Early 20th century washable children's books

THIS JUST IN: Once upon a time, some children’s books were produced on fine linen. They had the advantage of being washable and quite durable. There are, of course, washable books today but they most likely will be made of vinyl. In the early part of the 20th century, at a time when chromolithography was in its prime, children’s books were produced on linen. The two samples in our collection were published by The Saalfield Publishing Company of New York, once the largest producer of children’s books, and Sam’l Gabriel Sons & Company of New York, a prominent post card manufacturer.