Monday 12 August 2013

Mabel Lucie Attwell Update, Janet & Anne Grahame Johnstone Bibliography and some Bookish Events

For those of you interested in the outcome of my Mabel Lucie Attwell eBay auctions (see the original post here) I can report all the birthday cards are now sold. I was very sad to see them go but pleased that the high bids all came from the same lady in Australia. It's nice to know the collection will be staying together. Having sold six of the cards, I now feel it’s OK to keep the seventh (duplicate one) for my own collection.


A recent visitor to this blog asked how many Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone books are in circulation. See the question and my original J&AG post here. I’ve been asked that exact question several times in the past and decided it was time to do something about it.  So for 'Jessica' and anyone else interested in Janet and Anne, there is now a bibliography of 200+ books here. Many of the titles are out of print, but it should still be possible to find copies online or at book fairs/boot sales and the like.


A couple of bookish places you might like to visit;

Rumoured to be the inspiration for Pemberley - Mr. Darcy's home in Pride and Prejudice - Chatsworth House in Derbyshire is the setting for 'A Georgian Summer' on until the 29th August, 2013.

My favourite Jane Austen adaptation . Image from Pride and Prejudice (1995) wedding scene of Elizabeth and Darcy (c) BBC for Masterpiece

On 3 September 2013, the new Library of Birmingham opens to the public. Located in Birmingham’s Centenary Square, the library will hold a four-month discovery season of events to mark its opening.  Some of the library’s rarely seen collections will be on display. Among them are one of the world’s largest Shakespeare collections; an archive of silent movie scores and of most interest to me, the Parker Collection of Children’s Books and Games.  


The Parker collection is made up of pop-up and movable picture books, illustrated books and children’s games. Some of the finest children’s illustrators are represented, including Edmund Dulac, Charles Robinson and Arthur Rackham. Beatrix Potter, Mabel Lucy Attwell, Margaret Tarrant, Cicely Mary Barker and Ernest Shepard are also included.  In addition to the books, there are around 100 mostly Victorian educational games. Further information here

Last but certainly not least; if you are in Coventry over the next few weeks, I recommend a trip to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

I visited last week and thoroughly enjoyed both the Quentin Blake and Alice in Wonderland Exhibitions. Quentin Blake is one of Britain’s best loved and most successful illustrators. This exhibition brings together 50 of his works commissioned by hospitals and health centres in the UK and abroad. It runs until the 3rd November so you still have plenty of time to go along.  

Looking in Wonderland displays a selection of the best illustrations by Sir John Tenniel for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass and what Alice found there (1872) by Lewis Carroll. It was wonderful to see so many familiar characters displayed around the walls and even nicer to see lots of the original Alice books on display. Looking in Wonderland is on until the 8th September, 2013.

Thanks for calling in I hope you've enjoyed this 'bookish round up'.

Update July 2016; March House Books closed on my retirement in 2015, but I'm still here at my blog, and I'm happy you are too!

48 comments:

  1. Good to have a catch up and thanks for the links to those bookish events.I'd especially like to visit the Looking in Wonderland exhibition.

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    1. It was lovely to see so many familiar illustrations. I'm sure you would enjoy it.

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  2. Good morning dear, dear Barbara! Coming to your blog is the next best thing to being in an old English bookshop with nooks and crannies to go hide and take in the magic of a vintage book. We used to live near Boston, Massachusetts in a town named MARBLEHEAD. There was an English pub and a genuine English bookshop that we frequented, and most of our children's collections are from there. How we used to adore going there during Christmas, because they owners had street musicians and wassail and cookies and everything perfectly English.

    THANK YOU FOR THE JOY! Anita

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    1. Dear Anita, Marblehead sounds like my kind of town! Thank you so much for sharing your memories. Your visits always bring sunshine to my day. xx

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    1. Indeed, I feel very lucky! Thank you so much for calling in.

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  4. What a lovely post!

    I'm so glad your Mabel Lucie Attwell cards have gone to a good home.

    I'm envious of your outing to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, I adore Quentin Blake's illustrations, whenever I see them I think of Roald Dahl : )

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    1. Hello Yvonne, thank you for saying such nice things and for Tweeting about my post, I am very grateful.
      I know what you mean about Roald Dahl, they had such a wonderful partnership. Finding the exhibition was pure luck, Terry and I were in Coventry on business when I happened to spot the sign. That was me happily entertained for a few hours!

