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Julie2owlsdene
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Re: Sad News

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

Very sad indeed.

I remember him well from the E.B Days, and have bought from his stall too. He was always smiling, such a lovely person. Condolenses to all his family.

R.I.P.

8)
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Rob Houghton
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Re: Sad News

Post by Rob Houghton »

He was such a nice guy - bought quite a few things from him. Condolences to his family.
'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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Moonraker
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Re: Sad News

Post by Moonraker »

Yes, little did we know that we wouldn't see him again after the last Society Day. His prices were extremely generous, which I believe didn't gain approval from some of his fellow dealers.
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shadow
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Re: Sad News

Post by shadow »

I remember visiting his stall about six times wondering whether to get more books. Looking at the prices on the other stalls I realised I definitely should! He was so nice and there was no hard sell, I can't believe that should there be another society day, he won't be there.
If I could live here on this secret island always and always and always, and never grow up at all, I would be quite happy
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Eddie Muir
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Re: Sad News

Post by Eddie Muir »

One of the books I bought from Colin on 14th March at the Lewes Book Fair was the 1992 facsimile of the first edition of Five on a Treasure Island. I paid him £7.50 for a mint copy which was excellent value. Earlier in the week I had seen a copy in a Lewes book shop for £15.00. Colin's prices were always very fair.
'Go down to the side-shows by the river this afternoon. I'll meet you somewhere in disguise. Bet you won't know me!' wrote Fatty.

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Moonraker
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Re: Sad News

Post by Moonraker »

In the current Malcome Saville journal, Acksherley! 57, there is an interesting article about Colin that maight be of interest to you. Click here to read it. Of note is the reference to Enid Blyton Society Days. There is also a mention that Malcolm became editor of Sunny Stories with his first edition dated 1 November 1954.
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Sad News

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

A nice tribute to Colin Harding. Thanks, Nigel.
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Katharine
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Re: Sad News

Post by Katharine »

An interesting article. I noted that he was a teacher. Presumably not one of the anti Blyton style - I wish I could have met a teacher like him when I was at school.

I can't see the bit about him editing Sunny Stories though.
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Daisy
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Re: Sad News

Post by Daisy »

Malcolm Saville became the editor of Sunny Stories Katharine.
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Re: Sad News

Post by Moonraker »

Katharine wrote:I can't see the bit about him editing Sunny Stories though.
No, this was in a separate article, Katharine. Sorry, I didn't make that clear. It was included in an article about an Aberdeen newspaper, The Children's Express.
Malcolm Saville moved back to Newnes and became editor of Sunny Stories with his first edition dated 1 November 1954. We can conjecture that the experience he gained in editing Children's Express helped him with his own children's comic. It may even be that it helped him to get the job. Children's Express continued with a new editor. It was Arthur Groom, a well-known writer for young children who was also a regular contributor to othe Kemsley titles as as the British Library archive grows then maybe we will find more of his work.
If you want to read more, you will have to join the Society!
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Katharine
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Re: Sad News

Post by Katharine »

Thanks Nigel, I'm glad it wasn't me not reading it properly. :D

I'm afraid I've only read one Malcolm Saville book so far, which left me feeling 'underwhelmed', so I won't be signing up just yet. Maybe I'll be converted after I've read some more by him.
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Lucky Star
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Re: Sad News

Post by Lucky Star »

A very nice tribute to a very nice man. Thanks for the link Nigel.
"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

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Eddie Muir
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Re: Sad News

Post by Eddie Muir »

Thanks for the link, Nigel. As I said in an earlier post, I bought a book from Colin at Lewes Book Fair a few days before he died and he was as jolly as ever.
'Go down to the side-shows by the river this afternoon. I'll meet you somewhere in disguise. Bet you won't know me!' wrote Fatty.

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Viking Star
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Re: Sad News

Post by Viking Star »

I've very belatedly seen this. Colin was lovely guy. Rest in peace Colin.
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Re: Sad News

Post by Moonraker »

Great to see you posting, Viking Star! :D
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