A Vintage Read? Yes Indeed! School Primers Are A Must-Have

We went to a few antique shops this weekend that we visit pretty regularly, but this time I found a hidden section in one of the shops that I had ignored on so many trips before. Something pulled me to this tucked-away shelf that turned out to be full of vintage children’s books. I LOVE vintage children’s books. (A lot of the graphics that you see on products at The Baby Gardner come from vintage story books and primers.) So needless to stay, I got really excited. Here’s a sampling of my finds:

For me personally, I love primers for their amazing vintage illustrations and the nostalgia they exude. Totally reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s, they represent picture-perfect vintage Americana.

School primers (a.k.a. early readers) appeared in classrooms across the country to instill reading fundamentals as a fun and straight-forward process. Today, these books can be easily identified by their bright and cheerful vintage illustrations and large text. They often include several short stories, a vocabulary index, and reading comprehension questions.

“See Dick run. Run Dick run!” No doubt you’ve heard those infamous words from the classic primer, Dick & Jane. Many vintage primers have become incredibly collectible over the years. Dick & Jane primers, in particular, are very sought after and treasured among serious collectors. These characters came alive in 1930 when the first Dick & Jane primer was introduced.

The popularity of Dick and Jane has boomed even more in recent years as reproductions of the classic primers have been published. Michael Miller, fabric designer, has even created a line of vintage-inspired fabrics dedicated solely to this famous duo:

If you feel that irresistible pull toward vintage school primers the way I do, here are some great tips for collecting:

• Search for primers at flea markets, used book stores, garage sales, thrift stores, and eBay.
• Try to choose books with all pages present and clean. Often it’s difficult to find readers without school stamps or other markings.
• Look for books with a good tight binding and clean covers. The text should be clear and readable .
• Also keep in mind that all of the original primers are now out of print. Reproductions have been printed by various authors so always check copyright dates.
• Books that may not be in the best condition overall, still have potential. Consider framing individual pages that showcase colorful illustrations and charming text. Choose 3 or 4 pages to frame and group on a wall in a nursery, bedroom or playroom to add instant vintage charm.

The great thing about collecting these vintage school primers? They’re still fairly easy to find — and at reasonable prices too! Happy hunting!