Well that's a cheery 4th of July story!
       It's the beginning of a long, sunny weekend here. Hope the same for all of you!
:: Sanderson & Lanergan print from the Library of Congress digital archives.

Read! Read! Read! Read! Read! Read!

In early 1971, a city librarian in the town of Troy, Michigan wrote to dozens of actors, authors, artists, politicians, writers and musicians and asked them to write a letter to the children of Troy about the importance of libraries and books. These 3 letters above were among 97 letters she received in reply. Read the full story here. As usual, these images are always clickable.
:: From the Troy Library Flickrstream.