A couple of Christmases ago, I posted a list of Vintage Playground Books as potential gifts for the playground-obsessed. Since then, some of them have become quite expensive and difficult to obtain. I like to think that's because of you, dear readers, and your hunger for the innovation shown in these mid-century titles.
So for the last year I've been working on obtaining rights to some of the best (tracking down copyright holders from the 1960s is no easy task) so that they will once again be readily available! I'm really excited to launch this holiday season with a classic among classics, the if-I-could-take-only-one-playground-book-to-a-desert-island-I'd-take-this-one Planning for Play by Lady Allen of Hurtwood, first published in 1968.
The hardcover version of Planning for Play is currently unavailable on amazon, and the cheapest price for the softcover is $60. But you can now get a digital file, pdf with double spread page views as shown above, for just $6 right here at Playscapes. It shows the entire 140 pages of the original with its 176 photographs, illustrations and plans (click on the above images to see larger versions in which the text is legible).
I haven't used any fiendish Digital Rights Management techniques; once you've downloaded the file it is yours, just like a physical book is, to print or loan if you wish but not to copy and hand out. Please remember that this book is still under copyright protection, for which I've purchased publication rights and must also pay royalties; your respect for the time and expense of the original copyright holder as well as my own is very much appreciated. (If you need to convert the pdf to other ebook formats like epub or mobi, try Calibre, which is a free download).
As always, I make this launch with trepidation due to my limited tech skills. If there are glitches please be patient, and do stay tuned for more Playscapes Press vintage playground classics available in early 2012!
WONDERFUL!! This is a fantastic book. I highly recommend it and encourage all to download a copy. Lady Allen of Hurtwood is a true champion of children and a legendary inspiration. I got a Tshirt at the IPA (International Play Assn.) conference in Wales this summer emblazoned with her quote: "Better a broken arm than a broken spirit." I have to be careful where I wear it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for making this available.
Great stuff - have ordered and am looking forward to reading it again (spent an hour or 2 at the Children's Play Info Service in London perusing it a few years ago). I'm reviewing Barbara Hendricks' book Designing for Play (2nd ed) - will be interesting to compare & contrast.
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