Hand-made Yearbook from 4th Grade Class in Upstate New York, 1932 with notes on the importance of this fleeting moment of childhood

[Primary School] [Scrapbook] Hand-made 4th grade class yearbook from 1932 at Frank M. School in Johnson City, NY. Filled with handwritten personal essays from numerous students and 33 original silver gelatin print photographs, 2.75 in x 2 in. Large color drawing in crayon on front cover of a striding figure in profile holding a candlestick. "4A Action" hand-lettered below. 12 x 9 in. Bound with 2 metal rings. Written on first page "Copywright [sic] by June Moore - Editor / Jack Phillips - Business Manager". "Record of Happy Days / Oh, children dear, if you will look, Within the pages of this book, One every leaf you'll find a space, Where a paragraph or a poem has been placed." 23 individual photos of students with a short handwritten inscription by their image, giving their name and a few short lines on their character. "James is a peppy little fellow, And is always quite a joy, With his smiling face and happy words, to every girl and boy." "Marion is always making fun, She is always fooling everyone, She is always playing funny games, And she sometimes play them when it rains." "Angel is a little Greek boy, Who is always full of joy, He tries in various places, And usually wins the races." "I know a boy and Billy is his name, And he's a Dutchman just the same, though to him it doesn't matter, I wish he was much fatter." Also photographs of beloved teachers and the principal, who is described thus: "She is a very loving principal and all the children praise her...My opinion is that everyone should love her."

Several essays note the importance of documenting this fleeting moment of childhood. "When I grown to be old and feeble, I will have a clear picture of my class and I...These memories I will keep in my mind until I can't do such things." "Memories' Dreams / From a broad picture in my mind I see my classmates, and I having a picture taken on the green lawn east of our Home Library where we spent the latter days of our 4 Grade. We have made this year book so when we become old men and women we can look in this little book and remember in our minds the dreams we used to play. Also we will see our childhood days. As we go on...we enjoyed many various moments in there making small as this little book is. It is the nearest thing to our hearts. Many times when we are alone we will sit and play the games we did long ago, wishing that the dreams would come true. So now dear children, do not hesitate in making a book such as this for it brings back the memories of our childhood says." Sections labeled in cut out block lettering: Stories and Poems, Geography, and Arithmetic. 5 photographs of the students in various school events and clubs. Photos of the Boys Club and the Girls Club. "We we get old we will wish we were young to think of the good times we used to have. I wish I could stay in school all my life, but I think it is impossible." Entries on updates throughout the school year and a selection of material they studied. "Our class his having a contest. We all made a bird house, then we painted it. These four you see in the picture won the prizes. The laughing little boy won the first prize. This boy is now in bed with rheumatic fever." Includes student writing assignments on "My Surprise," "A Robin's Breakfast," "My Dogs," and "An Accident." Some letter writing assignments are dated in April 1932. Many of the essays are written by different students on the same topic, such as "Why I shouldn't Interrupt". "The reason I shouldn't interrupt is because it isn't polite. Also the person you are interrupting may have something interesting to say." Section on Geography with several short essays on Chinese culture, including tea, architecture, shoemaking, and growing rice. "On my imaginary trip [to China] we learned how to make rice cakes. Here are a few ideas how to make them. Firs they take rice grains and drop them into a huge bowl...after a while flour is made." Also essays about imaginary trips to Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Switzerland. First two pages detached. Chipping to edges of some album pages. Few small tears around edges of drawing on front cover. In good to very good condition.