At San Francisco's Alemany flea market, we recently picked up a clean copy of "The Big Book of Real Trucks," a children's book published in 1950, with superb illustrations by George J. Zaffo. We didn't have this book when we were kids -- the pictures seemed familiar, but we're a '67 model, so this would have been a few years before our time. Nevertheless, Zaffo's illustration work is timeless, both as a fine example of his craft, and as a window on midcentury industrial design.
We've scanned the whole book for your viewing pleasure.
LINK:
The Big Book of Real Trucks (1950)
PREVIOUSLY:
"Flight thru Instruments" and the Fine Art of Instructional Illustration
The Intimate Industrial Illustrations of Frank Soltesz
I had that book when I was a kid. I loved it. Thanks for scanning and posting it.
Posted by: Ethan | 21 January 2009 at 11:36 AM
I totally remember this book as well. I'm a 1966 model but the copy of the book that I had wasn't much different than this one. Being a transportation nut all my life I have great memories of this book and ones like it.
Thanks for sharing!
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Posted by: taleplainue | 28 January 2009 at 08:14 PM
I used to check out this book and "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go" every single week from the Pittsford Village Library for about three years. I can't begin to describe the warm feelings that seeing this brings.
Posted by: Olyoop | 10 February 2009 at 02:46 PM
Shoot, I may have had this...I know I had something illustrated by this guy because the name "George J. Zaffo" is setting off alarm bells in my head. Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Scott Mercer | 18 February 2009 at 01:32 PM
Too bad so many of these old books are destined for the trash, if not there already:
http://www.dynamist.com/weblog/archives/002969.html
http://bookshopblog.com/2009/02/14/cpsia-book-banning-in-the-guise-of-safety/
Posted by: Virginia Postrel | 19 February 2009 at 01:45 AM
I've been looking at new options for Dr.MOZ's studios in 2010, but now it's so clear after seeing the double-decker Greyhound. Why carpool to an office with rotating drivers every week when the office can pick-up workers and park in front of a different employees house every week?
Thank you Telstar Logistics for inspiring the next generation of workplace transportation ...commuta-telling!
Posted by: Dr.MOZ | 09 March 2009 at 11:29 PM
It is great that people are thinking about the environment and working to make the world a safer place. Not only the materials that you are using on your home are safe for the environment but dump trucks have come a long way since the earlier models. We are learning and expanding and coming up with a wide range of safer more effective vehicles for the work force. I think it is great that many auto manufacturers are turning to hybrid vehicles to protect the environment and now they are even using hybrid dump trucks.
Posted by: Boom Trucks | 05 May 2009 at 09:09 PM
heheh, this boom is really with beautiful illustrations. Some of the best I have seen. It is quite hard to find such good painters nowardays.
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Posted by: Cheap Computers | 27 May 2009 at 06:53 AM
That is an awesome find, and thanks so much for sharing some of the pages with us, its amazing how well it has been looked after.
Posted by: Sue | Vehicle Financing | 05 August 2009 at 01:39 AM
Thats a great book, I have to say that I really love the old styled cars and truck, don't get me wrong I do like the look of modern cars as well.
Posted by: Susan Trade Ins | 03 September 2009 at 01:59 AM
Please help me find a book I helped Mr Zaffo illustrate. My name is in the book as doing so. Charles Otto. My father built his studio. The book in question has ,trains ,airplanes trucks. I believe a blue and white cover. My e-mail is [email protected]
Posted by: charles otto | 07 September 2009 at 06:22 PM
those are the trucks I remember growing up to. The classic trucks that always made your heart pund with excitement when u saw them driving by,
Posted by: digger derricks | 30 September 2009 at 04:17 PM
t is great that people are thinking about the environment and working to make the world a safer place. Not only the materials that you are using on your home are safe for the environment but dump trucks have come a long way since the earlier models.
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Posted by: Western Civilization Dissertation | 06 January 2010 at 03:24 AM
I had this book what a read!
Posted by: Shower Stalls | 14 January 2010 at 03:26 PM
I think it's a children's book but it's really good!
-James
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