Book of The Year 1941

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Vickie82
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Book of The Year 1941

Post by Vickie82 »

Hi All,

I have been having a sort through my old books at my Mums house, and I have come across a hard back of " Book of The Year". It doesn't make it clear as to when it was printed (to me anyway!) but I'd say 1947 as the text says printing dates and they are between 1941 and 1947.

Anyone know much about this book? I looked on this site but the contents list is slightly different to mine.

Any help or things to look at appreciated.

Thank you

Vickie
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Welcome to the forums, Vickie. There were several printings of Enid Blyton's Book of the Year. The first edition of 1941 had illustrations by Harry Rountree. Later printings were slightly abridged and had illustrations by Eileen Soper (who is best known for illustrating the Famous Five series). If yours is a 1947 edition, that would explain why the contents list is a bit different.

Enid Blyton's Book of the Year was written for teachers to use in schools and Enid Blyton was amused when she learnt that children were buying it for themselves.
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Vickie82
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Vickie82 »

Thanks.

This book is illustrated by Harry Rountree, music by Alec Rowley. Printed by Evans Brothers Ltd, London.

One of the pages says;
First printed 1941
Reprinted 1941
Reprinted 1942
Reprinted 1943
Reprinted 1944
Reprinted 1945
Reprinted 1947 (2)

Does that mean its a 1947?
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

Thanks for the further information, Vickie. Yes, your copy must date from 1947. I'm not sure why your contents page is different then. Maybe some abridging/rearranging took place even for editions which had the Harry Rountree illustrations.
"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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Vickie82
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Vickie82 »

Thanks for the info. Are there many of these around? I think mine is missing the paper cover, assuming it had one, as I can't find it amongst my other books. Its just a plain orangey-brown, no illustrations etched with just the title at the top. Would be nice to find a cover for it. :)
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

You can see the wrappers here:

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

I'm not sure how many copies are around but you could check on eBay and similar sites.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

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Rob Houghton
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Rob Houghton »

I'm selling a similar-age Book of the Year on eBay - so just out of interest, here's a link, as there are a few photos included. Is it similar to this?

Mine is a 1948 edition, so presumably any 1947 changes would be in this version.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252607379470? ... 1555.l2649
'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: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Fiona1986 »

I'm actually really disappointed to realise I have an abridged version! I was looking for the poem Autumn Fruits in mine, and went back and forwards hunting for it as it's listed in the cave... but it's not there. I have a 'revised' edition from 1952 in which 'revised' clearly means 'with bits chopped out for no reason' :evil:
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Rob Houghton »

The 'revised edition' (1950 onward) was really a completely different book. There is quite a lot missing - for example the revised version has a 'Motto for the month' whereas the original has a motto for each week, and also gives the name of the school that supplied it - which I find really interesting, as schools all around the country contributed them.

Quite a few poems are missing, as you mentioned - in the original there are generally four or five poems a month - the same with puzzles and riddles - generally four or five a month (based on one a week)

I have both versions, because they both have something to recommend them - not least the Eileen Soper illustrations in the revised edition - although I think in some ways I prefer the original illustrations drawn for the earlier edition by Harry Rountree.

I also like the fact that the first version is chunkier, and smaller than the revised edition. :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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Fiona1986
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Fiona1986 »

I might have to try to get a full copy - I'm surprised it is smaller than the revised one though, considering it contains a lot less.
"It's the ash! It's falling!" yelled Julian, almost startling Dick out of his wits...
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.


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Rob Houghton
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Rob Houghton »

The original edition is more 'novel-size' - just slightly bigger, and fairly thick, while the Eileen Soper edition is more 'annual-sized' as you know. :-)
'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: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Courtenay »

This sounds like another book I’ll just have to get — in the original version (I love Soper’s illustrations too but I’d rather have the unabridged text)... you don’t happen to have a spare one for sale, do you, Rob? :D :wink:
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Rob Houghton
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Rob Houghton »

I did have a few months ago - my old copy when I upgraded to a DW version - but sadly I sold 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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Rob Houghton
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Rob Houghton »

Not that I want you to spend money, of course, Courtenay - but here's one with DW at a reasonable price! - £9.99 and free postage.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Enid-Blyton- ... Swvspbhnse
'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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Fiona1986
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Re: Book of The Year 1941

Post by Fiona1986 »

What about me? Do you want me to spend money? :lol: Not that I can get on eBay at work... :(
"It's the ash! It's falling!" yelled Julian, almost startling Dick out of his wits...
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.


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