Thursday 13 November 2014

Just Judy or Maybe Not!

Just Judy sounded like a catchy kind of title when I started to write this, but that was before most of the Judy annuals in stock sold. I'm now down to the last three hence the title - Just Judy – or maybe not! 

Judy for girls Judy Annuals Vintage
Judy for girls, 1970 (now sold, thank you for your interest);  Lots of stories and picture strips including Fay Farrell nurse, Skinflint School and The Dreams of Alwyn.  Judy for girls, 1962 (now sold, thank you for your interest);  Lots of colourful picture strip stories, including Sandra and the Sleeping Beauty (a ballet story), Backstage Betty, Heather in Italy, Joan all-alone, Millicent Churl, Colleen and the last witch, Tricky Trixie and Lillian Dobby. Also full-length stories, including big sister, Anna junior miss, the Queens' champion and Val of the Valley (district nurse story).  Judy for girls, 1966 (now sold thank you for your interest); First picture strip story Sandra and the snow ballet, others include Penny the post, The Bolshoi Ballet, Fay Farrell emergency nurse, Polly and her pram and Robin Redbreast of Roxell.

Lucie Attwell   Teddy Tail  Bobby Bear three vintage annuals
Lucie Attwell's Annual, 1974;  Lots of fairies, Boo-Boos and other pretty things. Illustrations by Mabel Lucie Attwell stories by Penelope Douglas. Teddy Tail Annual, 1954 (now sold, thank you for your interest); First story the giant butterfly other stories include scarecrows' day, Bobby Bear's Saturday sixpence, and Tottie's swimming pool.  Lots of other Teddy Tail Annuals in stock. Bobby Bear  Annual, 1943; First story A day's sport by Aunt Kitsie, other stories include Flowers for the colonel by Gwen Thornber, the wicked uncle by May Sullivan, Mr. Prickety changes his face by Christine E Bradley, M'Zooba of the river by W. H. Morris and a lucky escape by Maud Morin. Lots more Bobby Bear Annuals in stock. 

British Legion Children's Annual vintage c1930s Dean
British Legion Children's Annual (now sold, thank you for your interest);  Undated c1930s published by Dean, 6 La Belle Sauvage, Ludgate Hill. Deans resided at 6 La Belle Sauvage from 1933 to 1938 so that dates this annual.  First story the smuggler's cave by M. Ransome, other stories include Brown Minor's mistake by M. Gay, the lost boat by Margaret G Rhodes, Red vengeance by M. R. Sherlock, the mysterious highwayman by Arthur Groom, the wolf and the werewolf by Roma Lobel, Dixon's banishment by Eva Gray and every fag has his day by William R Bawden. We have this and one other British Legion Annual in stock at time of writing.  

TV Comic Annual from 1959, Okay Adventure Annual c1959
TV Comic, 1959; First story Muffin a tough carrot there is a second Muffin the Mule story called Muffin and the conjurer's rabbit both by Neville Main. Several picture strips, including Bengo by Tim, Bom the little drummer boy by Enid Blyton, and Lenny the lion, also full-length  stories, including Prudence Kitten's nursery school by Molly Blake. A lovely annual just full of memories.  Okay Adventure Annual; Undated c1959. First story - Order to Wellington by John Southcombe illustrated by D. May, other stories include the sea witch by D. L. G. Stainton, the glittering God of N'gai by John Southcombe and the air pirates by D. L. G. Stainton. Other Okay Adventure annuals in stock.  School Friend, 1972; Lovely vintage annual, full of stories and picture strips. First picture strip story- the ugly duckling (how Maryon Blake, of St. Winifred's became a Swan thanks to a well-known ballerina), other picture strips stories include the house of dolls, Gail Gulliver, and Bessie Bunter.TV Comic, 1959 is now sold, thank you for your interest.

