Blog Archive

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

What Is Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur in Roman Catholic Books?

Nihil Obstat & Imprimatur in Roman Catholic Books
blogpost by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

The nihil obstat and imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the nihil obstat and imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed. 
(Statement taken from the book, The Cross in the West by Mark Boesch.)

Literal Translations
Nihil Obstat: Nothing hinders, or nothing stands in the way.

Imprimatur: Let it be printed.
Imprimi Potest: May it be printed.

What Is the Roman Catholic Teaching?
Roman Catholic Canon Law 823
The Teaching Function of the Church: Instruments of Social Communication and Books in Particular


1. In order to preserve the integrity of the truths of faith and morals, the pastors of the Church have the duty and right to be watchful so that no harm is done to the faith or morals of the Christian faithful through writings or the use of instruments of social communication. 

They also have the duty and right to demand that writings to be published by the Christian faithful which touch upon faith or morals be submitted to their judgment and have the duty and right to condemn writings which harm correct faith or good morals. (Link: Canon Law 823)

Saturday, July 6, 2019

Hill-Side Flowers
by Julia Matilda Tillotson Olin
Hill-Side Flowers
Julia Matilda Tillotson Olin, author

Hillside Flowers by Julia Matilda Tillotson Olin includes engraved illustrations and many lovely poems from many sources. 

This edition has a gift inscription written with a delicate hand  on the front free endpaper: Miss Minnie C. Tuttle. From her Amityville Friends. Christmas 1876. 

Introduction by Rev. Bishop Matthew Simpson (1811-1884) of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Hill-Side Flowers was published for the Author by Carlton & Phillips, 200 Mulberry Street in 1856.  240 pages, 8.25 x 5.5 x 1 inches, 21 cm. 

Julia Matilda Olin (1814-1879) was born to Judge James and Janet Lynch Tillotson and wed to Rev. Dr. Stephen Olin in 1843. Mrs. Olin served as secretary of the New York Female Bible Society and was the first president of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, New York Branch (1869). 

Julia's literary accomplishments include both prose and poetry, and she also edited her husband's sermons which were published under several titles. 

Founder (1855) of the Hillside Chapel in Rhinebeck, New York, the connection of the book of poetry titled Hillside Flowers published in 1856 to this event is obvious (Source: The Biographical Dictionary of America, 1906).

Friday, November 16, 2018

Value Priced Christmas Sheet Music and Books on Quality Music and Books

A list of Christmas and Winter Holiday printed music at Quality Music and Books. Pre-owned, gently used copies. Unless noted, there is one copy of each listing available until sold. Prepared by Mary Katherine May. 16 November 2018.


1. A Christmas Collage Book 1: New Arrangements of Traditional Carols for the Late Intermediate Pianist by Randall Hartsell (010795) 3.99 LINK


2. A Christmas Fantasy: 7 Late Intermediate to Early Advanced Carol Arrangements by Dennis Alexander for the Piano arranged by Dennis Alexander. (013519) 3.95 LINK


3. AdvanceTime Piano Christmas Level 5: Pianistic Arrangements for the Advancing Pianist arranged by Nancy and Randall Faber. (013516) 2.95 LINK


4. Christmas Favorites for the Piano Lesson Level 5 by Tom Roed. (015231) 3.95 LINK

5. Christmas Symphony (And There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Fields) for Organ and Piano Duet by Johann Sebastian Bach, arranged by W.A. Goldsworthy. (010782) 9.95 LINK


6. Christmas at the Piano Level 4 by Jay Stewart, David Carr Glover Method. (015602) 4.95 LINK

7. Devotional Solos for Trombone B.C. (Baritone, Bassoon or Cello) by Newell H. Long and Margaret Sisson. This collection includes Christmas Selection, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, He Shall Feed His Flock (Advent), Joy to the World, Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming, and Silent Night. (015564) 9.95. LINK

8. Let's Play Christmas Carols for the Young Organist (All Organs): 8 Familiar Carols for the Young Organist with Chord Names arranged by David Carr Glover. (013522) 3.95 LINK


