and the jackal played the masinko

this is a beautiful book...lovely illustrations and a charming story. i learned that a masinko is an ethiopian violin-like instrument.

and the jackal played the masinko by marjorie hopkins
first edition, 1969, parents' magazine press, new york
illustrated by olivia h. h. cole

**on a side note...sorry about the lack of posts lately, i am photographing several books today and will be posted them starting next week! also, have you seen this site book sale finder? i plan on attending a few of those listed in my state.

the city and country mother goose

i'm endlessly amazed at the wealth of beauty in illustrated children's books. this book is no exception. hilde hoffmann's illustrations are fantastic. busy, colorful, loose, naive and all around amazing. it's like jumping into a blissful dream.

the city and country mother goose by hilde hoffmann
first edition, 1969, american heritage press, new york
illustrations are also by hilde hoffmann

ikebana of japan and japanese flower arrangement: ikebana

i am always on the lookout for old craft books, and old books relating to japan. some of the best craft books have been long out of print, and i find that books about japan from the '50s-'70s tend to have fantastic type and design overall. that and brad (my husband) is a japan fan. these two books combine those interests.

ikebana of japan: moribana style

20 arrangements in full color by houn ohara

1969, shufunotomo co., tokyo

photographs not credited

i remember as a kid being totally fascinated by ikebana. apparently 1969 was a big year for this art form (it carried into the '70s apparently.) both these books were published that year. most of all i value these treasures for their color photography. you just don't find color or photo styling like this anymore.

japanese flower arrangement: ikebana by john march-penney

1969, the hamlyn publishing group, london

photos by janet march-penney

i doubt i'll be picking up the art of ikebana, although you never know. i can tell you that i've flipped through both of these books numerous times soaking up the goodness. these scans really don't do them justice. houn ohara's book has a kodachrome quality to it that's to die for.