Tuesday 2 April 2013

Book of the Week; Nicholas and Timothy A Farmyard Pop-Up Story Book

I had forgotten all about this book until I spotted it in the window of a local second hand bookshop. My copy was given away long ago so I knew this one would be coming home with me. I've thoroughly enjoyed looking after it for a while, but the dreaded cash flow dictates I must now offer it for sale in the hope that it will go to someone who will love it as much as I do.

Nicholas Thomas was an endearingly naughty kitten who appeared in some half-dozen children’s books written by Kitty Styles and illustrated by Mary Kendal Lee. The books were published by Sampson Low between 1948 and 1954. 

I love everything about Nicholas Thomas the little kitten who is always in trouble.

Timothy and Nicholas Thomas help with the hay making while Mr. Teddy enjoys a snooze.


Delivering the milk 

Rescuing Tiny the pony 
Nicholas and Timothy Farmyard Pop-up story book is now sold, thank you for your interest.

Does anyone else remember Nicholas Thomas? Do you have a favourite pop-up book?

Update July 2016: March House books closed on my retirement in 2015, but I do still blog here at March of Time Books and always appreciate your visit. 

45 comments:

  1. I did not know Nicholas Thomas. The book looks really charming and sweet :)

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    1. Hello Hilde, It is very charming and sweet. thank you for your comment.

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  2. I think Hilde sums this up with the words charming and sweet. I loved pop-up books as a girl - still do in fact.

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    1. Me too, lots of pop-up books end up on 'my' shelf for a few months until husband reminds me that I'm 'supposed' to be running a business. In my heart I'm a collector not a business woman. Thanks so much for calling in.

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  3. Dear Barbara,
    Wow! This book looks amazing! :) It has bright colors, and just because it is a pop-up book, it interests me more! I hope it goes to someone who loves it as you do :)
    I hope you enjoyed the Easter. ;)

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    1. Hi Aunt Mary, I had a lovely Easter thank you. I'm sure it will find a new & loving home before too long. Most of these sweet little books do. Thanks very much for your comment.

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  4. ~ Hello Barbara....I feel I should remember this wee book...but being a sixties child....May be not. soo sweet....I have just had a peek at the many nostalgic books you have for sale...They do bring back memories...Which is what is so lovely about being on here......Thank you for visiting me and I was glad my blog stirred up sweet memories for you also...from your dear Mum....I love this picture too! ~ with kind thoughts..Maria x

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    1. Hi Maria, the swinging sixties – I remember them well! I was born in the 40s so that’s why I remember Nicholas Thomas. I don’t think these little books were published very much (if at all) after the end of the 50s. Your post really did bring back memories – I could hardly believe it when the first thing I saw was that sweet picture. I’m glad you are enjoying the books. Thank you for your visit and lovely comment. x

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  5. Adorable book Barbara! It looks in excellent shape too! I'm sure someone will snap it up soon!

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    1. Hi Diane, it's in amazing shape considering it’s a pop-up book that must have seen lots of ‘action’. Thanks for your comment and for popping over.

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  6. I have never heard of Nicholas Thomas- but the book looks so fun. I love pop-up books and the colors in this one are great.

    I am glad you have been able to enjoy the book and I hope it finds a new home that appreciates it just as much. :)

    Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Hi Stephanie, It looks as though poor old Nicholas is not as well known as I thought he was. I don’t suppose the books were published in great numbers, and maybe they never made it out of the UK. Perhaps some enterprising publisher should reprint them. Thanks for calling in.

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  8. What a beautiful wee book, I love the quality and artistry of it

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

    I hope you had a beautiful easter

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    1. Hello Lainy, we had a lovely Easter, thank you. Hope you did too.
      It really is a beautiful wee book, but it's nice of you to say so. Thanks for calling in.

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  9. As a fellow bookseller, I have many that I hate to part with. I feel your pain.

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    1. Hi Angela, how nice it would be to keep all the books you fall in love. I keep promising myself that when (when??) I win the lottery I will become a full time book collector but until that happy day, I hope to sell a few. Thanks for your visit and for sharing my pain! Barbara

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  10. This is adorable and in such beautiful shape! I had a pop up book with a talking tree when I was a kid. I don;t remember much about it except at one page the trees eyebrows wiggled up and down...

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    1. Hello Joleene, your pop up book sounds lovely - I would really like to see those wiggling eyebrows! Thanks for commenting. Barbara

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  11. Well Babs another classic! there is many a poem left to be extracted from our Nicholas and Thomas's adventures, a lovely book.Let the search begin.

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    1. Hello Terence, thanks for calling in and leaving a comment. I will leave the poem's up to you as I know you will do a good job!
      I will be over to visit with you soon.

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  12. Barbara, I don't know Nicholas Thomas but your book is a beauty, I really rate vintage pop up books.

    It really looks to be in tip top condition, hope it finds a loving home.

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    1. Hi Michelle, when I first read your comment, I thought you were saying you really hated (rather than rated) vintage pop up books - I was so surprised I had to read it again. Knowing your love for books I should have known better!
      It is a beauty, and I'm sure a loving home will be found in due course. Thanks for calling in. Barbara

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  13. What a superb blog! Thank you for affording me several hours of pleasurable nostalgia.

