Noddy at Waynford Press

[Judith Crabb]

I notice that the title page of my 'Noddy goes to School' has, after the commonly seen 'Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.', the words
AND Waynford Press, Ltd.
Has a Noddy collector any clues about what this means. Could it be a First Edition?

[Boatbuilder]

I would think the latter is the printer of the book, Judith.

Here are a couple more:

https://www.stellabooks.com/publisher/w ... -press-ltd

[pete9012S]

I notice that the title page of my 'Noddy goes to School' has, after the commonly seen 'Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.', the words
AND Waynford Press, Ltd.
Has a Noddy collector any clues about what this means. Could it be a First Edition?

Here is some general info on identifying a true first edition of this title Judith.

Regards
Pete

Is your Noddy Book a first edition?


How can you tell if your Noddy book is a first edition? It’s no easy task but there are a few things you can try. Most importantly always look for books that are complete with their dust jackets. Having the dust jacket will allow you to check other titles listed (if any). If later titles from the series are shown, the book you are holding is not a first edition.

The following notes should be helpful but please don’t spend large amounts of money on Noddy books without first conducting your own research.

Book 6: Noddy Goes to School; Published 1952

Undated, rounded spine and should include the full Sampson Low Marston & Co Ltd address,25 Gilbert Street,LondonW1 on the title page. This was the same for all editions up to the end of 1952. It should have a dust jacket which shows ‘The Children’s Library’ on the back flap. Original price 3s 6d net on front turn in. Illustrations by Harmsen Van der Beek.

Source; Enid Blyton illustrated bibliography Parts 1, 2 and 3 by Tony Summerfield.
Via The Enid Blyton Society

[Judith Crabb]

Thanks for both replies. When I read yours, Boatbuilder, I immediately thought 'of course' as you do when something seems suddenly obvious, but when I had a look at the book the imprint opposite the title reads 'made and printed in Great Britain by Purnell and Sons, Ltd.' Thanks for the link to the other two 'Waynford Press' titles. Both Noddy books I notice, both late 1950s. (Maybe Noddy was intending to apprentice himself to a publisher.)
Great information about edition from Tony's Bibliography, Pete. Early though it looks, my 'Noddy goes to School' is not a first as it does not have the full Sampson address on the title page, but does have the Waynford Press addition.

[Anjalli]

I have never read any Noddy books and don't know if I should now....

[Wolfgang]

We can't answer that question für you, Anjalli. There are people who like them, and people who don't like them.

[Katharine]

I have never read any Noddy books and don't know if I should now....

Personally I really like the Noddy books, but as Wolfgang says, many people don't like them. I would say it depends on whether you enjoy books written for much younger children.

Maybe you could pick up a really cheap one from somewhere? That way if you don't like it you can give it away without having wasted too much money?

[Anjalli]

Gm thanks Katharine that's a very good suggestion and I will get one book and try it.

[Anjalli]

We can't answer that question für you, Anjalli. There are people who like them, and people who don't like them.

Gm true true

[Courtenay]

Gm thanks Katharine that's a very good suggestion and I will get one book and try it.

I think that's a very good suggestion too, Anjalli! If you can, I'd recommend getting one of the original 24 Noddy books — you can see them all here in the Cave of Books — as they have the longest and most interesting stories. They're written for a very young audience, of course, but in my opinion at least, they're charming and lots of fun and sometimes surprisingly moving. But as you can probably guess, I've been a Noddy fan all my life (the same goes for all my family, including my parents) and I don't mind who knows it!