Postcards & Letters from Enid Blyton

[pete9012S]

Can anyone translate Enid's writing - especially the book title, "mystery of ?????? ???????" I'm sure I will kick myself when I hear it????

[Chrissie777]

Can anyone translate Enid's writing - especially the book title, "mystery of ?????? ???????" I'm sure I will kick myself when I hear it????

Pete, it seems to be "Mystery of Still Cottage".

[Daisy]

Holly Cottage?

[pete9012S]

It's not just me then? Looks like a job for Tony!

The Mystery of Holly Lane was published in 1953???

[Boatbuilder]

That writing certainly reads Holly Cottage. Maybe a release title for the book Holly Lane hadn't been decided when it was written as the letter is dated in the first part of the year, or the publisher thought Holly Lane was a more appropriate title with a better ring to it sometime after the letter was written.

[Daisy]

Yes, Holly Lane was published in 1953. I think John's explanation very likely.

[pete9012S]

Yes, Holly Lane was published in 1953.

Yes Daisy. Perhaps it was thought 'Burnt Cottage' and 'Holly Cottage' sounded too familiar?

[Daisy]

Could be, Pete. Was the cottage next door to "Grintriss" ever given a name? I don't recall that it was.The road was called Holly Lane, of course.

[pete9012S]

Yes, I think we may have cracked it Daisy. It would be good to learn of other Enid Blyton 'working titles' that changed before the book was published,

Except perhaps for some of the Secret Seven's!

[Rob Houghton]

Yes, I think we may have cracked it Daisy. It would be good to learn of other Enid Blyton 'working titles' that changed before the book was published,

Except perhaps for some of the Secret Seven's!

Well, there was 'Bonfire Night for the secret seven' of course!

Yes - I agree it looks like 'Holly Cottage'.

I guess everyone can read the letter quite well, but ere's my translation -


"Thank you for your beautifully written letter and all your news. I am so glad you like my stories and I will be sure to write you plenty more. Look out for Secret of Moon Castle and Mystery of Holly Cottage this year. I do hope you will soon be quite better and able to get up and run about all over the place. Good luck to you from Enid Blyton."

I'm not sure who its written to though...? Colin...? Ann...?

[pete9012S]

Thanks Rob - At first I thought it said 'Gran' but after reading your comment and the address I'm not so sure!
Nice stamp too...

[Rob Houghton]

Looks like 'Ann'

I nearly always do my capital 'a' like that!

The stamp is certainly very interesting, as by 1953 Queen Elizabeth was on the throne... so presumably Enid was using some old stamps!

[pete9012S]

The stamp is certainly very interesting..

Sure some old codger/mature forum member will be able to elucidate on that for us Rob.

[Boatbuilder]

It's interesting to note that the stamp on that letter with the head of King George VI was over 12 months after his death in February 1952.

You'll soon be able to join the ranks of the 'old codgers' Pete. Time flies as you get older.

[Daisy]

I guess Enid bought stamps by the thousand, so those would be from stock bought before the king died - although of course there would be many in circulation for months afterwards. I wonder when the first of the ones with the Queen's head were first issued.