Lot of 6: Stan & Jan Berenstain Before the Bears (1970’s 6 Mass Market Paperbacks, adult family humor)
•	Author & Illustrator: Stanley Melvin Berenstain (1923-2005) •	Author & Illustrator: Janice Marian Berenstain (1923-2012) •	Publisher (5 books): 	 Dell Publishing Co., Inc. New York, NY U.S.A. 1970-2 •	Publisher (1 book): 	 Bantam Books, Inc. New York, NY U.S.A. 1971
Stanley Melvin Berenstain (1923-2005) and Janice Marian Berenstain (1923-2012) were American writers and illustrators best known for creating the children's book series The Berenstain Bears. The Berenstains were married and worked together for 59 years until Stan's death from cancer in their home on November 26, 2005.
In 1951, the couple published Berenstains' Baby Book, which dealt with the issues of pregnancy and child-rearing. Although containing practical advice, the book used humor and reminded parents not to take every situation too seriously. They would go on to publish other books on parenting, humorous, with adult themes and illustrations.
They produced together the magazine cartoon feature It's All in the Family from 1956 to 1989 which appeared in both McCall's and Good Housekeeping magazines. Each It's All in the Family drawing was a stand-alone panel with a caption gag, rather than one panel of a sequential strip, but individual panels in order depicted the complete arc (preparation, completion, aftermath) of that issue's "family experience."
They published their first book featuring the Berenstain Bears, The Big Honey Hunt, in 1962. With the support of Random House, the Bears series grew to over 300 titles in 23 languages -- still growing under their son’s (Mike Berenstain) direction.
Laugh along as the Berenstains expose what really happens between spouses, parents and children, perhaps even your interactions with the members of your family. Titles in this lot:
Be Good or I’ll Belt Ya! (1970 – Dell 1st printing Mar 1971, SBN: 440-00739-060) What really happens between parents and children. POS inside front cover & mark on spine. 128pp.
What Dr. Freud Didn’t Tell You (1963 – Dell, previously published as The Facts of Life For Grown-Ups from 3rd printing Nov. 1971. SBN: 440-09475-060) No need to be embarrassed about explaining the facts of life. POS inside front cover & mark on spine. Pages not numbered (139 pages estimated).
Education Impossible (1970 – Dell 1st printing Apr 1970. SBN: 440-02254-050) Just what is being taught in High School (when Mike was there)? POS inside front cover & mark on spine. 128pp.
Lover Boy (1958 – Dell 3rd Edition, 1st printing July 1972. SBN: 440-05092-060) Not exactly what she had in mind. Cartoons from It’s All in the Family. POS inside front cover & mark on spine. 160pp.
Bedside Lover Boy (1960 – Dell New, 2nd Edition, 3rd printing June 1972. SBN: 440-00515-060) The further amazing adventures of America’s favorite sex slob. POS inside front cover & mark on spine. 160pp.
Are Parents for Real? (1971 – Bantam, 1st printing August 1971. SBN: 553-07012-060) It’s All in the Family charts parental behavior, their strange habits, their puzzling behavior, their curious demands. POS inside front cover. 128pp.
Mass market paperbacks in high average condition. Prior Owner’s name inside front cover, adds no value. Wording on spine still legible, minor tears at edges stabilized with tape, some pages were glued back in because glue has dried. Interiors are otherwise complete, tight, clean, and text unmarked.
•	Size: 12mo – over 6¾ - 7¾” tall, 733pp(est). •	Condition: Six Good Mass market Paperbacks – Prior owner signature inside front covers (adds no value.) Always Privately Owned. Early printings of their edition.
Copyrights as above, printed between 1970-72. Printed in U.S.A. Printed before ISBNs were required, SBNs above indicates MSR as last 3 digits. LCCN not found.
Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:
Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.” Using the same term as coin collectors, “can’t guarantee it is uncirculated, but it looks very much like it could be.” Booksellers need similar word to describe this...
Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. Same sort of thing about grading as Fine above except generally used for newer publication dates for titles still in print.
Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.
Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)
Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask). Usually requires repair to be usable.
Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.
1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy for their collection.