Thursday, April 23, 2009

Vintage Thursday Thingie: A Vintage Adventure Book: TOM SWIFT and His Rocket Ship

Earlier this week, I set out to do some errands-one of which was to go to our local public library and exhange my books. When we (DH had his errand list too) got there, there was this big, long table piled high with books that the library was getting rid of: all were priced 5 shekels or $1.25 and there on the far left corner, almost falling off the table was this little vintage treasure! This is the third adventure in the New Tom Swift Jr. Adventures with a copyright of 1954, the year that the Tom Swift Jr series began...but this book was not produced that year -those books have blue spines, this has a yellow spine so it has to be no earlier than 1955.



Who was Victor Appleton II? The son of the writer Victor Appleton, the author of the original Tom Swift series? No, of course not but I do appreciate the cleverness of the publishers-the Stratemeyer Syndicate! It seems most of the series was written by James Duncan Lawrence.



This is illustration was used for both the front and back flyleafs. There's Tom not in his space ship but in his flying laboratory.


Here Tom is in the space ship: doing a very urgent repair!

You may have guessed: as soon as I got home, I read this book! I loved it! The science may be a little out-of-date but then it is science fiction!


When it came to juvenile fiction, I was more a Sue Barton kind of girl, so I enjoyed my first Tom Swift adventure. Would I recommend it to a kid today? Definitely...its a rip-roaring adventure! (and they would get to tell all about how silly some of the science is...there are communications from beings from outer space-maybe Mars! and ask "What are cathode tubes?" What fun!)


Here are Tom and his friend Bud racing to check on the rocket...the security alarm went off...saboteurs!


So remember, Support Your Local Library in 2009 and it just may support you in unexpected ways.


For more Vintage Treasures, visit Coloradolady-just click on the button!

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18 comments:

Unknown said...

What a fabulous find! I just love the illustrations in those old books.

Susan said...

When it came to series books I read Nancy Drew but grew to love science fiction. In school books like Tom Swift were very popular.

ClassyChassy said...

Love old books! Such cool pictures in them!

Sarah said...

Old books offer such wonderful illustrations not to mention the kid friendly stories!

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

like other girls, I love old books too especially when one came with pretty pictures in it.. Happy VTT

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Don't you just love it when you stumble across such a treasure! I love our library. So many wonderful FREE resources!

Gari in AL said...

If you lived at my house you would be surrounded by 1940s and 1050s B Western "stuff." My DH would be in 7th heaven if our library was selling off those great books.

Postcardy said...

My local library has a used bookstore for withdrawn and donated books. I buy LOTS of books there and donate some of my books there too. I even give them as gifts (usually after reading them myself)!

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

I love old books. The illustrations are like pieces of art ;0)
What a great find!

Julie said...

My little nephew would love this series. I need to be on the look out for some. :) Julie

CC said...

These older books are wonderful..you have a little treasure there. Happy VTT and have a lovely weekend.

Anonymous said...

Aw Miri, what a find! I never knew Tom Swift books but it looks fabulous and you know what?
I can just feel those bookcovers in my hands...you know, bumpy books.
The illustrations are amazing, you lucky girl!

Protector of Vintage said...

What a great "find!" I love collecting vintage books. Have a great day!

Bea said...

What a great find, Miri. Love those pictures.

Coloradolady said...

What a cute book. Imagine finding that for sale at the library. Good job! Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

i love it..those old books are priceless :)

Ulla said...

Great find! I used to read all the boys' books too, they were more exciting than books for girls.

Philippa said...

What a treasure. So glad I've found your blog too. I hadn't caught up with Vintage Thursday so am off to investigate - sounds like just my thing!

PS - I was of course a Pippi Longstocking fan and was given all the books by a favourite aunt, but then how could I not be! I used to dream that I had adventures just like her.