9. Noel: A Musical Collection of Christmas Moments Choral Book created by David T. Clydesdale and Deborah Craig-Claar. (015031) 6.95 LINK


10. Performance Plus Book 4: Digital Orchestrations for Use with General Midi: Contains Accompaniments for 6 Books. Contains 2 Midi discs. (012651) 12.95 LINK


11. Performance Plus: Holiday Favorites Book 3. (015230) 3.95 LINK


12. Piano Adventures Christmas Book Level 4 with Sightreading Stocking Stuffers by Nancy and Randall Faber. (015594) 3.95 LINK


13. Pre-Reading Christmas Carols GP301 by Jane Smisor Bastien, Very Young Pianist Library. (015229) 1.95 LINK


14. Robert Schumann: Knight Rupert [Knecht Ruprecht], Album for the Young, Op. 68, No. 12, Alfred Masterwork Edition 869. (012090) 1.50 LINK


15. Sweet Little Jesus Boy by Robert MacGimsey: A Gospel Christmas Song Sheet, Kenny Rogers Version. (013513) 7.95 LINK


16. Tennessee Christmas, Point of Grace, Performance Track (SS 3 Key) published by Word Entertainment LLC, 2008. (013841) 3.95 LINK


17. The Joy of Holiday Music: Celebrating Throughout the Year with Best-Loved Songs and Effective Piano Solos by Denes Agay. Joy Books Series. (004467) 4.95 LINK


18. The Upper Room Book of Christmas Carols Revised Edition published by Upper Room Ministries. 4 new copies available. (006407) 2.50 LINK


19. Ziggy's Christmas Book Level 3 Piano Solos by Lani Smith. (015376) 6.95 LINK


20. Silver Sleigh Bells: Novelette Descriptive Piano Solo by E.T. Paul, published 1906. Large format sheet music. (012766) 19.95 LINK

21. The Sleigh Ride: A Descriptive Piece for One Piano, Four Hands Duet by Eugene Walter. Large format sheet music published 1902. (012900) 24.95 LINK


22. Wee Sing The 10 Days of Christmas Board Book by Pamela Conn Beall, Susan Hagen and Hala Wittwer. (008202) 1.00 LINK


23. Hallelujah Chorus Piano Solo Sheet Music by G.F. Handel and arranged by John W. Schaum. Schaum Publications level 5. (014622) 1.95 LINK


24. Toyland from Babes in Toyland Vocal Solo in F by Victor Herbert and Glen MacDonough. Vintage Sheet Music. (015892) 4.95 LINK


25. The Magnificat by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi and edited by Virginia Stroh annd Burl Red for Solo Voices, Mixed Chorus and Orchestra Vocal Score. One copy. (014104) 4.95 LINK


26. The Sleigh Ride Galop de Concert by William M. Treloar. 1 Piano, 4 Hands duet. Antique sheet music published by Treloar Music Co. in 1914. (015092) 44.95 LINK


27. Snow Chase, an early-intermediate piano solo by Robert D. Vandall. (012253) 1.95 LINK

Thursday, October 11, 2018

About McLoughlin Bros Books for Collectors and Booksellers

Pleasewell Series: 5 Little Pigs
Representative Cover 
McLoughlin Bros. Children's Books
This blog post by Mary Katherine May of Quality Music and Books

Any way you look at it, McLoughlin Brothers published many children's books. They are fun to collect but hard to find in excellent condition. 

The following information is from the 1903 McLoughlin Bros. catalog and shows information on its 2-, 3, 5- and 10-cent book offerings. This information will be helpful to both collectors and booksellers in identifying and describing particular editions. You will notice that though there are books in only one series, many books appear in several series. Book size will be important in determining which series a book is in as will also printing colors.

CLICK HERE To view the entire 1903 McLoughlin Bros. Catalogue on Archive.Org.

CLICK HERE to read more about the publisher McLoughlin Bros. on Wikipedia.org.

CLICK HERE to read more about McLoughlin Bros., Pioneers in Color Printing.


