Item Description

This version of the Handbook for Boys was published as part the official Boy Scout’s Library. This is the only handbook of the time that was not published by Doubleday, Page & Company. Meticulously selected by the Library Commission, this collection of books was known as the Every Boys Library. The handbook was one of eighty book titles that were published as a part of the collection. They sold for fifty cents per volume (sixty cents by mail), and were an affordable way for Scouts of all ages to get involved with reading popular literature of the time.

Each book from the library features a olive green, linen fabric hard cover and a printed red and black fleur de lis Boy Scout emblem over two crossed signal flags. Originally the books were sold with paper dustcovers (pictued below), although few exist today. Preceding the title page on every book is a special letter written by James E. West, Chief Scout Executive at the time, explaining the purpose of the collection and is followed by a page that documents the Boy Scout Plan.