Silver Pennies: A Collection of Modern Poems for Boys and Girls (Copyright Page and Dedication)
Printed and bound book, mass-market publication • Blanche Jennings Thompson (Editor); Winifred Bromhall (Illustrator, visible in faint ghosting); Published by The Macmillan Company
Style & Movement
Early 20th Century Children's Literature; Art Deco influence in typography and layout
Medium & Technique
Letterpress and offset printing on paper
Creation Period
Modern Era; specific copy printed in or after March 1946 based on reissue dates
Dimensions & Format
Small octavo (approx. 6 x 4.5 inches); Portrait format
Subject Description
Textual copyright page listing original 1925 copyright and subsequent reprint history from 1926 to 1946. Facing page features a dedication: 'TO THE MEMORY OF MY MOTHER AND FATHER' with a faint blue ink illustration of a seated child figure in the background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing typical signs of age-related wear including tanning and minor creasing of leaf edges.
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $40 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced edition; provenance likely private domestic ownership, common for mid-century American educational or gift books.
Art Historical Significance
Silver Pennies is a landmark anthology in children's literature, credited with bringing modern poetry to young readers in an accessible format. It represents the height of Macmillan's 'Little Library' series impact.
Notable Features
Extensive reprinting list documenting 33 separate print runs between 1926 and 1946, highlighting the book's immense commercial popularity during the Great Depression and WWII eras.
Condition Issues
Paper yellowing (oxidation), minor foxing, softening of paper corners, and slight ink ghosting (bleeding through from the reverse side).
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a temperature-controlled, low-humidity environment; store upright or flat away from direct sunlight to prevent further acid-burn and paper brittleness.