The Famous Five Book of Adventure

The books! Over seven hundred of them and still counting...
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pete9012S
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The Famous Five Book of Adventure

Post by pete9012S »

My book arrived today and I got that familiar feeling of excitement I experienced many years ago when receiving a new Famous Five book.

I like this book and would have been very happy indeed if a book like this was given away free when I was little.
I love examining the lovely Eileen Soper cover and comparing it with the other books it has been used on to scan it for minute differences.


The short stories included give a nice introduction to the Famous Five for any readers that have yet to encounter them.
Two illustrators are featured in the book..


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Eric Parker 1960 - not 1950 as listed in The Famous Five Book Of Adventure..

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Eileen Soper



ImageImage

I have spotted some differences in the artwork between this and the original Demon's Rocks cover.
How many can you spot?

Image
This image seems to have been used a lot lately. Has it been used anywhere else?
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Anita Bensoussane
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Re: The Famous Five Book of Adventure

Post by Anita Bensoussane »

pete9012S wrote:I have spotted some differences in the artwork between this and the original Demon's Rocks cover.
How many can you spot?
Glancing quickly, I've spotted three major changes. It's more fun if we take it in turns to list one at a time, so I'll just mention that the horizon has been lowered.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.

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Lucky Star
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Re: The Famous Five Book of Adventure

Post by Lucky Star »

The seabirds are either missing or not as noticeable.
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Nick
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Nick »

Colouring of the sky has altered too.
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Moonraker
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Moonraker »

The wave formation is different.
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Courtenay »

Is it? It looks to me like it's just been cut off in the newer cover by the horizon having been moved lower. Otherwise, the waves that are still included look pretty much the same.
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Rob Houghton »

The biggest thing I notice is that the colour is totally different. Its a lot more mellow/warm in the original, and a bit too bright and garish and 'colder' in the newer version.
'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: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by IceMaiden »

Timmy's tail is shorter and thinner.
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Moonraker »

Courtenay wrote:Is it? It looks to me like it's just been cut off in the newer cover by the horizon having been moved lower.
It has. It's still a difference. :D
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Courtenay »

Which someone else had already pointed out, if you look. :wink:
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Moonraker »

I've looked at all the posts and I can't see that anyone else has mentioned it. :?
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Courtenay »

Anita mentioned that the horizon had been lowered. :wink:
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
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Nick
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Nick »

I do wonder if in one version the editor has gone for a sunny feel and in the other to give a sense on the impending storm?
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Moonraker »

Having a lower horizon makes the lighthouse look taller. Nevertheless, the H&S cover looks more atmospheric.
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Rob Houghton
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Re: The Famous Five Book Of Adventure

Post by Rob Houghton »

Moonraker wrote:Nevertheless, the H&S cover looks more atmospheric.
Because the colours are warmer. :-)
'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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