Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustrated

Ringobells · Post by **Ringobells** » 05 Oct 2007, 12:58

By Herbert somebody I think. This was a blue hardcover version of the "Enid Blyton Book of Brownies" and as a child I was fascinated by the illustrations which I came to realise were classified as 'Art Nouveau'.

The people and creatures had an unbelievably fantastic look and effect. Haughty faced Elves (I believe) and beautiful, other-wordly females that gave the book a high-art atmosphere and enhanced the quality of the stories.

I have never forgotten that my Mother gave this away with all the paperbacks I got rid of when we moved house. I was in my early 20s and was not worried to see my Blyton books go (what a fool I was!), oblivious to the fact I would yearn to return to them later and would have to buy the red hardcover Five books etc again and pay inflated prices for books I once owned.

I should have made an exception for this book, however. I have never seen a copy again in my native Australia and given the prices that second hand book dealers are trying to impose on us for books they probably bought for little, it is galling to think that if the book were ever to be found again I would probably have to pay an unbelievable price for it.

Has anybody any of these books illustrated by Herbert whatshisname? Can you tell me how much they would go for in the current market given I have never seen one since I allowed my Mother to give it away to a charity shop years ago.

Lenoir · Post by **Lenoir** » 06 Oct 2007, 06:42

It doesn’t ring a bell with me. I see that Ernest Aris illustrated the original book, so perhaps this is the version you are thinking of:

Book of Brownies.

pete9012S · Post by **pete9012S** » 23 Dec 2018, 11:45

Rob Houghton · Post by **Rob Houghton** » 27 Dec 2018, 13:49

Its a shame I didn't see this post earlier and I doubt if the original poster is still around on the forums...but I personally think the book they are referring to would be 'The Book of Fairies' rather than 'The Book of Brownies'.

I have it in the later combined version (News Chronicle Boys and Girls Story Book Number 2) - which comprises 'The Book of Pixies' illustrated by Kathleen Nixon and The Book of Fairies illustrated by Horace J Knowles.

Unfortunately there aren't any illustrations for this book in The Cave...but Horace Knowles illustrations could definitely be described as 'Art Nouveau' and the Book of Fairies also came with a blue cloth cover.

Horace Knowles illustrated 'The Land of Far Beyond' as well as other stories, and his style is very much the same in The Book of Fairies'.

pete9012S · Post by **pete9012S** » 27 Dec 2018, 15:58

Ringobells wrote:By Herbert somebody I think. This was a blue hardcover version of the "Enid Blyton Book of Brownies" and as a child I was fascinated by the illustrations which I came to realise were classified as 'Art Nouveau'.

I think you're right Rob - the description of the 'blue hardcover' threw me - and yes the Book Of Fairies has the correct cover:

To be fair to the original poster, the two books are definitely from the same era:

Newnes published this book plus The Book of Brownies as later editions in similar format with attractive covers. The two volumes are rather "Special" in the sense that they are about the only two of the very early EB books that have survived through the years with several reprints of each. "Fairies" has the wrap-around picture and the artist is Horace Knowles who is quite well known to Enid Blyton Fans. Despite the similarity in titles, this book is not a saga as "Brownies" is but rather a collection of short stories that include such supernatural beings as Fairies (naturally), Witches, Wizards, Elves, Gnomes, Brownies and there's even one or two Giants

https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/boo ... of+Fairies" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I do hope the original poster looks in and sees your most helpful post.

Courtenay · Post by **Courtenay** » 27 Dec 2018, 17:14

pete9012S wrote: I do hope the original poster looks in and sees your most helpful post.

He/she hasn't logged in since October 2007, so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting...

Boatbuilder · Post by **Boatbuilder** » 27 Dec 2018, 17:30

He/she probably got fed up waiting for another response.

pete9012S · Post by **pete9012S** » 27 Dec 2018, 22:41

Do you think the ebay copy of Brownies I spotted be could a first edition then Rob?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Book-Of- ... q:rk:10:pf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;:

Rob Houghton · Post by **Rob Houghton** » 27 Dec 2018, 23:08

well, according to teh seller it was published in the year 1111 - so it must be!

I think it would be pretty hard to tell.

pete9012S · Post by **pete9012S** » 27 Dec 2018, 23:12

Thanks Rob - maybe one for Tony who may know how many reprints the first edition had - if any?

Rob Houghton · Post by **Rob Houghton** » 27 Dec 2018, 23:20

It looks a good bargain however, and World of Rare Books always offer good condition books in my experience.

Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustrated

Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustrated

Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustrated

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Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustra

Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustra

Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustra

Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustra

Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustra

Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustra

Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustra

Re: Probably rare Blyton that my Mother gave away - illustra