The Bobbsey Twins' Wonderful Secret by Laura Lee Hope is a 1931 Grosset & Dunlap hardcover children's series book illustrated by Walter S. Rogers.
This early Bobbsey Twins story follows the familiar family through secrets, winter adventures, misunderstandings, and Christmas plans. The photographed contents page shows chapters including The Satin Pillow, The Boy in the Cellar, Strange Voices, Winter Fun, Through the Ice, The Snowball Fight, Christmas Shopping, Caught in the Snow, and Merry Christmas Secrets.
Details
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Item: vintage illustrated children's book
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Title: The Bobbsey Twins' Wonderful Secret
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Author: Laura Lee Hope
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Illustrator: Walter S. Rogers
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Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap, New York
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Publication Year: copyright 1931
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Edition and Printing: 1931 Grosset & Dunlap issue. The copyright page lists the Bobbsey Twins series through this title. Exact printing is not confirmed from the photos, so first printing is not claimed.
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Format and Binding: hardcover with green cloth boards and an applied color pictorial front cover
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Dust Jacket: absent
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Pages: 246 pages
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Genre: children's series fiction and family adventure
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Language: English
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ISBN: none visible. This 1931 publication predates ISBN use.
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Dimensions: approximately 8 inches by 5 inches by 1 inch, as provided
Condition Grade: Fair
Positives
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Graded Fair: This is a complete, readable older children's book with significant binding and cover wear.
- The printed text remains dark and easy to read in the photographed pages.
- The Walter S. Rogers frontispiece is present, and the title page and contents page remain legible.
- The original green pictorial hardcover remains present with the title, author name, and front illustration still readable.
- A previous owner wrote a name and the date 1931 on the front endpaper.
Issues / Wear
- The binding has a significant split visible at the center, with separation and exposed material at the lower spine area.
- The green cloth shows fraying and wear at the spine ends, corners, and board edges.
- The front cover illustration is heavily rubbed, scratched, faded, and marked, with light scribbling and small colored marks visible across the image.
- The pages and page edges have noticeable age toning, spotting, and discoloration.
- There is some pencil underlining in the text, as noted.
- One or two pages have a slight tear along the bottom edge, as noted.
- The front and rear endpaper areas show staining, discoloration, and handling marks.
Condition Grade Key
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Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
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Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
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Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
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Fair: Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.
Collector's Notes
The book was published by Grosset & Dunlap in 1931 as part of the long running Bobbsey Twins series. It belongs to the earlier generation of children's series books many readers remember from family shelves.
This copy is illustrated by Walter S. Rogers and retains its green pictorial cloth binding. It suits a Bobbsey Twins collection where an early reading copy matters more than a pristine example.
A previous owner dated the front endpaper 1931. That gives this particular copy a clearly dated personal mark while leaving its individual history otherwise unknown.
The binding has seen a lot of reading and now shows it plainly. The story remains readable for someone who likes an old children's book to look honestly old.
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Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece, please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40 to 50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.
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