How Many illustrations?

Enid used many illustrators in her books. Discuss them here.
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Rob Houghton
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How Many illustrations?

Post by Rob Houghton »

Having seen some talk lately about the number of illustrations in the various editions, I thought it would be interesting to check out a few. I compared my early edition hardbacks with a few paperback versions -

The Island of Adventure.

The original edition has 44 illustrations

The piccolo version paperback has only 15 illustrations.

Image




The Rubadub Mystery

the original edition has 30 illustrations (one at the start of every chapter)

The Armada version below has only 12 illustrations.

Image



The Mystery of the Missing Man

The original edition has 9 illustrations

The Armada edition below has only 4 illustrations

Image


The one that comes out best is Hollow Tree House

the original has 22 illustrations (not counting the frontis piece)

the Armada paperback also has 22, but they are so badly printed that many of them can't be viewed satisfactorily!

Image
'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: How Many illustrations?

Post by Julie2owlsdene »

The Rubadub Mystery and Missing Man are so alike, even down to the blue colour.

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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by pete9012S »

Thanks Rob.Very interesting.

ps.
Does the original edition of Tally Ho Cottage have less illustrations than most of the other Find Outers books?
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Rob Houghton
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by Rob Houghton »

To answer your question - most original editions seem to have about 9 illustrations (a couple have 10) and Tally Ho cottage also has 9. :-)
'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: How Many illustrations?

Post by Lenoir »

I have that version of Missing Man. I like the blue cover. Makes it look interesting somehow, maybe because it is night time.
It does look very similar to Rubadub, but actually the two covers portray completely different scenes.
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by Moonraker »

I wish you lived closer to me, Rob. We could go to a local pub and sink a few. Numbers of illustrations would then seem so unimportant. :D
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Rob Houghton
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by Rob Houghton »

Well I keep having people messaging me and asking about various editions - I don't care about number of illustrations personally, as I have all early editions - but apparently others seem to expect to be able to buy paperbacks with the full set of illustrations - and - hard cheese - they can't! ;-)
'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: How Many illustrations?

Post by Tony Summerfield »

I'm glad that nobody ever asks me about the number of illustrations in paperbacks as all mine are packed away in cardboard boxes!

It would be easy to answer questions about illustrations in the original hardbacks as they are all on my computer so I wouldn't even have to count them!

I got asked this question twice today - at least I assume it is a question. In both cases the actual emails had nothing in them, the 'question' was just the title of the email.

Seeking genre name, purpose,structure and language features of the book titled; A Tale of the Blue-Eyed Cat & The Beautiful Pattern.

Here is one for you, Rob, which I know to my cost as I had to scan them all! Which Blyton Novel has the most illustrations? I won't ask you for a number though!! :D
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by sixret »

I think I may know the answer, maybe. Can I answer the question?
Last edited by sixret on 04 Mar 2017, 21:18, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by sixret »

It just happened that I've read that book only recently and I said to myself while reading the book, "there are so many illustrations!" But when I checked subsequent editions of the same titles, there were less illustrations compared to the first edition.
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Learn the history. Do research.

The hypocrisy, double standard, prejudice and bigotry own by some people is so obvious.Shame on them!
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Rob Houghton
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by Rob Houghton »

Tony Summerfield wrote: Here is one for you, Rob, which I know to my cost as I had to scan them all! Which Blyton Novel has the most illustrations? I won't ask you for a number though!! :D
I believe its 'The Boys and Girls Circus Book'?

But if I know the answer its only because I read it once in one of your Journal articles! ;-)
'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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Tony Summerfield
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by Tony Summerfield »

yes, you are right, Rob! I can't actually remember the number offhand but it is certainly over 100!
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by deepeabee »

I know I'm weird because when I'm reading a book I never notice whether it has illustrations or not. If I've enjoyed the book, I look through it and that's when I see the illustrations! :oops:
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sixret
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Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by sixret »

I agree with you, Dot. Same here. But in The Boys' and Girls' Circus Book, there are too many illustrations that you can't help but notice them.
Last edited by sixret on 04 Mar 2017, 23:53, edited 1 time in total.
I stand with justice and the truth. Palestine will be free from the river to the sea.

Learn the history. Do research.

The hypocrisy, double standard, prejudice and bigotry own by some people is so obvious.Shame on them!
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Rob Houghton
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Favourite book/series: Rubadub Mystery, Famous Five and The Find-Outers
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Location: Kings Norton, Birmingham

Re: How Many illustrations?

Post by Rob Houghton »

Maybe it has to do with a more artistic brain or a more academic one! I always have noticed the illustrations, and I'm definitely more 'arty' than academic! :lol:
'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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