The Big Little Book Club

The Big Little Book Club

The Big Little Book Club began in January of 1982. In that year, six issues of The Big Little Times, the club's bimontly newsletter, were published by John Stallknecht. All issues from 1983 through December 2011 were published by Larry Lowery, the President of the BLB Club and Editor of The Big Little Times newsletter. When Larry took over the Club in 1983, he established a wallet-size club card for each member. On the card is a BLB whose title is reserved for the member's name. Titles were given out in the order of their production. At its peak, over 1,000 enthusiasts became members in the Club. When the total reached 1000, the Club numbering system, by necessity, recycled the book title/numbering system.

The club served as a conduit of ideas for collectors and dealers. It helped individuals make contacts with other individuals. And it often helped collectors find elusive books at reasonable prices.

Once in a while the club held a meeting at a toy-and-collectibles show. In the past more than 20 meetings were held in California, Texas, and Maine.

To see photos of Club Members and Club meetings, click here: Photos

After 30 years, the Club will change somewhat in 2012. The Club's bimonthly newsletter, The Big Little Times, will be published semi-annually (issues will be published in June and December). This website will continue and be updated regularly. And if you have questions about BLBs, you can contact Larry Lowery at larry@biglittlebooks.com - or write to:

The Big Little Book Club

P.O. Box 1242

Danville, CA 94526

To join the Club, the membership cost for 2012 is $12.00 (Canada is $16.00). With your membership you will receive 2 issues of The Big Little Times, one in June and one in December.

Over this long history of the Club, 180 issues of The BigTThe Big Little Times were published. Each issue contained articles on one or more BLBs plus researched information from various collectors. Below are some samples of the most recent issues:

Sample Newsletters (.pdf format)

June (Summer) 2012 (7.7MB)
Featured Article: Buck Roger and Jane Arden (and more!)
November/December 2011 (4.3MB)
Featured Article: The Nancy Big Little Books (1944 and 1948)
September/October 2011 (12.1 MB)
Featured Article: The Barrymore's Little Big Book (Saalfield, 1935).
July/August 2011 (4 MB)
Featured Article: The Jane Withers Big Little Books (Whitman, 1935 and 1938).
May/June 2011 (3.3 MB)
Featured Article: TheWill Rogers Little Big Book (Saalfield, 1935).
March/April 2011 (3.7 MB)
Featured Article: The Our Gang Big Little Books (Whitman 1934 and 1948)
January/February 2011 (4.2 MB)
Featured Article: The Laurel and Hardy Little Big Book (Saalfield, 1934).
November/December 2010 (13.1 MB)
Featured Article: The radio and cereal premiums related to Big Little Books and similar books (1930s and 1940s).
Sept/October 2010 (7.7 MB)
Featured Article: The Walt Disney feature-length film BLBs (Whitman, 1930s and 1940s).
July/August 2010 (1.1 MB)
Featured Article: Hap Lee's Movie Gags BLB (Whitman, 1935).
May/June 2010 (2.5 MB)
Featured Article: Chandu the Magician (Saalfield, 1935).
March/April 2010 (4.6 MB)
Featured Article: The radio-related BLBs (1930s to 1960s).
January/February 2010 (1.1 MB)
Featured Article: Curley Harper at Lakespur Little Big Book (Lynn Book, 1935).
November/December 2009 (16.4 MB)
Featured Article: Masked Riders in BLBs (1930 to 1980s).
September/October 2009 (1.2 MB)
Featured Article: The Dime Action Novels (Fawcett, 1941).
July/August 2009 (14.6 MB)
Featured Article: The Mask of Zorro BLB (Chronicle Books, 1997).