I found this stack of booklets recently; the first seven were published by the Trail Blazers’ Publishing Co., and the last two by W. H. Harper. I assume the two companies were the same. All are from 1943. I found very little about them online, except that there was also a “Trail Blazers Almanac” for many years. I post them here in appreciation of their lively two-color covers.

Drawings of different military aircraft, as well as “U. S. Army Aviation Badges.”

A pictorial guide to army insignia.

The same for the navy. Also includes the navy pay scale, from ensign to admiral.

Each page is a grid of 60 dots. I guess that saves you the trouble of drawing them.

Simple origami.

Card, word, guessing, and other indoor amusements. I’d never heard of Jack Horner: “Blindfold two players. Give each player five marshmallows and tell them to feed each other. This is great fun for all.”

The title promises twice that these are wholesome. Games include Swat the Bear, Hop Shove, Hook On, Red Lion, and Nose Jacks. Most are new to me, but they do seem relatively wholesome.

The game later marketed as Battleship. This version is smaller and cheaper.

The rules for football, baseball, tennis, hockey, and other sports. More importantly, instructions on how to lay out the playing field. There’s even a plan for a ping pong table.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)