The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Enid used many illustrators in her books. Discuss them here.
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The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by pete9012S »

Image

I have been enjoying this excellent site thanks to Tony's tip off few months ago.
The ARMADA PAPERBACKSWebsite
This website is devoted to ARMADA BOOKS - English paperbacks for children first published in London in 1962.
http://www.armadas.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 1972 illustration above was the version I first read.It was published back in 1972 for just 20p.Mind you,20p went quite a long way in those days!
It seems amazing that we still don't know the artist for this superb cover too.


Taking another look at Ian Regan's site I wondered why he did not include any Armada 'Barney Mystery' books with all the other titles listed?

http://seriesbookart.co.uk/blyton/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by Carlotta King »

I like the cover but I'm not sure about those rocky outcrops in the background, thery make it look like they're in a foreign country or something! Yes I know we have rocky outcrops in England but the ones on this cover just reminded me of some kind of foreign wilderness like Valley of Adventure.
It would have been better with trees because they're in Ring O Bells Wood!
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Re: The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by Rob Houghton »

That was the cover I was familiar with as a child too - my sister owned the paperback, but I never actually read it in that version - I read it for the first time in the hardback edition many years later! I always loved the Armada covers - the artwork was superb and they gave a great feeling of anticipation before even opening the book. They did the job a cover should do - which is why I'm not keen on many of the modern-day covers. They don't invite you in as these did!

One thing that strikes me as looking odd in this cover illustration is the size of the well! It looks absolutely massive - much bigger and airier than I'd imagined! :lol:
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Re: The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by Fiona1986 »

It also looks extremely low to the ground. Dinah, on the left, is standing behind the wall/rim and it barely reaches her knees! I wouldn't be surprised if people had continually fallen into that well and drowned.
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Re: The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

I agree that the well is odd - and that a wood would have been more appropriate than rocky outcrops. I find many of the old Armada covers appealing, but this isn't a favourite of mine. Nevertheless, it captures an exciting moment and does indeed "invite you in", as Rob put it.
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Re: The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by John Pickup »

I have also visited John's site thanks to Tony's tip off. I had many of the early Armada books, the first one I bought was Strangers At Snowfell by Malcolm Saville. I collected most of the Find Outers series as well. Most of the Peter Archer covers are brilliant.
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Post by Lucky Star »

I too love the Armada site. But then I love Armada paperbacks. That Ring o Bells cover is the one I had as a child. Looking back on it as an adult I too am amazed that more people did not fall down that well.
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Re: The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by Rob Houghton »

Interesting that the above cover seems to be very heavily based on it's predecessor - by Mary Gernat - so perhaps we shouldn't be quite so hard on the illustrator above for making the wall so low, or the well so big!

Image
'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)



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Re: The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by John Pickup »

I was just browsing John Allsup's site and realised that I have a hardback copy of Cornish Cream by John Denton which was C8 in an Armada making it one of their earliest published books. I can't remember a thing about the story though, so a re-read is in order.
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Re: The Armada Paperbacks Site - John Allsup

Post by Kate Mary »

I have Cornish Cream by John Denton in the Armada edition but I haven't read it in 50 years so I can't remember anything about it either, John. It's on my 'to read' list too!
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