The Make-Believe stories (©1920-1923)
This 12-book series was also written under the pseudonym of Laura Lee Hope. According to children's series book historian James Keeline, Howard Garis wrote the series "in a surprisingly short period of time apiece".
The series went through several incarnations, and was in print into the 1930s. The original format had a book height that was slightly smaller than the standard height, with red boards. These were thick copies (compared to later printings). Copies in the first format are rather difficult to find, especially in dust jacket. But they were *all* produced in format #1.
The books began with standard cover art, but later on in the first format received individual cover artwork. Then in later formats, some of the earlier books also received individual artwork.
The series went through several incarnations, and was in print into the 1930s. The original format had a book height that was slightly smaller than the standard height, with red boards. These were thick copies (compared to later printings). Copies in the first format are rather difficult to find, especially in dust jacket. But they were *all* produced in format #1.
The books began with standard cover art, but later on in the first format received individual cover artwork. Then in later formats, some of the earlier books also received individual artwork.
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The books began with brown and white (sepia toned) frontis illustrations by Harry L. Smith. Toward the end of the series, the frontis illustrations changed to a multi-colored printing.
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Format #1:
#1
#5
#9 Nodding Donkey
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#2
#6
#10 Plush Bear
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#3
#7
#11 Stuffed Elephant
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#4
#8
#12
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Format #2:
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There are only 2 differences I know of between this format and format #1: the color of the cover stock (a switch from red to grey) , and the end papers were no longer blank, but now illustrated. The dust jackets remained the same as 1st format, based on the one copy I have with a dust jacket.
I do not know how many were printed in this format, as it shows up very scarcely. |
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Format #3:
This format saw some size changes. In addition to becoming thinner, they also became a bit taller.
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This format had at least two colors of cover stock. The dark blue is earlier than the light blue.
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These are the two endpapers for this format. The front endpaper is the first seen here, and the rear endpapers are shown 2nd.
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The scan on the left shows an earlier version of the dust jacket for this format, while the 2nd scan shows a later one.
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#1
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#4
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#6
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Boxed set of format 3
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This is a boxed set that was available in the 3rd format. The ad on the end advertises having a napkin ring and a napkin--those were no longer with the box when I bought this set a about 17 years ago.
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Format #4:
This final format was different in that the dimensions were increased in height and width. It now became taller than strandard Grosset & Dunlap books.
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For this printing, the endpapers were the same for front and rear. I believe the covers for this format were only in yellow stock.
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#1
#5
#9
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#2 (scan: Jim McNamara)
#6
#10
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#3
#7 (scan: James Keeline)
#11
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#4
#8
#12
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