The McLoughlin Brothers published their 55th annual catalogue in 1903. Products were organized by price beginning with 2-cent toy books.

In 1903, the McLoughlin catalog offered the following products: Paper and linen toy books, half-bound and bound juvenile books, card games, board games, ABC blocks, picture blocks, building blocks, backgammon boards, chess boards, scroll puzzles, novelties, paper dolls, paper soldiers, flags, lead soldiers, and pictures for framing and advertising purposes, etc. Also valentines of every description, and Easter, Christmas, New Year, birthday, and religious cards.

The publications of 1903 contained at least one blatantly racial title, the book in No. 73, Bo-Peep Series.

2-cent Books
No. 2 ABC Series
4 books
12 pages, 4-3/4x6-3/4 inches, large alphabets in red and black
1. ABC of the Apple Pie
2. ABC of Animals
3. Little Learner’s ABC
4. Baby’s Own ABC

No. 4 Hop O’ My Thumb Series
6 books
10 pages, 5-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches, printed in red and black
1. Hop O’ My Thumb
2. Blue Beard
3. Puss in Boots
4. Sleeping Beauty
5. Red Riding Hood
6. Cinderella

No. 5 Dame Trot Series
6 books
10 pages, 5-1/2x7-3/4 inches, printed in black and red
1. Five Little Pigs
2. Bo-Peep
3. Old Mother Goose
4. Dame Trot
5. Song of Sixpence
6. Old Woman Who Live in a Shoe

No. 6 Yellow Dwarf Series
6 books
12 pages, 5-1/2x7-3/4 inches, printed in red and black

No. 7 White Cat Series
6 Books
12 pages, 5-1/2x7-3/4 inches, printed in red and black

No. 8 May Bell Series
6 Books
10 pages, 5-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches, printed in red and black

No. 9 Robin Hood Series
6 Books
10 pages, 5-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches, large type printed in red and black

3-cent Books 
No. 11 Little Miss Muffet Series
6 Books
These books are bright and clever.
10 pages, 5-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches, all printed in full colors, covers in full colors and gold

Pleasewell Series
Mother Hubbard and Her Dog
This copy "Mounted on Linen."
No. 12 Pleasewell Series
6 Books. 
10 pages, 5-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches, printed in full colors
Mounted on Linen: Books that are named "mounted on linen" will sometimes show linen strings at book edges. The linen inside heavyweight paper were claimed to be untearable. 
1. The Three Little Kittens
2. The Five Little Pigs
3. The House That Jack Built
4. The Old Woman and Her Pig
5. Dame Trot and Her Cat
6. Mother Hubbard and Her Dog

No. 14 Farm Yard ABC Series
6 Books
10 pages, 6 x 9 inches, printed in colors.
An ABC book with pictures of Cattle, Poultry, Pigs, etc.

No. 15 Red Riding Hood Series
6 Books
10 pages, 5-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches, 4 of which are in full colors.
1. Cinderella
2. Robinson Crusoe
3. Little Red Riding Hood
4. Favorite Nursery Tales
5. Pauline and the Matches
6. Simple Simon

Apple Pie ABC. No. 20 Alphabet Series
No. 20 Alphabet Series
4 Books
14 pages of which 6 are in full colors, 6-1/4 x 8 inches
1. Adventures of ABC
2. Apple Pie ABC
3. Merry Alphabet
4. Jolly Animal ABC

No. 21 Wonder Story Series
6 Books
6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches
These books contain 6 full pages colored eight in plain pictures
1. Rip Van Winkel
2. Robin Hood
3. Robinson Crusoe
4. Ali Baba
5. Jack the Giant Killer
6. Alladdin

5-cent Books
No. 22 Good Two Shoes Series
6-1/2 x 9 inches
These books contain six colored pages, and six pages of pictures and text.
1. Goody Two Shoes
2. Aladdin
4. Baby’s ABC
5. The Forty Thieves
6. Children in the Wood