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  5. Congrats on your sale! It is always sad to see friends go, but glad that they probably went to those that will love them.
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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    1. Thanks Jamie. I was sad to see them go, but on the other hand, I will be able to invest the cash into something else, and I did get to keep one! The trouble is I’m a collector by nature so selling anything is difficult.

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  6. Oh how I wish I cold go see that children's book collection. I'll keep my fingers crossed that they allow you to take photos when you go so you can share with us.

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    1. Hi Gayle, I would love to take ‘photos, but I have a feeling it won’t be possible. If there is a nicely illustrated catalogue I will see if I can reproduce anything from that. It should be a good day out.

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  7. Glad to hear the cards all went to the same person. How I'd love to just visit a collectible childrens books library. How fun would that be?
    I love the fox in the above illustration. When I see these pictures, I just wish I could draw!

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    1. Hi Donna, I believe the fox is the ‘Foxy whiskered gentlemen’ from the tales by Beatrix Potter. I would love to be able to draw and write like she did but will have to be content with gazing at them in awe! Thanks for calling in.

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  8. Congrats on your sale, I'm sure the cards will get a good home with the lucky lady who bought them :)
    The bookish events sound interesting, I wish I was in England!

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    1. Hello Hilde, come on over - you would be very welcome! Thank you for your lovely comment. Barbara

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  9. If I were to be in England I would be sure to visit Chatsworth House to see 'A Georgian Summer'. BTW The 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is my favourite as well. Sounds like lots of cool events to take in right now.

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    1. Hi Darlene, it certainly feels like there is a lot on at the moment - and the sun is shining – yay!
      I must watch Pride and Prejudice again soon. I just love it!
      Thanks for calling in.

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  10. Good evening Barbara! Your kind visit this evening greets me as I try to compose a new post. And the name of that lovely bookshop in Marblehead was, "MUCH ADO" - how we loved it. The owners finally realized their dream and have a darling bookshop in England....i wish I knew where.

    Have a super Tuesday! Anita

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  11. I FOUND THEM ON-LINE! Here it is:

    http://www.muchadobooks.com/about-us.php

    Check them out! Anita

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    1. Hello Anita, I remember reading about Much Ado in the press. I believe they were named as one of the best independent shops in the UK in 2012! I’ve just had a look online (thank you for the link) and see they are in East Sussex – there is a really good book auction in the same area, so I feel a visit to both coming on. Thank you so much for telling me about them. Love Barbara.

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  12. Nice to know the the MLA cars will be kept together and loved. Did you see my Three Blind Mice book post recently?

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    1. Hello there, I've just been over to see your post - it's lovely. I had not seen that version before, those poor old mice! I'm so glad they were OK in the end.

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  13. I certainly have enjoyed myself in this round of updates, Barbara. So happy that the Mabel Lucie Attwell cards get to stay together, and that you got to keep the 7th. (I imagine selling them separate feels like sending a family of children to different foster homes.) Also, I'd love to visit the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. Quentin Blake's works are such joy to pore over! As for Pride and Prejudice, I haven't read the classic, but have watched the Matthew Macfadyen film version. (This actor really fits into that era, doesn't he? He made me like 'Arthur Clennam' on Little Dorrit even though I hadn't liked that character much when I read the novel years ago.) Hope you're having a great week, Barbara!

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    1. Hello Claudine, well that’s good to know. I was keeping all my fingers, and toes crossed the cards would go to the same home, so it is the best possible outcome. You would really enjoy the Herbert Art Gallery. There is just so much to see. I agree that Matthew MacFadyen looks the part, but Colin Firth will always be my favourite Mr. Darcy – the lake scene will stay with me always! I'm pretty sure that scene is not even in the book, but it’s such a wonderful moment.

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    2. I'll have to check out that lake scene then. I love lakes, I love Mr. Darcy, and I do like Colin Firth.

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  14. Very lucky lady in Australia with those wonderful cards! Very nice post.
    I would have loved to visit that Alice in Wonderland exhibition.
    Besos!

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    1. Hello Silvina, a lucky lady indeed! I know you like the same kinds of things as I do, so I’m sure you would enjoy Alice.

