The Enid Blyton Society

Courtenay wrote:

Robert Houghton wrote:... and I also love the illustration of Janet bringing the undressed guy into the shed...

Thank goodness we all know this is about Guy Fawkes Night, or someone might get a rather wrong impression of the book's contents from that line.

Robert Houghton wrote:LOL! I never thought of that! Especially the latter half of my sentence, which you fortunately edited out!!

Courtenay wrote:

Robert Houghton wrote:Especially the latter half of my sentence, which you fortunately edited out!!

Oh dear — I was writing so late at night that I didn't notice what the rest of that sentence could further imply. Er... moving right along now...

LOL! This had me chuckling for quite a while. It's hilarious how perfectly innocent sentences can be interpreted...

pete9012S wrote:It's a pleasure Escanor.I am forever in your debt for your uploading of the Five Go To Demon's Rocks illustrations by Betty Maxey,which I had almost given up hope of ever seeing!

You're giving me way too much credit, Pete. I didn't do anything, really.

pete9012S wrote:Unlike Eileen Soper,Derek Lucas does know the correct end of a telescope from his elbow...

That gave me a good laugh!



I wish a merry Christmas to everyone!

Here's the thirteenth book:

13. Shock For The Secret Seven - Derek Lucas Knight paperback illustrations 1973:

http://share.pho.to/9xp9w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Observations: Derek Lucas is first credited with illustrating the Secret Seven starting back in 1967.
It's now 1973. Is it me,or are the children starting to look a little older in some pictures?

This is the book where Jack has enough and clears off and quits the Secret Seven.

I notice Derek steers completely clear of external shed illustrations.
Perhaps he wanted to avoid any more confusion as to whether the shed had a fence either side, a tree in front,or behind the fence,or if it was connected to any other outbuildings!!

Good work, Pete!

I always used to identify strongly with this SS cover - after all, what child growing up in the 1970's didn't own an anorak like those depicted here?! And Janet wearing those typically extra thick 1970's tights, like all the girls did when I was at school! Nostalgic!

It's a book I don't remember too much except for the cover. I'm looking forward to reading all the Secret Seven's in order, once I finish reading 'Mystery of the Strange Messages' which I'm about halfway through.

Thanks, Pete. That last picture of Matt with Shadow is gorgeous - it exudes warmth, contentment and companionship. Derek Lucas's illustrations have more emotion and detail than the flat, uninspiring originals by Burgess Sharrocks.

Belated thanks Pete for the links. These are the illustrations of my childhood as well as the ones that I have in my SS collection. I was always confused by the illustration on P71 of Secret Seven on the Trail as it seems to suggest that the home village/town of the SS is much bigger than Enid describes.

Thanks Nick.I must get off my rump and finish the last two books....

The front covers


The rarely perused rears

I liked Derek Lucas as an illustrator. My brother bought the Secret Seven books as the Famous Five's were considered 'too old for him'..

Do you have a favourite top three covers?
Mine are:

..

1.Good Old Secret Seven
2.Shock For The Secret Seven
3.Well Done Secret Seven

Oh, and can anyone spot what's wrong about the rear cover above. Top row, third from the left - Well Done Secret Seven??

A lot of my childhood Secret Seven paperbacks have the Derek Lucas covers, though some have photo covers. I've always much preferred the former. Picking out favourite covers is fun but I can't quite decide so I'm afraid I've got four on my list instead of three!

I always think Janet looks nice with black hair as on the paperback covers.

pete9012S wrote: ↑22 Aug 2021, 13:50
Oh, and can anyone spot what's wrong about the rear cover above. Top row, third from the left - Well Done Secret Seven??

I'm not sure the image is from that particualry story? I'm pretty sure that illustration is from Book 1 - The Secret Seven.

You are of course, quite correct Nick! I thought you would get that one.

Any Derek Lucas fans here?
Here's a comparison of his work:

1950 George Brook illustrations v 1967 Derek Lucas illustrations

http://share.pho.to/9rrkY

I was brought up with the George Brook editions and he remains my favourite Secret Seven illustrator although he and Bruno Kay, who succeeded him, had a similar style.
The Derek Lucas illustrations are worthy of appreciation but I prefer the original ones with the boys in their school caps.

A very fair overview John. Especially as you were not brought up on the later illustrations.