MOUNTAIN WEST / PACIFIC + SOUTHWEST.
Classic Young Adult Fiction.
We found these four volumes being sold as a set and so it just seemed right to sell them as a set. In all, they comprise a core of Whitman’s “Famous Classics for Boys” series attributed to the “Singing Cowboy,” Gene Autry. How much Autry actually had to do with their production or even idea is open to debate. But our guess is he certainly signed off on the content, probably provided background for ideas, if not story outlines, and was most definitely involved in doing what he could to sell them as part of his ubiquitous western brand. They are classic examples of young adult fiction and in fantastic shape at 60-70 years old … Gene Autry himself was an absolute dynamo of a celebrity, epitome of the mythic Wild West genre that was wildly popular (if itself quite fictionalized) during the middle decades of the 20th century. His resume is readily available, but here’s a brief summary: Born north of Dallas, he grew up on, and was steeped deeply in the ranch culture of Texas and Oklahoma. He was already singing “cowboy songs” when he took up as a telegraph operator on an Oklahoma rail line, where he would lean on his then hobby to pass the long periods of down time—a practice that would get him fired! He went to New York City to see about a music career, was told to hone his craft, did so back in Oklahoma, was heard by chance by the already famous Will Rogers, and was on his way. He became a massive star, pumping out a volume of hits, and in turn being recognized as a pioneer of what would be called “country music”—if of the “western” variety. The west and its hold on him was always evident and would be the thing that cemented his place in popular culture, appearing in 93 films (mainly 1930s-50s) during a period when the west itself held a mystical place in American lore. Oh, and he would also have a super popular TV series, and contributed his name to any number of western-themed toy lines, a comic book series, the super popular Big Little Books, and Whitman’s Gene Autry series of action-packed adventures for young boys. As mentioned, all four of these volumes are in fantastic shape, the first three dust-jacketed hard bounds, the fourth being case-laminate or case-wrapped (the illustrated cover laminated directly onto the boards). [Condition: Used Very Good. There are only slight rips and tears at the corner edges of the dust-jackets, with a bit of peeling on the spine of the case-wrapped volume. Slight discoloration is seen on the top side page edges, this being most prominent in the youngest of the four. The only interior page markings are original owner names written on front pages of two of the four, with check marks on a collection list at the back of one (impressive reading considering all those checked!). Aside from that, all interior pages are pristine even at 60-70 years old.]
Condition: Used Very Good.
Whitman Publishing Company, Racine WI.
Hardcover, all volumes: 5 x 8” / 13 oz
Here is the full set by year published:
-
Gene Autry and the Redwood Pirates, written by Bob Hamilton / illustrated by Erwin L. Hess © 1946, 248 pgs.
-
Gene Autry and the Golden Ladder Gang, written by W. H. Hutchison / illustrated by Andrew Bensen © 1950, 250 pgs.
-
Gene Autry and the Big Valley Grab, written by W. H. Hutchison / illustrated by Randy Steffen © 1952, 250 pgs.
-
Gene Autry and Arapaho War Drums, written by Lewis B. Patten / illustrated by John W. Hampton © 1957, 282 pgs.
