In today’s collectible world, where the most unusual items are sought after, it comes as no surprise that an emotionally loaded, nostalgia laden item with small intrinsic value is avidly sought by serious collectors.
That Irritating and Pokey Little Puppy. . .
Originally sold for twenty five cents, collectors today will spend $20 or $25 for a 1942 version of the Pokey Little Puppy, undoubtedly the most annoying character in all storyland. In Pokey’s defense, I should say that my negative feelings my stem from a four week period in 1983 when my little daughter, wanting to be read to, followed me around the house, pulling on my sleeve, and whining, “Mommy, Pokey, Mommy, Pokey,” three or four hundred times ‘til I gave in.
Introduction of Golden Books
Golden Books, the most successful mass marketed children’s books, were introduced in 1942, a joint venture between Publisher Simon & Schuster, and the creative book design division of Western Printing & Lithographing. The original twelve volumes, printed by Western, (who owned the nation’s first sheet-fed four color offset press), sold for twenty five cents, and were an almost immediate success. These colorful, inexpensive, almost toy-like books were made to be played with. In the five months following their introduction, the books sold over one and a half million copies.
Dating Golden Books
As with other areas of book collecting, the most valuable Golden Books tend to be first editions, but unlike other books, Golden’s offer a wealth of information that makes it possible to date them. Most books will have a copyright (“c”) date. If this is followed by a second date proceeded by a “p” this indicates that the book was published later. Some books featured even more specific information, and may give the copyright date, followed by, for example, 2nd printing July 1967. Some books used letter codes to delineate subsequent printing, with an “A” being an earlier printing than a “D.” The difference between a second printing and a second edition is that, except for the date of issue, the two volumes are exactly alike, while a second edition will have modifications to story or art or both.
Values of Golden Books
As always demand and rarity play their parts in value of this collectible, but unlike other objects emotional appeal may play an even greater part. Theoretically, my daughter would be willing to pay more than would her mother for an early copy of the book about the world’s most irritating canine. It’s not only the oldest volumes that are valuable, however, new editions (those published within the last ten or twenty years) that have gone out of print are also eagerly sought after. Books with cross-over appeal are probably the most valuable. Collectors of 1960’s TV memorabilia would be interested in Golden Books featuring Yogi Bear, Howdy Doody, or Roy Rogers.