The Mystery Series.
-
- Posts: 122
- Joined: 07 Sep 2008, 22:32
- Favourite book/series: Secret Room/Hidden House.
- Favourite character: got to be Bets
- Location: Wallasey
Re: The Mystery Series.
Just finished" Invisible Thief.So I've refreshed my memory of the illustrations.They are quite brilliant,Fatty looks just how I pictured him.I think they are really the ones I prefer.
When I'm grown up I won't forget the things I think today.
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: The Mystery Series.
Also, don't forget Charles Stewart (above) illustrated a number of books in the 1960's - and in more 'modern' times (the 1990's) Rodney Sutton (below) illustrated the entire series too.
See their work here:
http://seriesbookart.co.uk/blyton/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- Rob Houghton
- Posts: 16029
- Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
- Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
- Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
- Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham
Re: The Mystery Series.
I don't mind either of those two, as they were proficient illustrators who could draw well - a trait not always obvious in Enid Blyton illustrators like poor old J Abbey!
But my favourite of them all is still Lilian Buchanan. I wish she had illustrated more of Enid's books!
But my favourite of them all is still Lilian Buchanan. I wish she had illustrated more of Enid's books!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
- John Pickup
- Posts: 4895
- Joined: 30 Oct 2013, 21:29
- Favourite book/series: Barney mysteries
- Favourite character: Snubby
- Location: Notts
Re: The Mystery Series.
So do I, Rob. I've got all the Five Find Outer books in hardback and my favourite wrappers are Missing Man and Strange Messages, both done by Lilian Buchanan.Rob Houghton wrote: But my favourite of them all is still Lilian Buchanan. I wish she had illustrated more of Enid's books!
Society Member
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: The Mystery Series.
As much as it pains me to say this, I agree with John Pickup about an illustrator.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible I'm sure...
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible I'm sure...
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- Rob Houghton
- Posts: 16029
- Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
- Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
- Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
- Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham
Re: The Mystery Series.
mine too - I think Strange Messages is my favourite wrapper - although Missing Man comes very close!John Pickup wrote:So do I, Rob. I've got all the Five Find Outer books in hardback and my favourite wrappers are Missing Man and Strange Messages, both done by Lilian Buchanan.Rob Houghton wrote: But my favourite of them all is still Lilian Buchanan. I wish she had illustrated more of Enid's books!
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
Society Member
Re: The Mystery Series.
The first 3 mystery books only featured a wraparound picture on their dustjackets from the 1950 editions, before then the picture was restricted to the front.
So did they go back to Abbey and ask him to paint some more to cover the back and spine?
It does look as if there is a 'join' where he extended the paintings to the left. With 'Secret Room' the left side looks so unrelated to the right side that you could almost imagine he took a painting he had already done about something else and stuck it on!
So did they go back to Abbey and ask him to paint some more to cover the back and spine?
It does look as if there is a 'join' where he extended the paintings to the left. With 'Secret Room' the left side looks so unrelated to the right side that you could almost imagine he took a painting he had already done about something else and stuck it on!
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: The Mystery Series.
What a great post splodge! Thank you - have we ever discussed this before on the forums or in the Journal.
I have a feeling Tony's bibliographies must surely mention this little known fact?
Regards
Pete
I have a feeling Tony's bibliographies must surely mention this little known fact?
Regards
Pete
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: The Mystery Series.
Here are the pre-1950 covers before they were expanded - has this been discussed on the forums or in the Journal before? I love it when I discover something new!
The Cave shows the 1950's editions of the first three books in greater detail:
https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/fiv ... outers.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Cave shows the 1950's editions of the first three books in greater detail:
https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/fiv ... outers.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- Daisy
- Posts: 16632
- Joined: 28 Oct 2006, 22:49
- Favourite book/series: Find-Outers, Adventure series.
- Location: Stoke-On-Trent, England
Re: The Mystery Series.
The first two look as if the back always belonged to the front! I wonder if the artist did actually do the whole thing to begin with but only half was used? I agree Secret Room does look a bit different though.