Domestic Animals copyright 1900
Representative Cover
No. 23 Little Animal Series
3 Books
6-3/4 x 8 inches
10 pages, 4 of which are in full colors. Covers in full colors and gold and varnished.
1. Domestic Animals
2. Wild Animals
3. Farmyard ABC

No. 24 Noah’s Ark ABC Series
6 x 9 inches
These books contain 12 pages, eight of which are in colors
1. Every Baby’s ABC
2. Little Boys’ and Girls’ ABC
3. Noah’s Ark ABC

No. 25 Kriss Kringle Series
6 Books
6-1/2 x 9 inches, 10 pages
1. Robinson Crusoe
2. Jack and the Bean Stalk
3. Apple Pie ABC
4. Baby’s ABC
5. Tom Thumb
6. Kriss Kringle

No. 26 Pearl Series
6 Books
6-1/4 x 7-3/4 inches. 10 pages, 4 of which are in full colors
1. Tiny Tot’s Treasure
2. Farmyard Frolics
3. Pets at Play
4. Little Sweethearts

No. 27 Young America Series
4 Books
6-1/4 x 7-3/4 inches. 10 pages, 4 of which and cover are in full colors.
1. Happy Hearts
2. Animal Antics
3. Mirth and Mischief
4. Childhood Joys

No. 28 Little Gem Series
6 Books
6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches
These books are excellent for small children. Each book has 4 full-color pages and 8 pages in special text. The covers are in full colors.

No. 28-1/2 Little Santa Claus Series
6-1/4 x 7-3/4 inches. 10 pages, 4 of which and the covers are in full colors.
1. Little Miss, Pretty Miss
2. Santa Claus and His Doings
3. A Visit from Saint Nicholas
4. Girls and Boys Come Out to Play

No. 29 Little Sister’s ABC
5 x 7 inches. This book contains ten colored pages and cover, all lithographed. A simple ABC book.

No. 30 Natural History Series
6 Books
6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches
These are useful little animal books. Each book has 4 full color pages and 8 pages in text. The covers are in full colors.

No. 31 Major’s Alphabet
6 x 9 inches. This book contains ten colored pages. A good alphabet book.

No. 32 Nursery ABC Simple Speller
6 x 9 inches, 12 pages. This is an easy lesson primer.

No. 33 Sunshine Series
6 Books
6-1/2 x 9 inches. 10 pages, 4 of which and covers are in full colors.
1. Three Bears
2. Silly Hare
3. Cock Robin
4. Cinderella
5. Three Little Pigs
6. Frog a Wooing Go

No. 36 Merry Christmas Series
6-3/4 x 9-3/4 inches. 10 pages of special red and black pictures and type. Covers in full colors.
1. Merry Christmas ABC
2. Baby Bunting ABC
3. Little Darling ABC
4. Playtime ABC

No. 46 Little Folks’ Series
4 Books
6-1/4 x 8 inches. Selected old fairy stories. Six pages and covers in colors.

No. 50 Little Fairy Tales Series
6 Books
6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches
Old standard fairy stories. 14 pages, 14 of which are in full colors. Covers in full colors and gold.

No. 51 Dame Dingle Series
6 – 9-1/2 inches. 8 full-color pictures.
1. Wandering Bunny
2. Dog’s Dinner Party
3. Rich Mrs. Duck
4. Cats’ Party
5. Spoilt Piggy Wiggy
6. Kings Gobble’s Feast

No. 52 Joyful Tales
6 Books
2. Cock Robin
3. Robber Kitten
4. Dame Trot

No. 55 Snowflake Series
4 Books
6-1/4 x 8 inches. For winter and Christmas time.
1. Santa Claus and His Works
2. The Robin’s Christmas Eve
3. Frisky the Squirrel
4. Hector the Dog

10-cent Books
No. 37 ABC of Animals and Nature
8-1/2 x 10 inches. 6 pages in full colors. Covers in full colors.

No. 38 Punch and Judy Series
4 Books
7-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches. 32 pages. Covers in full colors and varnished.
1. Three Little Kittens
2. The Giant Killer
3. Jingles and Joes
4. Heedless Harry

No. 38-1/2 Cozy Corner Series
4 Books
7-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches. 32 pages of special stories and pictures. Covers are in full colors and gold and varnished.

