I found this vintage children’s book in a secondhand store with the title of “Mother Goose” and wondered what is a Linenette book? On the cover of the “Mother Goose” book is the word Linenette, Trade Mark.
I was a little curious about this soft-covered book and the Linenette name, so, I after purchasing the book and went online to do some research.
Linenette Fabric
I found out that Linenette is a type of cotton fabric looking a lot like linen.
The pages in this book are made from Linenette. The sturdy-looking pages are perfect for a child’s book.
“Mother Goose” Book Facts
The book was published by Sam’l. Gabriel Sons & Company, printed in the USA, probably back in the 1930’s to 1940’s. The pages measures 7.37 x 8.65 inches and the book has approximately ten pages plus the front and back cover. The illustrator is R. A. Burley.
The back cover has a large “G” with the wording “Quality Guaranteed” and “To Keep Busy the Little Hands” and “Little Heads”.
This is a close up of the linen looking material in the book.
Graphics & Nursery Rhymes
Linenette books are full of colorful graphics and nursery rhymes. Interestingly, Linenette books often acknowledge the illustrators but not the authors.
“My Puppy’s Playmates”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Cinderella”, “Bunnies”, etc., are titles some of the Linenette books.
The Linenette picture books often had bold bright pictures and moral themes.
Back then, this book is probably a child’s first read-aloud book.
Thoughts on Mother Goose?
I don’t remember reading this version of the story as a child.
This Mother Goose story is of the goose who lays the golden eggs. The tale begins, that one egg is sold for less than what it was worth to a knave. Then a second scary-looking knave with a knife tries to steal the golden egg goose. Mother Goose catches the golden goose before the knave, and bravely flies to the moon.
It is a different time and a different era.
Sorry a dishonest man with a knife story would never be read to a kindergarten class today because it would just be too scary for young children.
Sorry Mother Goose!
The Lakeside Heritage Society, www.biblo.com, Wikipedia, and Women’s Collection – Texas Women’s University online sites were used to research today’s blog.