Japhet and Happy vintage annual's
Jolly Gnomes Annual, 1951; First story the unhappy giant by Samuel Jeans other stories include - fun in the hayfield by Vera Bedford, the old woman and her husband by M. C. Haskins, and Father Christmas and the remarkable snowman by Cledwyn Hughes. There are also picture strips and puzzle pages. Very pretty illustrations by Ern Shaw in full colour and two tone. Sport for Girls, 1951 (now sold thank you for your interest);  Delightful annual, centre section with 16 full-page colour drawings of ladies in sport from 1851 to 1951 drawn by William Bromage also numerous black-and-white  photographs.   Japhet & the Arkubs (now sold, thank you for your interest); A British newspaper cartoon strip originally appearing in the Daily News as the Adventures of the Noah Family. This book contains picture strips and stories about the Noah Family who all live at The Ark, Ararat Avenue, London. While their two dogs, a bear, a cat and a goat live in the Little Ark in the back garden. Nice example of a very hard to find title, undated but c1928. 

Daily Mail Annuals from March House Books

I made my first purchase from an Etsy shop last week. The shop in question belongs to my lovely blogging friend Diane. I can’t show you what’s in the parcel because it’s a Christmas present for my sister (shush!) but I can show you the care Diane took with the wrapping and the lovely card that came with it. Diane's Etsy shop is here

I hope your days are filled with sunshine and pretty things...  

49 comments:

  1. Good morning dearest Barbara! Oh, too bad we didn't know each other when I had my Etsy shop up and running; I did well, but have not sold for over two years now. What a great purchase you made here! And coming to your "bookstore" is always a delight because I see things I never heard of or saw here in the states. How I would have loved paging through these colorful and sweet books. Nowadays, our youth are glued to their phones, and I just wonder if they even open a book. I can barely get my kids used to flipping through a dictionary. Instead, they invent their own French words! I tell them they get points off their essays for even attempting to invent their own language! READ!

    Oh the joys of your blog. Big hugs. Anita

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    1. Hello Anita, I had no idea you used to have an Etsy shop, just think of all the lovely things I missed! I’ve visited Etsy lots of time in the past but had to pluck up the courage to try it, and I’m so glad I did. You have to give your students a gold star for inventiveness. If you don’t know a word – make it up! I will have to try that. xxxx

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  2. I love seeing books from your area, so similar to what we have here for that time period. The illustrations are so sweet. Thanks for introducing me to a whole host of new authors and artists! And thank you so for showing off my packaging from my Etsy shop. I hope your sister is delighted with her gift!
    Have a wonderful weekend. ~ Diane

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    1. I’m sure Sue will be thrilled. The condition is far better than I could ever hope for. I’m going to re-use your packing to send a gift to another friend. It is just so pretty.
      I’m looking forward to the weekend, no real reason just in need of a short rest.
      Take care, enjoy the weekend, Barbara.

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  3. Oooh! What lovely Annuals! No wonder they're selling out so fast!

    I love the look of your lovely package and hooray for your first Etsy purchase! x

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    1. Hi Yvonne, I hope it will be the first of many purchases.
      I’ve ‘borrowed’ your lovely bookmark idea and started adding pretty ribbon to my March House Books bookmarks.
      Have a lovely weekend. x

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  4. Hello Barbara , JUDY is indeed a catchy title.. intrigued to read Sandra, the snow ballet, Joan all-alone and others ...And what beautiful covers ! look at the bright Pistachio green of the British legion and the deep blues of the School Friend .... Amazing post Barbara... Thanks fro the share :)
    The present certainly looks beautiful and the background cloth (with Hen noo.. its a cock with red comb! ). print caught my eye ...
    Am sure your sister will love the present.. wishing you happy preparations for the coming festive season.. Cheers and love , Kokila.

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    1. Hello Kokila, the colours are lovely on these old annuals.
      The background of the present picture is actually a square of material. I can never resist pieces of cloth. One of these days I intend to use them up, maybe on a patchwork quilt, in the meantime they make pretty backgrounds for the blog.
      Thank you for your good wishes, I wish the same for you. Barbara x

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    2. Oooh ...! The amazing Patchwork Quilts ...I am not sure if its the love and affection which goes in making them OR simply skills .. but they are ALWAYS amazingly beautiful ! If you do pllleeaaseee.. be kind enough to update a pic dear .. :)
      Wishes :)

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    3. Hello Kokila, if I ever do make that patchwork quilt I promise you will be the first to know ;-)

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  5. Hi Barbara what marvellous vintage annuals! I can see why they are selling like hot cookies. I watched the royal britsh legion show they put up for remembrance day. It was awesome. Your gift looks like it holds something beautiful and special. Love the card that Diane has included.