No. 39 Yankee Doodle ABC Book
6 x 9-1/2 inches. A special rhyming alphabet primer. 12 pages. Every page is illustrated with colored pictures. The large AC letters have a Star and Stripes designs in them. 17 colored pictures in the book.

No. 40 Our Little Ones ABC
6 x 9-1/2 inches. Rhyming alphabet primer. 12 pages illustrated in full colors. The ABC letters are in dark blue and black. 17 full-colored pictures in book.

No. 41 Tiny Tots ABC Book
6 x 9-1/2 inches. Special rhyming ABC primer. 12 pages illustrated in full colors. ABC letters in red and black. 17 full-colored pictures in book.

No. 42 Simple Simon Series
6 Books
6 x 10-1/2 inches. Each book contains 14 pages, 6 of which are in full colors.
1. Simple Simon
2. Robber Kitten
3. The Owl and the Fox
4. Little Soldier Boy
5. Jack and the Beanstalk
6. All About Santa Claus

No. 62 Froggie Series
3 Books
7 x 10 inches. 14 pages, 6 of which are in full colors. Cover in full colors, gold and varnished.

No. 63 Little Menagerie Series
3 Books
7 x 10 inches. 14 pages, 6 of which are in full colors, gold and varnished.

No. 54 Home Primer
91-4/ x 7-3/4 inches. Book contains 50 pictures and three alphabets, also simple reading lessons. Covers in full colors.

No. 56 Aunt Kate Series
6 Books
7-1/2 x 10-1/2 inches. Each book contains 14 pages, 6 of which are in full colors.
1. Children in the Wood
2. Aladdin
3. Red Riding Hood
4. Valentine and Orson
5. Robinson Crusoe
6. Blue Beard

No. 57 Pretty Picture Series
4 Books
7-1/2 x 10-/12 inches. Each book contains 14 pages, 6 of which are in full lithographic colors.
1. Little Darlings
2. Pretty ABC
3. Pretty Children
4. Laugh and Learn

No. 72 Our Baby’s Series
4 Books
Books contain 14 full colored pages.
1. By Land and Water
2. Around the World with Santa Claus
3. Our Baby’s ABC
4. The House That Jack Built

No. 73 Bo-Peep Series
4 Books
7 x 6 inches. Books contain 14 pages printed in full colors.
1. Mother Goose Melodies
2. Ten Little N….
3. A Visit of St. Nicholas
4. Simple Simon

No. 123 Frolic Series
3 Books
7 x 10 inches. Books contain 14 pages, 6 of which are in full colors. Covers in full colors and gold and varnished.

No. 124 Garden Series
3 Books
7 x 10 inches. Books contain 14 pages, 6 of which are in full colors. Covers in full colors and gold and varnished.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Claus August Wendell Christian Short Stories Moral Tales

Perhaps I Was Dreaming by Claus August Wendell
Augustana Book Concern, 1939
Perhaps I Was Dreaming
Rev. Claus August Wendell, author
Rock Island IL: Augustana Book Concern, 1939
51 stories
168 pages

This blog post by Mary Katherine May of Quality Music and Books.

We always thinks have changed and have become worse, or better. If you read books from other eras and times, however, you will come to discover that history does repeat itself often.

Pastor Claus wrote his thoughts in little stories that were printed in the church bulletin and the publication Lutheran Companion.  In these little bits of wisdom he covered a multitude of topics while always putting his faith and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the center. 

Click the name to read my blog article about Claus August Wendell.

Here is an example of what is found in Perhaps I Was Dreaming by C.A. Wendell.

The Chickens and the Ducklings

Once upon a time there was a great pond, and near it was a poultry farm. And there were many ducks and many hens. And the hens laid eggs and hatched them, and so did the ducks.

Now it came to pass on a certain day that a mother duck brought her brood to the water to teach them how to swim. And she had little trouble in teaching them, for they followed her gladly, floating like corks on the water.

