Monday 12 December 2011

All that glitters


I'm always surprised to find one of these vintage glitter books in original untouched condition. It’s not very clear from the photographs, but each of the figures is highlighted with glitter, as is the star on the front cover.


I loved 'glitter books' when I was a child and would assemble them in double quick time. How could any child not want to push-out and assemble a glittering Christmas crib or a Coronation coach?


I suppose the Coronation coach was purchased as a souvenir and not something to be played with – but a Christmas crib?


I am, however, very grateful to the children who left them in perfect condition for me to find and enjoy years later.     

The Christmas Story Glitter Book is now sold, thank you for your interest
Further details; The Coronation Coach here


Did you enjoy books like this when you were a child?

14 comments:

  1. I would have loved to have been given either of these as a child. There was something so satisfying about punching out pieces of card that could be transformed into a wonderful 3D work of art. If it had glitter on it so much the better.

    Are children still the same today I wonder? I could never get my son to share the same delight and enjoyment in the things I loved. If it is not electronic he is not all that interested.

    I'd imagine whoever buys these will be adults like myself who do so for the nostalgia value they have in spades! - Sharon

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  2. I have never heard of glitter books, but I have a feeling I would have loved them. These look wonderful, though I am partial to the Coronation. Thanks for sharing these.

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  3. barbaraannefisher12 December 2011 at 16:00

    Hi Sharon
    Maybe small children are the same, or at least I hope they are. My son loved building things when he was small and my grandsons were the same, but now they are teenagers it’s electronic or nothing.
    These two have been in my collection for a long time so I felt it was time to pass them on to someone else to enjoy. I’m still not sure I want to let them go so if they don’t sell you know where they will be in January!

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  4. barbaraannefisher12 December 2011 at 16:11

    Hi Alex, thanks for calling in. They were very popular during the 50s and early 60s (when I was growing up) but then went out of favour. Maybe I can start a ‘glitter book’ collecting craze - they are hard to find in good condition so it might take some time to build a collection.

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  5. I would have loved this as a child, but I didn't get books like this. I had coloring books and I adored those, too.

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  6. I love glitter- and think I would enjoy this book. I would have really loved it as a child- as I was like a crow and was attracted to anything that sparkled. :) This book sounds beautiful!

    ~Jess
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

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  7. barbaraannefisher13 December 2011 at 09:44

    I loved colouring books too but glitter books were my favourites. I wish I had kept them now - but at the time all I wanted to do was build them as fast as possible. I'm sure they only lasted a few days before being thrown away - such a shame.

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  8. barbaraannefisher13 December 2011 at 09:56

    Your comment about being a crow reminded me of when I was a little girl. My brother found an injured magpie and after bringing it home and nursing it back to health it became a ’free’ family pet. It used to disappear for days on end but would return for food and a visit. It loved anything shiny and would steal anything that was small enough to fly with – we have always imagined a little horde of magpie treasures in a wood somewhere. My dad used to smoke cigarettes back then and always had one in his mouth and one tucked behind his ear for later! But as soon as the magpie arrived the one behind his ear would be whisked away.

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  9. I've never heard of glitter books. I used to get books where the pages were more like cardboard and you could punch out these pieces. How fun. A glitter book. So often I learn things about books that I never thought of, right here on your blog. Thank you for that!

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  10. barbaraannefisher14 December 2011 at 10:35

    You are most welcome!

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  11. I've never heard of glitter books, might be before my time. I would love to play with that Nativity one, looks like fun. I would have to share it with the children :(

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  12. What a delightful blog!
    I loved 3D books as a young child - would stare into their depths for hours imagining myself in fairy worlds. I remember one in particular that folded back on itself and tied with a ribbon so that it formed a rectangle. The four sections represented the four seasons. I wanted to climb right inside it!
    Lyn

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  13. barbaraannefisher16 December 2011 at 11:10

    I remember playing with books like this as a child but I don’t remember seeing them after the 1960s. I suppose ‘newer’ things came along to replace them. I loved building them with my mum so I'm sure your children would too.

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  14. barbaraannefisher16 December 2011 at 11:21

    Thank you Lyn, that’s a lovely thing to say! I remember books like that too; one of my favourites was Orlando's country peepshow featuring Orlando the marmalade cat in different settings. I wonder if that is the one you are remembering.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx