The Three Golliwogs
- Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
I was thinking of merging this topic with an existing golliwog thread but there are several in different sections of the forums and some veer off onto other subjects too, so it's a bit complicated and it might be better to search the forums as Julie suggested, Alex. As well as the thread Julie mentioned, there's another one with the title 'Gollies' in Miscellaneous Blyton. Feel free to reply to anything anyone has written, even if it was quite some time ago. Discussions on gollies do sometimes get heated though!
Some threads have since been merged.
As far as The Three Golliwogs is concerned, I loved it as a child and I still think the cover of the 1970s Dean & Son book I read back then is one of the most attractive Dean covers. I remember that my sister and I read the story about the blackberry pie and cream together one day, and we were laughing so much that we literally collapsed on the floor.
I didn't see anything negative about golliwogs. On the contrary, I thought they looked jolly and friendly. When we were about 7 and 8, my sister and I asked for golliwogs as a Christmas present as a direct result of having read about them in Blyton books. And our parents had no reservations about buying them for us (it was the late 1970s).
Some threads have since been merged.
As far as The Three Golliwogs is concerned, I loved it as a child and I still think the cover of the 1970s Dean & Son book I read back then is one of the most attractive Dean covers. I remember that my sister and I read the story about the blackberry pie and cream together one day, and we were laughing so much that we literally collapsed on the floor.
I didn't see anything negative about golliwogs. On the contrary, I thought they looked jolly and friendly. When we were about 7 and 8, my sister and I asked for golliwogs as a Christmas present as a direct result of having read about them in Blyton books. And our parents had no reservations about buying them for us (it was the late 1970s).
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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- Spitfire
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
I 'discovered' and read this book for the very first time just last week, and I love it. It's brilliant Blyton - so simply written but so funny. My favourite is the Mr Tubby story. I didn't quite collapse on the floor, but I couldn't help bursting out laughing every couple of paragraphs! Wish I'd had it as a child.Anita Bensoussane wrote: As far as The Three Golliwogs is concerned, I loved it as a child and I still think the cover of the 1970s Dean & Son book I read back then is one of the most attractive Dean covers. I remember that my sister and I read the story about the blackberry pie and cream together one day, and we were laughing so much that we literally collapsed on the floor.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that the names of the golliwogs were changed - I'm not sure if what I read referred to this book, or another. The names in my 1969 edition are Wiggie, Waggie and Wollie. Does anyone know if these are the original names - and were they changed in a later edition? I've had a quick peek in the Cave of Books, but it doesn't say.
Sarah
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Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139
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Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
The original names of the Gollies were 'Golly, Woggie and Nigger - so perhaps it's not surprising that the names were changed. In more recent versions of the stories the Golliwogs have become pixies, which i think is a great shame.
As a child I loved the stories, having the same 'Dean' version that Anita mentions. I remember drawing the cover large on a piece of A2 paper and colouring it and loving the story where the gollies are all up a tree!
I certainly can't see anything wrong with Golliwogs, and I used to collect the badges from Robertson's marmalade jars.
I loved Golliwogs and owned quite a few. Because of the way they were dressed I always felt they were more important and better-off than my other toys!
As a child I loved the stories, having the same 'Dean' version that Anita mentions. I remember drawing the cover large on a piece of A2 paper and colouring it and loving the story where the gollies are all up a tree!
I certainly can't see anything wrong with Golliwogs, and I used to collect the badges from Robertson's marmalade jars.
I loved Golliwogs and owned quite a few. Because of the way they were dressed I always felt they were more important and better-off than my other toys!
'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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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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- Spitfire
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
Thanks, Robert. I think I must have read that on this website somewhere. The name change is probably one of the few updates made for a good reason! I didn't realise that the Golliwogs had become pixies in recent versions, I just presumed that the stories would not be printed at all. Golliwogs always have so much character and it's a shame how they've been booted out of the toy cupboard.Robert Houghton wrote:The original names of the Gollies were 'Golly, Woggie and Nigger - so perhaps it's not surprising that the names were changed. In more recent versions of the stories the Golliwogs have become pixies, which i think is a great shame.
Sarah
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Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139
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Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139
- Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
I bet it looked great, Robert!Robert Houghton wrote:I remember drawing the cover large on a piece of A2 paper and colouring it...
Golliwogs may be out of favour in books, on marmalade jars and in big high street stores, but they appear to be making a come-back. A few years ago there didn't seem to be any gollies anywhere, but over the last six years or so I've seen them for sale in markets, seaside kiosks, gift shops and small toyshops.Spitfire wrote:Golliwogs always have so much character and it's a shame how they've been booted out of the toy cupboard.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
Our enamel badge maker has had problems this year, so the Ginger Pop golly brooch 2010 is on hold at the moment. However Goliiwogg dolls are doing very well, and this week I've found a new craft maker who is doing a range just for us
Viv
Viv
The Ginger Pop Shop closed in Feb 2017
- Rob Houghton
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
No sooner said than done!! We actually still have the golliwog picture I drew when I was about 9 or 10, because my dad pasted it to a piece of wooden board which we still use for doing jigsaws on the other side (hense the reason I still have it!)...
'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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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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- Lucky Star
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
You're quite a talented artist Rob. Thats another nice picture I've seen from you.
As to the book I have sadly never read it and doubt I will as I think it commands quite high prices when the original comes up for sale. I certainly wouldn't want to read the version where the gollies have become pixies.
As to the book I have sadly never read it and doubt I will as I think it commands quite high prices when the original comes up for sale. I certainly wouldn't want to read the version where the gollies have become pixies.
"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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- Rob Houghton
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
It makes me wonder (tongue in cheek!) if book dealers have perpetuated the 'no gollies' 'myth' so that they can charge higher prices for books featuring gollies!!
I'm sure you could get a cheaper copy of the Dean version (which is original except for the names), if you keep your eyes peeled...just a couple of years back I bought a better-condition 'Dean' version to replace my battered copy, for just £2.00
Thanks for the comments on the picture: I always loved drawing as a child...and I still do!!
I'm sure you could get a cheaper copy of the Dean version (which is original except for the names), if you keep your eyes peeled...just a couple of years back I bought a better-condition 'Dean' version to replace my battered copy, for just £2.00
Thanks for the comments on the picture: I always loved drawing as a child...and I still do!!
'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: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
What a great picture, Rob. I'm saving that one and may well print it off! Have you thought of selling it to Viv? She would sell thousands!
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- Rob Houghton
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
Moonraker wrote:What a great picture, Rob. I'm saving that one and may well print it off! Have you thought of selling it to Viv? She would sell thousands!
Well: I'm open to offers!!
I was only 9 or 10 at the time: must have been a 'boy genius' ...wonder what happened since?
'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)
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- Eddie Muir
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
An excellent picture, Rob. I'm very impressed with your obvious talent.
'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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- Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
A lovely drawing, Rob! Thanks for posting it.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Society Member
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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- Rob Houghton
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
Thank you both.
Now, you know I expect royalties from all those who print it off!!
Now, you know I expect royalties from all those who print it off!!
'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)
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- Ming
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Re: Is this favourite slightly wrong?/The Three Golliwogs
It's a lovely picture Robert!
My copy of the book is a 2003 Award hardback called Three Bold Pixies called Peri, Patter and Pipkin.
My copy of the book is a 2003 Award hardback called Three Bold Pixies called Peri, Patter and Pipkin.
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