Monday, January 14, 2013
The First Book of Space Travel
We've been traveling all over the US this month, but now it's time to aim a little higher with our eyes on the future-- and I mean the future of 1953 and OUTER SPACE! Written and illustrated by Jeanne Bendick, with a Space Consultant assist from Hal Goodwin, The First Book of Space Travel (Franklin Watts, 1953) is a truly awesome 60+ page book full of everything you'll ever need to know about journeying to the final frontier and beyond. The select illustrative highlights here only begin to scratch the surface, and in some cases, I left in excerpts of fun text, further revealing how essential this book is for those of you planning a life someday among the stars!
space gloves that end in tools!!!!!! we need those here on earth too!
ReplyDeleteand, i'm sorry, but i find it hard to believe that travelling to space is going to turn that little girl into a spaceman.
these pics are soooo cute! it's like dick and jane on the moon only way cuter!
thanks!
Jane says, "Brush up on your centrifugal force knowledge, Dick!"
ReplyDeleteand don't forget the space glove that ends in tools...dick.
ReplyDeleteDick primes the rocket on the moons surface, while Jane prepares the landing pad for easy entry...
ReplyDeletewait. i don't see that pic! where is it?
ReplyDelete(NOTE: Chapter on Black Holes not included in this post)
ReplyDeleteargh!!!
ReplyDeleteyou win this round Karswell, but i'll be back!
:)
*cranks Flash soundtrack by Queen and laughs*
ReplyDeletei hope your also repeatedly touching the tips of all your fingers together while you're laughing, or it just wouldn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteThat's impossible to do when I'm endlessly stroking my white Persian lap kitty.
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful book... Where do you find these things??
ReplyDeleteI've always had this one in my collection, not sure who got it for me... but I see it occasionally at used book stores and antique malls. There's 2 on eBay right now priced at $18.00 --and worth every penny.
ReplyDeleteGlorious. Paleo-futurism at its absolute best--and on its best behavior, too. This is all such mature speculation, not really given to very much of the breathless pie in the sky spaciness that often characterized hopeful fifties speculation. So those aliens at the end come as a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteMy faves ranked in order of appearance only: the second Working in Space image (number 12), How About People? (number 26), and the sublime Space Chatter (at 28).
Thanks for posting all this stuff!
I had a feeling you'd like this post, Mr C...
ReplyDeleteI remember this book from when I was a kid. I was so besotted with space, rocketships, and the possibilities of the future that I asked my mother, "When will the future be here?" as if there was an actual date I could walk out my front door and all of the wonders described would be there.
ReplyDeleteSigh. This future's come and gone already, Pappy.
ReplyDeleteAll that "The Future" has delivered to me (as promised) is having the ability to look at T&A on a handheld device anytime I want.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm fine with that... for now.
Hey everybody,
ReplyDeleteMy mother just send me a link to this which was sent to her by a family friend. I have read all of your comments and I just wanted to tell you all that it warms my heart that you enjoy this book, remember this book from your childhood, think highly of it and its wonderful to know that there are copies still out there.
Jeanne Bendick is my grandmother, and I have all her books on my shelf in my room. When I was younger I always thought that she just wrote them for my brother and I, like a special little gift to us. I've enjoyed them for years and years and when I see things like this it makes me so happy to know that others out there have enjoyed her work. Although now I know it's not just my special little gift, I much prefer that it's the worlds special little gift.
Wowzers!!! Thank you for writing to us Ms Hawkeye, and please tell Jeanne how much we adore her and her super fabulous work!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! I can't tell you how many hours of pleasure it has been to read this stuff (and other things like it). It's the sort of thing that delighted me as a child and goes on delighting me now. Please pass along my thanks to you family as well.
ReplyDeleteHow many books did Jeanne Bendick produce? I would love to see some more.
thanks for posting. i wish i could print to use as reading materials for my kids at school. am teaching greade 5 have a nice day...=)
ReplyDeleteYou you'd be better off finding a copy, Aniana-- this post only contains about HALF of the book! There's lots more to it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing!
i wish i could copy this story or print for my grade 5 students at school this is a very good story..thanks for the share
ReplyDelete