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An incredible 1954 vintage baby memory book documenting one child’s life from birth through elementary school. Unlike most surviving baby books, this example contains an exceptional amount of original memorabilia, handwritten memories, photographs, amusement park tickets, travel souvenirs, and family history.
The book follows Monty Wayne Durham, born February 13, 1954, and records many milestones throughout his early childhood.
Included are original handwritten family entries, school portraits, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm souvenirs, airline memorabilia, travel memories, Joshua Tree National Monument ephemera, and many other personal items that make this an outstanding example of mid-century Americana.
The original decorative presentation box is also included.
This is a wonderful piece of family history and would make an excellent addition to collections of:
* Mid-century Americana
* Vintage ephemera
* Disneyland memorabilia
* Knott’s Berry Farm collectibles
* Family genealogy
* Scrapbooks
* Baby books
* Childhood memorabilia
* Travel memorabilia
* Paper collectibles
Size is 8.5 inches x 7 inches
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Itemized Contents
Book
* Vintage “The Story of Our Baby” memory book
* Original decorative cloth-covered binding
* Original matching presentation/storage box
Birth Information
Records include:
* Baby’s full name
* Birth date
* Birth time
* Hospital
* Parents’ names
* Doctor
* Family genealogy
* Grandparents’ names
Family History
Includes handwritten information for:
* Mother
* Father
* Grandparents
* Relatives
* Early family memories
Original Photographs
Includes multiple original snapshots plus:
* Kindergarten portrait
* First Grade portrait
* Second Grade portrait
* Third Grade portrait
* Fourth Grade portrait
* Fifth Grade portrait
* Sixth Grade portrait
* Seventh Grade portrait
Original Disneyland Memorabilia
Includes original Disneyland items such as:
* Disneyland A-B-C attraction coupon ticket book
* Mark Twain Steamboat attraction ticket
* Handwritten Disneyland memory
Original Knott’s Berry Farm Memorabilia
Includes:
* Ghost Town & Calico Railway ticket
* Handwritten memories of the visit
Airline Memorabilia
Includes:
* Vintage United Airlines children’s ticket/brochure
* Handwritten account of first airplane trip
National Park Memorabilia
Includes:
* Joshua Tree National Monument admission ticket
* Handwritten description of the visit
Childhood Memories
Handwritten entries include topics such as:
* First visitors
* Gifts received
* Cards and telegrams
* Family memories
* School experiences
* Early vacations
* Childhood adventures
Additional Ephemera
Includes various original attached memorabilia and souvenirs throughout the book.
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Highlights
✔ Original 1954 family memory album
✔ Numerous handwritten entries
✔ Original Disneyland memorabilia
✔ Original Knott’s Berry Farm souvenir
✔ Vintage United Airlines memorabilia
✔ Joshua Tree National Monument ticket
✔ School portraits spanning Kindergarten through 7th Grade
✔ Original presentation box included
✔ Wonderful example of 1950s–1960s American family history
⸻
Notes
This is an original completed family memory book and is being sold as a collectible historical keepsake. It offers a fascinating glimpse into childhood, family life, travel, and popular attractions in Southern California during the 1950s and early 1960s. The combination of handwritten memories, original photographs, and authentic amusement park and travel ephemera makes this a particularly desirable example for collectors of vintage paper, Disneyana, Americana, and family history archives.
