[reader's accessory]
CARDINAL BOOK-PROP
Chas. Fischer Spring Co., Brooklyn, [ca. 1930s].

Not a book, but a metal book stand, designed to clamp onto a user's leg for hands-free reading while lounging in an easy chair; in original box.

<-- box front, with book stand peeking out

Mills, Brenda:
MADE IN SUEDE: THE ART OF TAILORING IN SOFT LEATHER
G. Bell and Sons, London, 1973.

No need to choose between the floor-length leather evening gown and the lace-up suede hotpants -- this book promises both.

<-- front cover

Westfall, Minter J., and Michael L. May:
DAMSELFLIES OF NORTH AMERICA
Scientific Publishers, Gainesville, FL, 1996.

Why theorize about angels dancing on the heads of pins, when you can examine and compare the genital anatomy of dainty aquatic insects for 600 pages?

<-- front cover

Atwater, Constance:
TAP DANCING TECHNIQUES, ROUTINES, TERMINOLOGY
Charles E. Tuttle Co., Rutland, VT, 1973.

Includes two dozen photos of cheerful children performing Scoot Backs, Toe Points, Doll Hops, Coffee Grinders, etc.

<-- front cover

Parsons, Lydia Mary:
MRS. PARSONS' MANUAL FOR WOMEN'S MEETINGS
Macmillan Company of Canada, Toronto, 1918.

Rules of parliamentary procedure for suffragettes; with a glossary of sophisticated-sounding phrases in Latin and French.

<-- front cover

Florman, Monte:
TESTING: BEHIND THE SCENES AT CONSUMER REPORTS 1936-1986
Consumers Union, Mt. Vernon, NY, 1986.

Enthralling documentation of mid-century consumer tests conducted on lipsticks, lawn sprinklers, ballpoint pens, instant coffees, linoleum tiles, frozen fish fillets...

<-- front cover