    As an addition to your list of Other Blogs to Enjoy, may I suggest http://wichwoodvillage.blogspot.com/

    Kind regards from South Africa
    Sandra

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  14. Hello Sandra, I’m very happy to meet you! I’ve just visited your fascinating blog. I've only read your ‘How I became a Jane Shaw enthusiast’ post (I like to start from the beginning!) but I will be back for more. I will be delighted to add your blog to the list. I am aware the list needs updating and adding your blog will be a good first step. Thank you very much for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment.
    Best wishes, Barbara

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  15. Its a gorgeous book Barbara - its such a pity you can't keep it - I hope it goes to a loving home! I've never seen this one before but I've always had a soft spot for any book that pops up or has pictures that slide out - I always thought they were very special when I was a child. I have one I've been meaning to feature in a post for ages - the only thing that has been putting me off is that I no longer have the front cover - a bit of regular flaw with a lot of my books that were read until they fell to pieces!

    I'm so glad you have found Marge's blog. She introduced me to the world of blogging! I discovered her when I was looking for paper dolls a couple if years ago and was so inspired that I decided to start one of my own. Her blog is beautiful - I don't know how she manages to keep it up so consistently.

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    1. Hello Sharon, I am sad to be offering Nicholas Thomas for sale, but I know I have to be sensible. If I stop selling I will also have to stop buying, and that’s something I just can’t do. I get to look after all these lovely books for a while and for that I'm very grateful.

      You should feature your book – front cover or not – it’s what’s inside that really counts (the same with people). I for one would enjoy seeing it.

      I'm glad you already know Marge’s blog. When I saw the cut out doll pictures on Pinterest, I immediate thought of you.

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  16. Thank you Barbara, but I can't take credit for the wichwoodvillage blog. It isn't mine, it belongs to one Robert Stewart, who as far as I can make out lives in Brazil. I only gave you the link because I thought it might be of interest to you.
    Sandra

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    1. Hello Sandra, I visited and started reading and just assumed it was your blog. Anyway, I'm really pleased to have the link, thank you. I've added it to the list (and removed some that were defunct). I really appreciate you taking the time to pass on the link and for saying you like my blog. Best wishes, Barbara

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  17. Pop-up books in such great condition are probably hard to come by. Very cute!

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    1. Hi Eve, it's not easy finding them in good condition, the thing with pop up books is they have been played with (quite rightly) so of course they get damaged, but this one is lovely. Thanks for visiting.

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  19. Oh this is just the brightest and sweetest world I have come upon today. So good to meet you! Anita

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    1. Dear Anita, thank you so much for calling in. I’m really glad you left a comment because it enabled me to find your wonderful blog! I will be back to visit you often. Barbara.

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  20. Hello Barbara! These illustrations are so sweet!
    I love pop ups, they are always a temptation for me, but vintage ones are usually quite expensive here and not so easy to find.
    Besos! Silvina

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    1. Dear Silvina,
      I will try to remember to share some more pop up books now that I know they are hard for you to find. I don’t get that many old ones but just now and again, a lovely one (like this) will turn up. Best wishes, Barbara

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  21. Good morning Barbara! It was such a lovely surprise to find your comment this morning! I was perusing your blog here and see that you have a collection of Little Grey Rabbit! I have a few in my little library upstairs along with other sweet little books. I am a French teacher, so I have a collection of vintage French story books as well. I also illustrate and have an Etsy shop with cards with my illustrations, and my style reflects my love for the more "innocent" depiction of childhood. So glad to find you!

    Enjoy your day, Anita

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  22. Hello Anita, it was lovely to find yours too! It's funny you should mention Little Grey Rabbit, I've just purchased a collection of 31 books that I will be featuring here over the next three weeks. I'm going to pay you a visit on Etsy after leaving this reply. Have you found my website? www.marchhousebooks.co.uk. There are lots of pretty vintage books there. Thanks so much for your visit.

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  23. What a sweet pop up book. I had never heard of Nicholas Thomas before, but there is something so appealing about a little kitten that gets into mischief.

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    1. Hi Gayle, I could not agree more, and this little kitten gets into a lot of mischief! Thanks for calling in. Barbara

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  24. Pop ups were my favorite but unfortunately I never got any because the other kids would always destroy them. ;-(
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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    1. Oh Jamie that’s so sad! At least, you can get to share them here :) Barbara.

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  25. I haven't heard of Nicholas Thomas but I love meeting kittens who're always getting into trouble! Love pop-up books & cards. This one seems lovely, Barbara!

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  26. Hello Claudine, it really is a lovely book. Kittens and pop-ups what could be better? Thanks so much for calling in.

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  27. I remember pop up books. They were so much fun and great for imaginative play.

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  28. Hello Donna, There are some wonderful pop up books around now, with fantastical paper engineering. The older books are more straight-forward (they just pop up), but they are incredibly appealing.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx