The Mystery Series.

[bilgewaters]

Can anyone tell why E.B. had three illustrators for this series? From one to seven it wasJ.Abbey,from eight totwelve it was Treyer Evans and from thirteen to fifteen it was Lilian Buchanan.The treyer Evans were quite odd in that in some Fatty and Larry looked like gangsters with black shirts and white ties. does anyone agree?

[Rob Houghton]

I'm surprised Enid used J Abbey for as long as she did. I hate his wierd 'composite' illustrations, in which he often used the same basic figure and made it smaller or bigger to suit. they are usually out of proportion and the perspective is awful: just look at the cover of 'Invisible Thief'

I've always liked Treyer Evans illustrations, though I know what you mean about the black shirts and white ties!

My favourite is Lilian Buchanan: so delicate and evocative of the times they were drawn. I particularly like the illustrations in 'Strange Messages'

[Moonraker]

I'm surprised Enid used J Abbey for as long as she did. I hate his wierd 'composite' illustrations

Weird they might be, but am I alone in thinking that as they are so uniquely awful, they add a certain je ne sais qois about them? There are things that in spite of being terrible have a certain attraction. Fisherman's Friends and Big Brother, for example.

[Rob Houghton]

True...

But I still like all the other illustrators better!

[Tony Summerfield]

I'm surprised Enid used J Abbey for as long as she did. I hate his wierd 'composite' illustrations, in which he often used the same basic figure and made it smaller or bigger to suit. they are usually out of proportion and the perspective is awful: just look at the cover of 'Invisible Thief'

The cover of 'Invisible Thief' was illustrated by Jean Main, Rob, not Joseph Abbey!

[Rob Houghton]

okay - a large slice of humble pie

But it's very similar in style to J Abbey - a bit 'modern art' for my tastes! and just as 'flat' as J Abbey's perspective!

I should have known really, as i knew the Invisible Thief was illustrated internally by Treyer Evans!

[bilgewaters]

I agree rob,the Lillian buchanan illustrations are my favourites too,they really give you a feel of the times,I should know I was there.My first Mysteries were the Armada series and a lot of the illustrations were missing thats one reason I wanted the proper hardbacks,for the illustrations.The missing ones seem to be ones that would maybe date the books somewhat,usually the frontispiece.I don't have the dustjackets on my firsts so I can't comment on the illustrator.

[Tony Summerfield]

Just in case you don't know, all the dustwrappers can be seen in our Book Listing on the main part of the website.

[Lucky Star]

I can highly recommend a visit to The Book Listing. As well as the original dustwrappers and illustrations you will find all of the subsequent covers. It is very interesting indeed to compare how the covers have altered in style through the decades. Needless to say it is the original and very early covers which are the most beautiful and evocative to look at.

[Rob Houghton]

I can highly recommend a visit to The Book Listing. As well as the original dustwrappers and illustrations you will find all of the subsequent covers. It is very interesting indeed to compare how the covers have altered in style through the decades. Needless to say it is the original and very early covers which are the most beautiful and evocative to look at.

Don't know though: the one on your avatar has always been one of my favourites

[Lucky Star]

Don't know though: the one on your avatar has always been one of my favourites

Yes me too. For some reason it reminds me of Christmas mornings in my home as a child. We would always be downstairs while it was still dark, tearing open presents by the light of the Christmas tree. It may have been one such Christmas when I received the book I dont remember. In any case it is a pretty old cover, an Armada dating from about 1967 I think. The covers up till the late 1970'2 an dearly '80's were usually good. After that I dont think many of them measure up really.

[bilgewaters]

I agree about the book covers,I grew up with the Armada series they were bright and cheerfull but since I've seen the originals there's no comparison.By the way talking about J.Abbey,take a look at the frontispiece in "Pantomime Cat" , no child would go to a panto ever again.Has anyone seen "Heathers Pages" She gives the covers and all the illustrations,it's really good.

[Vic Nicholas]

Am I alone in actually liking Treyer Evans illustrations best?

To me, how Fatty is rendered by Evans is how I always pretty much pictured him.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Am I alone in actually liking Treyer Evans illustrations best?

No, you're not alone. I like them best too. (Just had to make a correction as I realised I'd written, "I like them bets too." )

Anita

[Julie2owlsdene]

I like all the book covers really, and couldn't pick out a particular one. They all reflect the times of the year they were re-printed.

I do have a fondness though for the first additions of Enid's book covers