People and Progress (Cathedral Basic Readers)
William S. Gray, Marion Monroe, and Lillian Gray
📚 Genre
Educational / Children's Literature - Catholic Elementary Reader
🏢 Publisher
Scott, Foresman and Company
📅 Publication Year
1943 (Original Cathedral Edition)
🔢 ISBN
N/A - Pre-dates ISBN system
About This Book
Part of the 'New Basic Readers' curriculum adapted for Catholic schools (The Cathedral Edition). It features short stories, poems, and informational texts designed to build literacy skills while incorporating Catholic themes or moral values. The cover features a distinctive orange cloth with a red seaplane and a blue sailing ship, symbolizing modern and historical progress.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
Approximately 480 pages
Edition
Cathedral Edition (Hardcover)
Series
Cathedral Basic Readers, Book 6 (typically used for Grade 6)
Target Audience
Children (Elementary/Middle School students in parochial schools)
Collector Information
Condition
Fair to Good. Visible fraying at the spine tail and corners, significant soiling or tanning on the cloth cover, and some structural wear consistent with heavy use in a classroom environment.
Estimated Value
$15.00 - $35.00 USD
Rarity
Uncommon. While large quantities were printed, many were discarded or worn out by school use. Finding copies with the specific Cathedral branding is more difficult than finding standard Scott Foresman readers.
Historical Significance
This series represents the mid-20th-century effort to provide religiously tailored literacy education within the U.S. parochial school system. It is a variant of the famous Dick and Jane reading program edited for a Catholic worldview.
Collector Notes
Collectors look for clean, un-marked pages and tight bindings. Because these were schoolbooks, they often contain students' names or library stamps which can decrease value. To preserve, store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to prevent further fading of the orange cloth dye.
Similar Books
Days and Deeds (William S. Gray), Paths and Pathfinders (William S. Gray), The New Streets and Roads (William S. Gray), Faith and Freedom Readers (Sister Mary Marguerite)
Notable Features
Features the 'Cathedral' branding and cross logo on the dome graphic, distinguishing it from the secular 'Dick and Jane' series by the same publisher.