The Enid Blyton Society

I've also checked my copy and also see what you mean, Rob. Oddly enough, I've never noticed the use of the same two portraits before, although I've always considered the Joseph Abbey illustrations to be badly drawn and out of proportion. My own favourite FFO illustrator is Treyer Evans.

It's interesting that J Abbey used the same sketches more than once. I don't recall ever seeing any other illustrator doing that, in EB books or elsewhere, but maybe someone can prove me wrong!

Treyer Evans is a brilliant illustrator on the other hand - I like his work almost as much as Lilian Buchanan, who is my favourite. I also like the short story illustrations by Derek C. Eyles.

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Robert Houghton wrote:It's also interesting that Pantomime Cat was the last time Enid used J Abbey as illustrator for the Find Outers. Was this because he died or was ill, or was it that Enid hadnt approved of the scary looking depiction of the pantomime cat?!

I think Enid and Joseph Abbey must have been quite good friends because he drew her a picture of Mr Goon, as a gift, didn't he? So I can't imagine Enid 'sacking' him only a year after this. The picture was presented to Enid in 1948 and Abbey's final illustrations for the Mystery Series (in Pantomime Cat) were published in 1949. So perhaps Abbey moved onto something else or did in fact get ill.

Anita Bensoussane wrote:I just had a look at the Burnt Cottage illustrations in the Cave and I see what you mean!

But minus Daisy's hair ribbons!

I thought for a minute that the old lady (sorry forgot her name) in the Burnt Cottage picture was the same lasy as the drawing of Mrs Moon in the picture that Stephen posted above, but on checking them both they are ever so slightly different - only slightly though!

Poppy wrote:

Robert Houghton wrote:It's also interesting that Pantomime Cat was the last time Enid used J Abbey as illustrator for the Find Outers. Was this because he died or was ill, or was it that Enid hadnt approved of the scary looking depiction of the pantomime cat?!

I think Enid and Joseph Abbey must have been quite good friends because he drew her a picture of Mr Goon, as a gift, didn't he? So I can't imagine Enid 'sacking' him only a year after this. The picture was presented to Enid in 1948 and Abbey's final illustrations for the Mystery Series (in Pantomime Cat) were published in 1949. So perhaps Abbey moved onto something else or did in fact get ill.

I remember the picture of Goon that JAbbey sent Enid as I have a great copy of it in 'The Enid Blyton Dossier'. As you say, its dated 1948...but I find that curious, as it is obviously a study of Goon using the same pose as Abbey used on the cover of Burnt Cottage and elsewhere previously. Its true that perhaps Enid wouldn't have sacked him just after this...unless he sent her the drawing as a parting gesture!

Robert Houghton wrote:I find that curious, as it is obviously a study of Goon using the same pose as Abbey used on the cover of Burnt Cottage...

It is certainly the same pose, but I can see several discrete differences. It's easy to see when the two images are beside each other in The Enid Blyton Dossier. For instance, the paper Goon is holding in the front cover image is totally smooth, but in Enid's 'Gift-Image' it is quite creased. Also Goon's Helmet is slightly different in each portraits. The badge, and there is a slight metal tip if you look closely on the front cover image. Also, there is a strap which runs down his face in one of ths pics. Futhermore, Goon's rather bloated looking stomach varies in both pictures and so does his expression. Perhaps Abbey just based the Gift-Pic off this pose in Burnt Cottage?

Poppy, you need to get out more....

How dare you?!

"I'm just making use of my detecting skills..." as Fatty would say. "I came top in my class for it last year..."

You're always top of your class Poppy!

And bottom!

And Head Girl!

Of course!