Raphia and Reed Weaving

A practical course for primary and elementary schools, RAPHIA AND REED WEAVING Elizabeth Sanborn Knapp was published in 1920 by Milton Bradley, Springfield MA. The 132-page hardbound book features figures throughout that accompany the text in construction of dozens of projects.

Weaving technique is taught, starting with construction paper, then to cardboard and raphia and reeds. Following the third year of study, says the text, the boy is eager and well-fitted to take up bench work, and the girl to be initiated into the cutting and marking of dolls’ garments.

The book is in Good condition, although ex lib with the usual library markings. The covers show edge/corner/spine end wear. The spine is somewhat discolored. Inside pages show some edge wear, but are complete, readable and utterly fascinating! (6220)

We see many reprints and 'print on demand' books for sale these days ... but we believe it's difficult in most instances to do better than the original version! Pages are where they should be ... and the photos and other illustrations are always included in the books we sell. Some of our books are ex lib (withdrawn from a library), but unless otherwise noted in our descriptions, these have no library-related damage beyond the usual library markings and card pockets. This book is one of those ORIGINALS! IT'S NOT A REPRINT!

Circa: 1920
Condition: Used
Type: hardbound
Manufacturer: Milton Bradley Co.
Author: Knapp
Pages: 132  

Vocational Education Planning, Policies

We see many reprints and 'print on demand' books for sale these days ... but we believe it's difficult in most instances to do better than the original version! Pages are where they should be ... and the photos and other illustrations are always included in the books we sell. Some of our books are ex lib (withdrawn from a library), but unless otherwise noted in our descriptions, these have no library-related damage beyond the usual library markings and card pockets. This book is one of those originals! IT'S NOT A REPRINT!

Published by Praeger, New York, in cooperation with the National Planning Association, EVALUATING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION – POLICIES AND PLANS FOR THE 1970S is a 195-page hardbound book written by Leonard A. Lecht.

Noting controversy concerning the role, adequacy, and objectives of vocational education, the author says much of this questioning arises from changes in society and from the need of the educational system to define responses to these changes. While still an educational program, vocational education had also taken on aspects of a manpower and social program.

The 1963 Vocational Education Act and its 1968 amendments assigned a high priority to vocational education as ‘a program for meeting the nation’s manpower needs and increasing economic opportunity for the disadvantaged and the handicapped.’ This report summarized the implications of research for national policy in vocational education.

The book is in Very Good condition, although ex lib with the usual library markings. There is minor scuffing and some edge/corner/spine end wear to the covers. Inside pages are without apparent defects. (5948)


Circa: 1974
Condition: Very Good
Type: Hardbound
Publisher: Praeger
Author: Leonard A. Lecht
Pages: 195
ISBN: 0275288366  

1907 Auxiliary Schools of Germany

We see many reprints and 'print on demand' books for sale these days ... but we believe it's difficult in most instances to do better than the original version! Pages are where they should be ... and the photos and other illustrations are always included in the books we sell. Some of our books are ex lib (withdrawn from a library), but unless otherwise noted in our descriptions, these have no library-related damage beyond the usual library markings and card pockets. This book is one of those originals! IT'S NOT A REPRINT!

Education of special needs children seems to have been a topic of concern to educational specialists in the early 1900s, as this wonderful vintage book describes The Auxiliary Schools of Germany. Based on six lectures by B. Maennel, rector of the Mittelschule in Halle a. d. Saale, the book was translated by Fletcher Dresslar, University of California, and published in 1907 by the U.S. Bureau of Education, Washington.

In its 135+ pages are very specific details on the beginnings of auxiliary schools in Halle, Kern, Stotzner, Berlin and other industrialized German cities, as well as the history of special provisions for weakly endowed children in the remainder of Europe and in the U.S. Reasons for the establishment of auxiliary schools are detailed, including folk schools, the fate of students who don't make progress, and how the dregs of the folk school are characterized.

