Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

The books! Over seven hundred of them and still counting...
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Rob Houghton
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Rob Houghton »

Just to finish my mention of 'The Birthday Book' - since its not in the cave, I thought a few people might like to see mine, which arrived today. Its in very good condition (1959 edition) and is the only one I've ever seen for sale on eBay. I love the fact that each day has a Blyton quotation to match the time of year.

Not great photos, as I was trying to get it clear enough to read, but failed!! :lol:

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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John Pickup
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by John Pickup »

That looks like a wonderful little book, Rob. Bet you're pleased with that.
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Daisy
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Daisy »

Seeing the Birthday Book reminds me that I think I possessed one once! It would be about 1951 or so I imagine, but I can't be sure. Sadly, like so much of my collection of paperbacks like Sunny Stories and the "School Friend" which we (my sisters and I) had on a regular basis, they didn't survive house moves.
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.

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Rob Houghton
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Rob Houghton »

The first one came out in 1955. :-) They are just slightly bigger than the Enid Blyton diaries, but have slightly thicker pages. :-D Yes - very pleased with it, as its all a part of my 'one off' collection - one Famous Five pocket watch, one diary, one 'Noddy Tall book', one Bestime Famous Five jigsaw etc...

...although I'm not necessarily staying at one if the price happened to be right! ;-)
'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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Lucky Star
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Lucky Star »

Looks lovely Rob. A nice little addition to your collection.
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Daisy
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Daisy »

I think I had the diary, then... I was a bit too old for the birthday book in 1955 - doing A levels!
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.

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Kate Mary
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Kate Mary »

That is a lovely item to own Rob, I've never seen one before.
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Looks like a super item in great condition. I love the idea of a Blyton quotation for each day.
"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."
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Rob Houghton
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Rob Houghton »

The quotations are mainly from Enid's poems.

today's quotation is -

"On the hills are baby rabbits, furry as can be,
They all come out and sit around, and want to play with me!"

:D
'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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sixret
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by sixret »

Never heard or seen the book before.

Thank you for the photos, Rob. Well done! :D
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pete9012S
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by pete9012S »

Image

BOM THE LITTLE TOY DRUMMER

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... oy+Drummer" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An interesting little book with a very comprehensive review/overview from Terry Gustafson
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

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pete9012S
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by pete9012S »

Image Image
I noticed this book published in 1942 was issued many years later - paperback edition 1977..I haven't seen many of the 1977 paperback editions about.

http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... 1#reprints" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Image
The Amber Storybook (1980) cover by Marilyn Day,internal illustrations by Angie Sage seems to include the same content as The Happy Storybook.
http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/book ... hp?id=2126" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane -

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Rob Houghton
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Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Rob Houghton »

I have the original with dust wrapper. One of the few 'happy/gay/bright/' series I have in a wrapper. :-)
'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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Tony Summerfield
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Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Tony Summerfield »

That 1977 reprint by White Lion is actually a hardback (black cloth boards with a dustwrapper), Pete. When I published my illustrated Bibliography Part 1, which has the Happy Story Book in it, I didn't know that edition by White Lion existed - or for that matter any Blyton book published by White Lion. It is the only copy of that book that I have ever seen and the back of the wrapper tells us to look out for the Friendly Story Book, and this one I have never seen - does it exist I wonder!
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Rob Houghton
Posts: 16029
Joined: 26 Feb 2005, 22:38
Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
Favourite character: Snubby, Uncle Robert, George, Fatty
Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: Personal Gems From The Cave Of Books

Post by Rob Houghton »

Yes - I saw the clown cover (hardback with wrapper) on eBay a few months ago. I was surprised to see it as I didn't know it existed. :-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENID-BLYTON-H ... xyrrpTh60q
'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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