But there was consternation on the shore, for the chickens were greatly alarmed. They ran to and fro, piping frantically to their playmates and begging them to return. “You are going to perdition,” they cried. “There is danger ahead, and the farther you go, the farther you are from solid ground. Come back!”

But the ducklings heeded them not. They paddled away with all their might, and some of them sang (as nearly as ducklings can sing),

“Are they not all the seas of God?
O farther, farther, farther sail!”

And sail they did, as far as they pleased. Then they returned.

But now the chicks would have nothing to do with them. “They are deceived by the devil,” their mother had told them. “They are an evil brood, and if you follow them, you will surely perish. Beware of them as you beware of the hawk!”

Now there was truth in what she said, for it is certain that chickens will perish if they follow the ducklings into the water.  But there was mischief in it, too; for a chicken who can not swim should not be taught to hate a duckling because he can.  Did not God make the pond as well as the dry land?  And did He not make the ducklings as well as the chickens? Do not the ducklings therefore have not as much right to the water as the chickens have to the dry land, and are they not as safe there?

And thereby hands a moral, for every duckling here is human, and every chicken too.  God bless them all, and speed thee, friend, to find the meaning of this parable. Aye, it may do thee good. pp. 67-69

Saturday, October 6, 2018

1881 Book Ads for Use as a Research Resource and Book Selling Information

1881 Book Ads for Use 
as a Research Resource and Book Selling Information
The following are advertisement pages at the end of a book published by the Religious Tract Society, London, England, 1881. 

This blog post by Mary Katherine May of Quality Music and Books.

Missionary Books
1. Madagascar and France. With some Account of the Island, its People, its Resources, and Development. By George A. Shaw.

2. Child Life in Chinese Homes. By Mrs. Bryson, of Wuchang, China.
This is a beautiful and touching account of Chinese Child Life from infancy to early manhood and womanhood. Mrs. Bryson has lived and worked for years in China, and hence her book contains nothing but accurate and first-hand information. The second part contains the Stories of a number of Chinese Children. The book gives a true insight into the ways, the joys, the sorrows of the Children of China. 

3. Old Highways in China. By Isabelle Williamson, of the London Mission, Chefoo.

4. Work and Adventure in New Guinea, 1877 to 1885. By James Chalmers, of Port Moresby, and W. Wyatt Gill, B.A. Author of "Life in the Southern Isles," & c. 
This book describes seven years of work along the South-Eastern Coast of New Guinea, the part over which the English protectorate has just been proclaimed. Mr. Chalmers knows more of New Guinea than any other European. Mr. Gill's views on the progress of Christianity and his Botanical, Zoological, and Ethnological observations are of high value.

5. Protestant Missions in India from their Commencement in 1706 to 1882. By the Rev. M.A. Sherring, M.A., LL.B. Newly revised and brought down to date. By the Rev. E. Storrow. With four maps.

6. Among the Mongols. By the Rev. James Gilmour, M.A. (of Peking). With Map and numerous Engravings from Photographs and Native Sketches. 

By-Paths of Bible Knowledge
1. Babylonian Life and History. By E.A. Wallis Budge, B.A., Camb., Assistant in the Department of Oriental Antiquities, British Museum. 

2. Fresh Light from the Ancient Monuments. By A.H. Sayce, M.A., Deputy Professor of Comparative Philology, Oxford, etc. Second Edition, revised.

3. Cleopatra's Needle. A History of the London Obelisk, with an Exposition of the Hieroglyphics. By the Rev. J. King, Lecturer for the Palestine Exploration Fund.

4. Recent Discoveries on the Temple Hill at Jerusalem. By the Rev. J. King, M.A., Authorised Lecturer to the Palestine Exploration Fund. With Maps, Plans, and Illustrations.

5. Just Published. Galilee in the Time of Christ. By Selah Merrill, D.D., Author of "East of the Jordan," & C. With Map. This book, never before issued in England, gives in small compass all that is known of the condition, cities, resources, & C., of Galilee in the days of our Lord's life on earth.