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Up for sale is a fascinating piece of mid-century American educational history: a 1941 printing of Wallace Walter Atwood’s classic geography textbook, The United States Among the Nations. Published by Ginn and Company and manufactured at their historic Athenæum Press, this volume served as a staple curriculum piece for American school children during the World War II era.
Because it was printed in 1941, the maps, data, and cultural commentary offer a unique, historical snapshot of how the United States viewed its geographic, economic, and geopolitical standing just as it was entering the global stage of the second World War. It is richly illustrated with vintage photographs, color-tinted physical and political maps, and comprehensive regional breakdowns of American industry, agriculture, and commerce.
This book is in Good to Very Good vintage condition, which is exceptionally rare for a school textbook of this era. The inside front and back covers are remarkably clean. There are absolutely no handwritten student names, classroom numbers, library stamps, or ink scribbles on the endpapers. The inner pages and endpapers show an attractive, uniform rectangular toning/frowning pattern from the original binder\'s glue over the past 80+ years, but the paper remains crisp, structurally sound, and completely free of heavy foxing or moisture damage.
The structural integrity is excellent. The hinges are completely intact and secure, not split or pulling away, and the textblock binding remains tight.
The orange cloth hardcover features the original debossed cover typography and illustration. There is typical light shelf wear, including mild softening and minor rubbing at the spine ends and corner tips, consistent with age.
Please review the included photos carefully to inspect the condition of the hinges, spine, and internal pages, as they are a direct representation of the item you will receive.
Sold As Is As Shown. No Returns.
A wonderful addition for collectors of vintage textbooks, historians of mid-century Americana, or anyone looking for a exceptionally clean, well-preserved piece of 1940s school memorabilia.
