Hope Haven (1947) — Dirk Gringhuis — Illustrated Pioneer Adventure, Dutch-American Immigration Story | Vintage Children’s History

Hope Haven (1947) is a beautifully illustrated children’s historical adventure following two Dutch immigrant children as they journey to America and begin a new life among early Michigan settlers.

Dirk Gringhuis—known for his expressive, museum-quality paintings—created both the story and full-color artwork. T

Quick Specs

• Item Type: Vintage illustrated children’s book
• Size: 9 × 6 × 1 in
• Material: Cloth boards with illustrated dust jacket
• Color: Blue cloth with gilt ship motif; multicolor DJ
• Origin or Maker: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Year or Era: 1947
• GENRE: Children’s Historical Adventure / Pioneer Story
• Language / Pages: English / 132 pages

Edition & Features

• Edition/Printing: First Edition, August 1947 (photo-verified)
• Dust Jacket: Present; moderate wear with chips, edge loss, and tears (see photos)
• Illustrations: Full-color plates and detailed scene art by Dirk Gringhuis
• Extras: Author-illustrated throughout; front flap blurb intact; original 1940s production quality

Condition Grade: Good

Notes: Dust jacket shows chipping, edge wear, and losses at corners/spine ends. Boards clean and brightly stamped. Pages clean with typical age toning; two owner inscriptions and a Sunday School stamp on the title page. Binding straight and fully intact.

• See all photos for detail—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

Includes Sunday School stamp dated 12/28/47 and two owner inscriptions. Estate copy.

About the Author Dirk Gringhuis

Dirk Gringhuis (1918–1974) was an American illustrator and writer known for bringing regional and historical stories to life through luminous artwork. His books often centered on Great Lakes history and Dutch-American heritage.

A beautifully illustrated mid-century children's classic ready to enjoy or display.

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. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor may display them slightly differently.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, away from sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% humidity. Avoid moisture and temperature swings. Questions? Just ask.

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