Rockwell Makes His Handbook Premiere on the Cover of the Third Edition

So far, we’ve covered the “original,” first, and second editions of the Boy Scout Handbook on our journey through Scouting history. Today, the handbook’s third edition is taking the spotlight.

Officially titled The Revised Handbook for Boys, First Edition, this version of the handbook is sometimes referred to as the “first modern handbook,” due to its revamped layout and updated content. This first major content revision included updates on subjects like uniform wear and even outer space! Later prints introduced the proper way to wear the Scout neckerchief, which until then, had merely been optional.

Norman Rockwell’s “Spirit of America” graced the front of the third edition, making it the first of many handbooks to feature the artist’s iconic work. The cover depicted a Scout in a brilliant red neckerchief and campaign hat with profiles of American heroes set in deep blue behind him.

At a Glance: Third Edition, Boy Scouts of America Handbook for Boys

• In Publication: 1927- 1940
• Cover artwork: Norman Rockwell
• Author: BSA Editorial Board
• Copies: 3,507,129
• Cost: 50 cents
• Trivia: Aside from a special 25^th anniversary printing, the third edition of the Boy Scout Handbook was printed with green type throughout the book.

Follow BSA’s official Instagram feed each week to discover past editions of the Boy Scout Handbook as we work our way up to the 13th edition! We’ll also feature awesome Scouting gear of the past, courtesy of the National Scouting Museum. If you missed last week’s Scouting history lesson, you can catch up here.

What editions of the handbook have you used? Tell us your favorite in the comments!

For more information on the history of the Boy Scout Handbook, check out the outstanding work done by Troop 97 in Fort Collins, CO, which is a member of the Longs Peak Council.