Signs of the abnormal development of pupils are described, as are various admissions procedures for the auxiliary schools. Further chapter-long topics include parents and environment of auxiliary school pupils; health conditions of the pupils; characteristics of the auxiliary pupils; design of buildings for auxiliary schools; class sizes; daily schedules; curriculum; methods of instruction; discipline in the schools; community, state and church in their relation to the auxiliary school; teachers and principals of these schools; and the pedagogical significance of the auxiliary schools.

The book has a complete index, as well as extensive bibliography for further reference. It is in VERY GOOD condition in its hardbound covers, with only very minor edge/corner wear on them. Inside the pages are slightly yellowed, but still very readable and clean. The original soft cover of the book is coming loose from the binding, but is still present and intact. There are some library markings on the ex lib book, but few that interfere at all with the book's integrity. It's an interesting one!


Circa: 1907
Condition: Used
Type: Softcover
Publisher: Government Printing Office
Author: Maennel, B.
Pages: 137  

Handwork and Its Place in Early Education
We see many reprints and 'print on demand' books for sale these days ... but we believe it's difficult in most instances to do better than the original version! Pages are where they should be ... and the photos and other illustrations are always included in the books we sell. Some of our books are ex lib (withdrawn from a library), but unless otherwise noted in our descriptions, these have no library-related damage beyond the usual library markings and card pockets. This book is one of those originals! IT'S NOT A REPRINT!

Written by Laura L. Plaisted of the Hingley Training College, Yorks, England, Handwork and Its Place in Early Education was published in 1913 by the Clarendon Press, Oxford. Projects described and illustrated here include paper, woodwork, basketry, pottery and needlework ... hundreds of inventive ideas for small children.

The 327-page hardbound book, quite difficult to find in today's marketplace, features 200 photos/illustrations of projects.

It is Ex Lib with the usual library markings, yet in Very Good condition. There is a small cut on spine; slight scuffs and minor edge/corner/spine end wear to the covers. (4042)


Circa: 1913
Condition: Very Good
Type: Hardbound
Publisher: Clarendon Press
Author: Laura L. Plaisted
Pages: 327  

The Junior Republic, Experimental School

In his introduction to THE JUNIOR REPUBLIC: ITS HISTORY AND IDEALS, Thomas M. Osborne notes: it is a manufactory of citizens … and the result is an infinite variety that produces in the wise observer a very healthy modesty … it’s a laboratory experiment in Democracy … and just as in the newer methods of teaching it has been found that the best way to learn a thing is by doing it – so one can really learn how to be a citizen by being a citizen, can learn to bear responsibility only be bearing responsibility … and social responsibility, which is citizenship, should be a part of every school and college curriculum.


From that point, author William R. George, who founded his Junior Republic School, leads the reader through its structure, aims and successes. He tells how the school came about; his philosophy of ‘nothing without labor; the school’s use of trial by jury; the unfolding of the Republic idea; girls as citizens; a visit to the Republic; industries of the Republic; the Republic homes; Citizen government; and methods of starting a Republic. It’s a fascinating story – and a school that went far beyond the 3 Rs to teach children how to live in their world.


The 326-page hardbound book was published in 1909 by D. Appleton Co., New York. It features some wonderful black/white photos (citizens digging a ditch, in the carpenter shop, a scene in court, the Junior Republic at Freeville, in the printing office, the court house and jail, steel cages in the jail), as well as illustrations of legal papers used in the Republic (a check on the Citizen’s Bank, form of search warrant, bond given for appearance of a prisoner, warrant of arrest, summons for a juror, form used for charge against prisoner and the indictment.)

It’s in Very Good condition, although it is ex lib with the usual library markings. Covers show no apparent defects, but the spine has some sun-fading. Inside pages are without apparent defects. It’s a good one – quite rare -- and a fascinating look at a "new" school of the early 1900s! (4203)


Circa: 1909
Condition: Very Good
Type: Hardbound
Publisher: D. Appleton Co.
Author: William R. George
Pages: 326