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To see current stock of Famous Five Books Click Here
Enid Blyton's Famous Five
Even nowadays there cannot
be many children who do not read Enid Blyton, and who
would not know who the Famous Five were. During my childhood
I loved these stories and they, together with Biggles,
were my introduction to the world of reading for pleasure.
When my own children were small and we were away on our
camping holidays, it was always a Famous Five chapter
which formed part of the bedtime story.
Although Blyton wrote many 'series' stories (The Mystery,
Secret Seven, The Adventure, St. Clares, Malory
Towers) it is the Famous Five series which appears to
be the most popular.
The first book appeared in September 1942 (dated August
1942) and was so popular that it was reprinted almost
immediately in September and October of the same year.
The book was illustrated by Eileen Soper, who was to illustrate
all 21 titles, and whose drawings were so 'just right'.
Her original black and white line drawings, together with
the coloured jackets fit perfectly with the stories. In
the latest editions these original drawings have been
used in colour.
Further stories appeared at
a rate of about one a year for the next 21 years, a total
of 21 titles. In the late 1980's you might have purchased
a complete set of first editions with dustjackets for
just over £100. Today you can expect to pay many
times that amount for just the first book in its original
wrapper.
And for the purist, one might say bibliomaniac, there are many pitfalls. You have to be aware of how to identify a true first edition to avoid buying a copy in a reprint dustjacket, and with modern photocopying machinery, you need to be aware of facsimile jackets as well.
As well as the books there is a multitude of Famous Five Ephemera - playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, stationery, birthday cards, postcards, even clothing became available and are avidly collected. Films have been made, a television series, even a musical, and for the real aficionado there is 'The Enid Blyton Society'
The Famous Five (Julian, George, Dick & Anne, not forgetting Timmy the dog) are as popular today as they ever were, and long may they remain so.
Contributed by David Starling
Also See our Famous Five Information Pages
A selection of Famous Five books in stock
Blyton, Enid. Illustrated by Knox, Jolyne. Stock no. 1302201
Award Publications. 1993. Nearly fine condition. Yellow glazed pictorial boards. B/w illustrations. Minimal bumping to spine and a very light vertical crease to centre else a fine copy. [R] 0861636872.
Price: £5.00
Voilier, Claude. Illustrated by Cooper, John. Stock no. 1302195
Knight Books. 1st. 1981. Very good condition. A new adventure of the characters created by Enid Blyton, told by Voilier and translated by Anthea Bell. Paperback edition. 156 pages. B/w illustrations. Covers are lightly creased. Page edge browning. Name sticker (Dick) to half title-page which has caused light browning to first few pages. [R] 0340265256.
Price: £6.50
Blyton, Enid. Illustrated by Knox, Jolyne. Stock no. 1302053
Award Publications. 1993. Slightly better than very good condition. Yellow glazed pictorial boards. B/w illustrations. 170 pages. Minimal bumping to spine. Contents fine. [R] 0861636848.
Price: £4.50
Blyton, Enid. Illustrated by Knox, Jolyne. Stock no. 1302052
Award Publications. 1993. Slightly better than very good condition. Yellow glazed pictorial boards. B/w illustrations. 187 pages. Minimal bumping to spine. Small scratch to front edge of spine. Contents fine. [R] 0861636856.
Price: £4.50
Blyton, Enid. Illustrated by Soper, Eileen. Stock no. 1101993
Hodder & Stoughton. 1st thus. 1992. Fine condition in a nearly fine dustwrapper. A facsimile of the first adventure celebrates 50 years of the Famous Five. Blue boards, black titles. 32 full-page b/w drawings. [R] 0340565683.
Price: £40.00
Blyton, Enid. Illustrated by Soper, Eileen. Stock no. 1801365
Hodder & Stoughton. 1st. 1956. Very good condition in a good dustwrapper. The 15th Famous Five adventure which all began because of Timmy's wounded ear and the collar he had to wear... Red boards, black lettering. Pictorial blue and black endpapers. Two-tone & b/w illustrations throughout. 182 pages. Light fading to edges of boards. Minor foxing to prelims else contents clean. Pictorial wrapper is dampstained at rear panel, front flap is detached, wrapper is edge-worn with slight loss at corners and grubby. [S]
Price: £30.00
View all current stock of Famous Five books
