skills, tips, & life lessons

The Official Nancy Drew Handbook! Full of such tasty tips as how to determine a man's character by the shoes he wears, how to tap out a morse code message with your high-heeled shoes, how to pack the perfect handbag for all contingencies, and how to tell a good guy from a bad guy:

"Nancy has a sixth sense when it comes to sniffing out a bad guy. There's something about him that gives away his nasty secret; underneath that nice suit and hair pomade lurks a man with underhanded plans. It could be his wild bushy hair, his shifty penetrating eyes, or his crude scowling face. Whatever it is, Nancy spots them easily."  

Rather amusing, I'd say. Published by Quirk Productions, Inc., design by Bryn Ashburn. 

a whole lot of mystery

ONE: "The beginning of Cranston's Adventure–the real adventure, not the intrigue–seemed as sudden and grotesque as a queer twist in a dream. The night was very still, and the empty sea as it rose and fell gently under a great low moon sighed like a woman half-awake–sighed and then stretched out cold fingers of surf to the young man's naked body sprawled on the cold sand..."

Oh la la! Quel suspens!

NEW old 1930 Nancy's! Great illustrations, great couch pattern...She's fighting crime, perfectly coiffed. 

Proof: I've always been a super sleuth. Little Aimee gumshoe notes, circa 1996? What a great find this was. 

nancynancynancy

Look what arrived via the U.S. Postal Service: 1939 Nancy Drew! The book jacket is  a bit torn but the spine is still going strong. And thus continues the adoration of my favorite super sleuth...
Inside front cover: I like the navy blue but it's no orange, looks like a woodcut?
Great illustration! It is good to know that in this latest situation of peril, even the subjects of the painting are concerned for our brave ND. We've got your back, ND. Word.

did i mention i like the postal service?

Look what arrived in the mail this evening!

Check out more vintage sewing notions. And packaging! The pinker in its box makes me blush. 

 

1952 Nancy Drew. I do enjoy the ribbon. And Nancy's dope DJ beats. Word. 

S is for screenprinting. And sleuthing. 

collections

An introduction into my collections: First edition (1930s) Nancy Drews are hard to come by with the dust jacket, and it seems, especially hard to come by with the lovely orange silhouette interior covers, as opposed to the more common navy blue. I've been searching for awhile for old technicolor photographs. This one I picked up recently. It has a note written on the back in impeccable script in a language I cannot decipher. A passionate love note? Perhaps. "Best in children's books" series have little graphics and spot illustrations in sugary colors that I want to eat like gum drops. This one was published in 1959. If anyone should stumble on any of these, please snatch them up for me and I will reward you handsomely and reimburse you for your noble endeavors.