Log Cabin Vintage Blog

With the celebration of Earth Day this coming Saturday, I thought it was the perfect time to chat about why buying vintage books is a great way to help the environment. I also wanted to let you know what I do as a business owner to help reduce the carbon footprint of shipping these vintage beauties to all of you. Together we can make a difference in this world - one vintage book at a time!

Thrifting for used items has always been a part of my life and as an avid reader, I have purchased secondhand books since the third grade when I saved all of my fake, school money (we spent part of the year learning about money & used fake money in class) buying all of the books from the teacher at the end of the year.  She was moving & was not taking her classroom books with her. I was thrilled to bring home a huge box of books on one of the final days of school!  - That really was the beginning of my career, I just did not know it at the time - I have never lost my love of children's books.  When I decided to start selling vintage books, I knew I needed to do what I could to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible. 

Here at Log Cabin Vintage my commitment to be as sustainable as possible has led me to do the following things:

• All of my books are purchased second hand & 99% are vintage!
• Use padded envelopes and boxes that are used - saved by friends & family.
• Use biodegradable packing peanuts & only use them when absolutely necessary to help secure books inside of a box for shipment.
• Use tissue paper made from 100% recycled materials.
• Use a thermal printer that does not require ink.

You can be assured you are helping the environment with the books you purchase here at Log Cabin Vintage.  Shop now.

According to an article published by Bookriot.com, a book’s carbon footprint may be reduced by half if it is kept out of a landfill. Here are a few great ways to do reduce the carbon footprint of each book you purchase:

• Purchase used books as often as possible – there are many great used book sellers out there offering a variety of genres of books for sale – the focus here at Log Cabin Vintage is vintage children’s books.
• Donating books – think outside the box on this one – not only do thrift stores accept most book donations, but often times places like nursing homes, churches and even local libraries (think used book sales as fundraisers for these organizations) will accept them as well.
• Share your books with others:
  • Start a book swap with your friends or co-workers.
  • Leave books in area Little Libraries – they seem to be popping up all over the place & there is nothing better than checking a Little Library and finding a book on your "To Read" list waiting for you!

Let's Make Every Day Earth Day!

October's featured author is Marguerite de Angeli.  She has local ties to the area I live in (Eastern PA) & her illustrations get me every time. I thought it would be fun to share a little bit about her & some of the books she has written and illustrated. 

Marguerite was born in Michigan in 1889, and her family moved to Philadelphia when she was only 13 years old.  It wasn't until she was married & was living in New Jersey when she really began to hone her skills as an illustrator. Before becoming an author, herself, she illustrated many children's books and was a contributor to The Country Gentleman Magazine.  She was also a singer and soloist in several church choirs in Philadelphia, having left high school to pursue her singing career.  

Over her lifetime she wrote and illustrated 27 books. The one that intrigues me the most is The Skippack School in which Christopher Dock is the school master. Anyone in our area of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, PA will recognize the name Christopher Dock as that of the local Mennonite High School. She also wrote about the Amish & addressed racial prejudice in 1946 with the publication of her book Bright April.

She has won countless literary awards and is known as the Grande Dame of Children's Literature.  At the age of 95, she was inducted into Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.  Her awards include:  The Newberry Medal for her book The Door in the Wall (1950) and The Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Bright April.  She was also a two-time Caldecott Award Nominee.  

I always enjoy finding her books when out treasure hunting.  Shop available Marguerite de Angeli children's books for sale in The Marguerite de Angeli Collection.   

Some information taken from the internet, including https://miwf.org.