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  15. OH BARBARA! So you know about Much Ado! Kate and Nash are the proprietors and they are charming. Do give them my best (Anita and Ruben from Marblehead) and see if they remember us. AND....thank you dear friend for coming to view my post. All is well, but the moment of waiting was a ripe one to attempt to write a poem. Anita

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    1. Dear Anita, I’m not sure when I will visit but when I do I will be sure to mention you. I was so pleased to read that all is well. xx

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  16. I am happy that those beautiful cards are at one place. Your collection is in safe hands :)

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    1. That’s a lovely way to put it Aunt Mary. I like to think of precious things being in safe hands.

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  17. You are truly an expert on children's books. I have a children's story I'm working on and your blog always inspires me!

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    1. Hello Eve, I’m not sure I can claim to be an expert; it’s just what I’ve picked up along the way. Mention of your planned children’s book is ringing bells with me, have you mentioned it on your blog? Or maybe it was in a previous comment. I feel that I should remember, but my poor old brain is rather bogged down at the moment!

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  18. I love that those fabulous cards all went to one place and even happier you were able to keep the duplicate. :) I loved all the bookish news too! Awesome that you compiled the bibliography. :)

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    1. Hi Stephanie, I was pretty happy about that too! I enjoyed putting the bibliography together although most of the work was done by The book and magazine collector some years ago. I just added to it and made corrections where necessary. Thanks for calling in.

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  19. How lovely Barbara, I've just had a look at the original post. Received my long-awaited Dancer on Holiday this morning. I'm going to make myself put it on the shelf and not read it until I've finished the other books I'm reading. (something REALLY academic .........Pigeon Post, Arthur Ransome!!!!!)

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    1. I have yet to read the academic book that is Pigeon post! It's been on my must-read list for ages. I smiled when I read about making yourself wait before reading Dancer on holiday – I do the exact same thing. I think waiting for something makes it all the more enjoyable. (O:

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  20. wow always such beautiful imagery over here and I get a wee education too. I don't have many book friends IRL and those who do appreciate books it is usually just for a holiday read etc

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. Hello Lainy, thanks for calling in, I always look forward to your visits. Holiday reads are some of the best kind. I never go away without a suitcase full! It’s just nice to relax with a good book and a glass of wine - or maybe a cup of tea and a cream cake!

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  21. 1. I love that version of Pride and Prejudice and I am a sucker for P & P sequels or themed books.

    2. I think there is a children's book about a black dog. I see Mick the Disobedient Dog on your blog. Are you familiar with any others about a black dog?

    3. How near are you to London?

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  22. Hello there,
    Wow that’s a good question. Goodreads list 665 great dog books, but of course not all the dogs are black. http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/665.Great_Dog_Books

    The reading bug had a go at picking their favourite books before deciding there were just too many of them, but they do provide a very good list of doggy books. Again not all the dogs are black.
    http://readingbugblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/30/best-dog-books/#topic1

    I can think of a couple of famous black dogs in fiction one is the hound of the Baskervilles from the book of the same name by Arthur Conan Doyle. The other is Black Bob the fictional Border Collie that first appeared in The Dandy in 1944. He also featured in a weekly picture strip in a newspaper, and several Black Bob annuals published between 1950 and 1965. I’m sure there are many, many more.

    I was trying to think of book where a Goldendoodle is the star (thinking of your Little Lulu) but the only one I know features a light coloured Golden. If you are interested in finding it its called Waffles the Goldendoodle and the ISBN number is 9781476281216

    We are in Somerset about 120 miles from central London, but we don't have a shop (just mail order) from our website www.marchhousebooks.com

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  23. Good morning dear, dear Barbara! YES! SUMMER IS WANING! It really has been a lovely time, not traveling at all with the exception of going to my native state of California. But I really prefer to stay close to home for most of the summer holiday, to RELAX and delve into personal goals. Thank you for your kind comments my dear! I look forward to musing and preparing blog posts for the chilly but magical seasons of cold nights, tea-time, good reads and friends.

    HAPPY SUNDAY! Anita

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    1. Hello Anita, I’m already looking forward to the magical way you will tell it. Even your comments sound poetic and beautiful. Thanks so much for calling in. Barbara. x

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  24. Hello there - I just found your beautiful blog whilst wandering about in blog land! Very happy to be your newest follower x

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    1. Thank you so much for following. I've just visited your lovely blog and have followed right back. Barbara.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx