The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Making and Flying Kites (1977 First Edition) — Edward F. Dolan Jr. | Doubleday, illustrated, Hobbies & Crafts — Kite Making
$29.00$0.00
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Build it, then send it skyward. This first-edition handbook walks beginners through why kites fly, what materials to use, and how to construct and decorate forty-five designs.
Edward F. Dolan Jr. keeps the tone practical while John Lane’s line drawings make each step clear. It’s a sturdy hardback in jacket—great for makers, teachers, or anyone starting a kite club.
Quick Specs
- Item Type: Hardcover book with dust jacket
- Size: 9.5 × 6.5 × 0.05 inches
- Material: Quarter-cloth (black spine) with red paper boards; printed dust jacket
- Color: Red boards, black spine; white/teal jacket with color kite art
- Origin or Maker: Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, New York
- Year or Era: 1977
- GENRE: Hobbies & Crafts — Kite Making
- Language / Pages: English / 151 pages
- Identifiers: ISBN 0-385-09437-9;
- Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 75-29565
Edition & Features
- Edition/Printing: First Edition (stated)
- Dust Jacket: Present; price $5.95 on front flap (not price-clipped)
- Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Black-and-white line drawings by John Lane; diagrams and step sequences
- Extras: Directions for constructing forty-five different kites; includes index
Condition
- Grade: Very Good book / Good dust jacket
- Notes: Jacket shows chips and short tears at head/foot and along edges (see photos 1, 7–9); crease and closed tear to lower front panel (photo 1); small stain to bottom page edge near fore-edge (photo 9); prior owner note on front free endpaper referencing “Kitty Hawk Kites” (photo 3). Boards clean and bright under the jacket; pages crisp and unmarked on spot check; binding tight.
See all photos—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key: Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
Provenance & Notes
Owner inscription: “Purchased at Kitty Hawk Kites to make kites for shop class reference” on front free endpaper; retailer price sticker on jacket flap.
About the Author / Maker:Edward F. Dolan Jr.
Edward F. Dolan Jr. wrote accessible science and hobby guides for young makers. Illustrator John Lane’s clear diagrams supported hands-on learning across the series.
Ready to build your first kite—or teach a roomful of beginners? This copy makes it easy.
Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide.
Care & Handling: handle with clean, dry hands; store upright at about 68°F and 40–50% RH; keep out of direct sun and damp areas. Questions or need more photos—just ask.
About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for readers, makers, and collectors.
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Yes. Every photo on this page is the actual item you will receive. Not a stock photo, not a similar copy. What you see is what ships.
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Honestly. This is vintage, so expect some age. When I find wear, writing, stains, loose pages, chips, or missing pieces, I note them and show them in the photos. Some marks add character. Some are just flaws. I tell you which is which so you can decide if this is the right one for you.
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With care. Old books and fragile pieces are wrapped and boxed so they arrive the way they left me. Careful packing is one of the things buyers mention most in their reviews. Orders of $35 or more ship free.
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Probably not. Everything here is one of a kind, and I rarely find the same item twice. Once it sells, it is gone. Vintage does not restock neatly.
Good to Know Before You Buy
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