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.
Society Member
Society Member
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: The Mystery Series.
Yes, Daisy. When it's pointed out to you and you look at the two halves of the tree it seems as if the artist has added to the original front cover.
How many here knew about this? It's a revelation to me - although that's not saying much!
How many here knew about this? It's a revelation to me - although that's not saying much!
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- Lucky Star
- Posts: 11496
- Joined: 28 May 2006, 12:59
- Favourite book/series: The Valley of Adventure
- Favourite character: Mr Goon
- Location: Surrey, UK
Re: The Mystery Series.
I didn't know about it but like you Pete I find it fascinating.
"What a lot of trouble one avoids if one refuses to have anything to do with the common herd. To have no job, to devote ones life to literature, is the most wonderful thing in the world. - Cicero
Society Member
Society Member
- Boatbuilder
- Posts: 8124
- Joined: 29 May 2018, 20:06
- Favourite book/series: Adventure, Famous 5, Secret Seven, Five Findouters
- Location: Carlton Colville, Suffolk.
- Contact:
Re: The Mystery Series.
From my own experience of working with the printing industry when I was a buyer, I would think the artwork may have been done as one complete piece to start with but the publisher decided that they only wanted to use the front part of it as they wanted the wrapper to be in keeping with the other books in the series.
For whatever reason when they decided to go with the full picture wrapper, the print house would have been asked to replace the plates and it was probably they who were responsible for the mismatching. It looks like they amended the films used for making the printing plates rather than produce a completely new set of films from the original artwork, so it was probably all down to keeping the additional costs to a minimum.
I can't see the artist being responsible for such differences.
For whatever reason when they decided to go with the full picture wrapper, the print house would have been asked to replace the plates and it was probably they who were responsible for the mismatching. It looks like they amended the films used for making the printing plates rather than produce a completely new set of films from the original artwork, so it was probably all down to keeping the additional costs to a minimum.
I can't see the artist being responsible for such differences.
"You can't change history as that won't change the future"
John's Pictures of Suffolk - https://suffolk-world.com/
Society Member
John's Pictures of Suffolk - https://suffolk-world.com/
Society Member
- pete9012S
- Posts: 17649
- Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:32
- Favourite book/series: Five On A Treasure Island
- Favourite character: Frederick Algernon Trotteville
- Location: UK
Re: The Mystery Series.
https://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/shop.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;Enid Blyton: An Illustrated Bibliography, Part 2 (1943-1952)
by Tony Summerfield
Price: £18.55
Available to Society members only.
As I expected, Tony lists and explains all these cover changes in The Illustrated Bibliography part 2 1943-1952.
The level of research and detailed explanations in this work make it a must for the genuine Blyton collector.
Tony mentions two other very popular series of books that received the same additional cover work around the same time too.
If you haven't already, why not find out more by treating yourself to a copy of this essential guide for the serious enthusiast.
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -
Society Member
Re: The Mystery Series.
The strange thing to me about these three covers is that the smaller ones make more sense than the wraparound ones.
In Burnt Cottage it was an outhouse that was on fire. This is easier to imagine in the smaller picture than the larger one which includes a smaller cottage nearby, emphasising the large size of the one on fire.
In Disappearing Cat the panorama reveals a cat-house much larger than I imagined. I mean it's almost as big as Fatty's shed!
And what is that thatched cottage doing adjoined to the house with the Secret Room? 'It looked a lonely and desolate place. The house itself was large, high, and rambling, and had two or three absurd little towers.'
In Burnt Cottage it was an outhouse that was on fire. This is easier to imagine in the smaller picture than the larger one which includes a smaller cottage nearby, emphasising the large size of the one on fire.
In Disappearing Cat the panorama reveals a cat-house much larger than I imagined. I mean it's almost as big as Fatty's shed!
And what is that thatched cottage doing adjoined to the house with the Secret Room? 'It looked a lonely and desolate place. The house itself was large, high, and rambling, and had two or three absurd little towers.'