A genuine, dated 1962 Foulsham hardback hobby guide for curious young makers — complete with period line illustrations and practical instructions for carpentry, model making, conjuring and hands-on science experiments.
About This Book
W. Foulsham and Co. Ltd were among the most respected popular reference and hobby publishers in mid-twentieth-century Britain. Their Hundreds of Things a Boy Can Make series became an essential shelf-companion for inventive youngsters, offering practical, honest guidance at a time when self-reliance, hands-on skill and making real things with real tools were considered vital elements of a well-rounded childhood.
This volume — The Second Book of Hundreds of Things a Boy Can Make — carries on that tradition faithfully, packed with activities spanning carpentry and model making through to conjuring tricks and simple scientific experiments. An inscription dated 17 March 1962 on the inside front cover anchors this copy as a genuine period survivor from the early Sixties, the era of Meccano sets, balsa-wood aeroplanes and garden chemistry sets.
The book is illustrated throughout with the clean, confident line drawings characteristic of Foulsham's house style. The complete contents pages remain intact and fully legible, making this genuinely usable as well as genuinely collectable. For those assembling complete Foulsham runs, filling gaps in a series, or simply drawn to the warmth and optimism of mid-century British children's non-fiction, this is an exemplary survivor.
The Photographs
Every item is photographed individually. The gallery above shows the exact book for sale — front board, spine detail, rear board and three-quarter perspective. No stock photography, no catalogue images. Please view the full gallery to examine the condition, lettering, cloth colour and board wear.
Key Features & Details
Authentic 1962 Foulsham
Dated inscription inside the front cover (17 March 1962) confirms publication year. A genuine mid-century British hobby book, not a later reprint or facsimile.
Collectible Series Title
Part of the recognised and sought-after Hundreds of Things a Boy Can Make series — appeals to collectors assembling complete runs and those who value publishing heritage.
Illustrated Throughout
Contains period line drawings on numerous pages. Full contents pages intact and legible. A window into how post-war Britain encouraged children to build and experiment.
Wide Activity Range
Covers carpentry, model making, conjuring tricks, scientific experiments and more. Practical, hands-on guidance aimed at fostering independence and creative problem-solving.
British Publishing Heritage
Published in the United Kingdom by a respected London house. A touchstone of British children's non-fiction from the post-war period.
Usable & Displayable
Strong binding and structurally sound pages make it suitable both for reading, reference and as an archive piece for libraries, schools or collectors.
Specifications
| Title | The Second Book of Hundreds of Things a Boy Can Make |
|---|---|
| Publisher | W. Foulsham and Co. Ltd |
| Series | Hundreds of Things a Boy Can Make |
| Year Published | 1962 (dated inscription 17 March 1962) |
| Format & Binding | Hardcover cloth boards |
| Language | English |
| Country of Publication | United Kingdom |
| Genre | Children's Hobby & Craft / Non-Fiction |
| Board Colour | Orange cloth |
| Illustrations | Yes — period line drawings throughout |
| Contents Pages | Complete and fully legible |
Condition Report
Grade: Used — Acceptable
The orange cloth boards show significant fading and soiling consistent with sixty years of handling and storage; corner wear and fraying are visible at all four corners. The spine ends display fraying at head and tail, though the binding holds firm and the book opens and closes securely with no loose signatures. The spine lettering remains legible.
Endpapers carry pencil sketches drawn by a previous child owner — charming evidence of the book's active life in a household where it was used and valued, though buyers seeking a pristine copy should note this clearly. Interior pages show gentle age-tanning to edges and light spotting consistent with the era. All pages are present, intact and fully readable. No torn, loose or missing leaves.
Please view the photograph gallery for close-ups of the spine lettering, board fading, and endpaper sketches.