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    1. Hello Shashi, glad you enjoyed them. Judy annuals are always popular, especially if they have the original dust jackets. I watched the Remembrance Day celebrations as well, and found it very moving. I also enjoyed the photos on your blog.
      Diane did such a lovely job of wrapping up the present, I was sad to open it, but I had to as it is going with another present, and they will be wrapped up together. It’s OK though because I’ve already recycled the pretty paper – it’s on the way to Holland at the moment. A friend there is having a birthday soon so it's been put to good use.

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  6. I enjoyed the little trip to the Etsy shop. Always fun to check out the nostalgic stuff. Looks like she has children's books too. When I saw the Judy for girls, I immediately thought they should have had a Judy for boys too. LOL Like maybe for older boys? LOL

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    1. Hello Eve, Glad you enjoyed a visit to Diane’s shop. She has some really pretty books and one or two I have my eye on. There was something like that for boys, wish I could remember the name. It started as a picture strip in the newspapers and then went on to appear as a magazine. Very popular with grown-up boys as I remember! 

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  7. Your sister is bound to love whatever is in that adorable parcel. Yes, I am enjoying the sun right now!!

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    1. I should think you are Darlene, it looks lovely. Wish I was in Spain right now. I hope the property search is going well, looking forward to seeing the photos.

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  8. Sweet Barbara! Lovely greetings to you tonight as I see you came by this morning! It is because of dear people like you that blogging never ever ceases to amaze me of the power of art, language and other forms of expression. But the greatest is the human connection of kindness in which you are very rich. Thank you for your kind words, YOU!!

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    2. Thank you so much Anita you are one of life’s blessings.

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  9. Hi Barbara,

    Once again, I come here and I'm immersed in childhood memories. A delightful, fanciful journey, indeed. Okay, I'm familiar with a lot of the annuals. No, not the Judy ones! :) As for my Canadian high school annuals, um and oh my....

    Gary

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    1. In that case, my work is done! :-)
      I’m not sure I understand the Canadian high school reference – I will have to think on that one.
      Thanks for your visit Gary, it is always appreciated, Barbara.

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  10. I used to love comic book annuals when I was young. Yours seem very similar. Etsy is so much fun - I love to browse through all the wares!!

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    1. Hi Teressa, I agree about Etsy and the annuals, just wish there were more hours in the day to enjoy all the wonderful things on offer. Thanks for your visit, Barbara x

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  11. They are, Barbara, and the most recent batch of pretty things came right from this blog. The book covers featured here are beautiful (though I haven't heard of many of the annuals and the Judy series before). Your sister must be so excited about her gift now (oh, but to have to wait till Christmas!). You've just reminded me to start shopping early this year. Happy weekends, dear Barbara!

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    1. Why thank you Claudine, that’s a lovely thing to say! Christmas is rushing up really fast (or that is how it feels to me). I can’t wait to put the Christmas tree up and to start foraging for holly and ivy to decorate the house. I always want the decorations up long before Christmas day but then as soon as it’s gone, I want them down just as quick. :-)

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    2. Barbara, I just received a very pretty Christmas card from you and Terry! Thank you guys so much and happy holidays to the whole family. I hope to send my gift to you through my blog this year. It's a good idea to get into the festive mood early so you won't need to rush when the day arrives. Have an excellent time shopping (leisurely). xoxo C.

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    3. Well, I feel really silly now! So much for taking advice from the Royal Mail, I checked the last recommended posting dates and immediately went into panic mode! Mind you the last posting date for Australia (economy service) was the 29th September so maybe I was right to panic.
      Please put the card away for a month or so and then act surprised when you find it on the 22nd December!
      Happy (very early) Christmas.

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  12. What a Treasure Trove of annuals! Christmas wasn't Christmas without an annual (or two). I remember a Bunty annual - I never had Judy. Were they very different? - and also TV-inspired ones like Daktari and the Blue Peter Book. Will have to go and rummage through your virtual bookshelves!

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    1. Hi Sue, Bunty and Judy are very similar but for me, Bunty always had the edge.
      I loved finding an annual (and a tin of toffees) in my Christmas stocking. Both were easy to unwrap without much noise, and they kept me company while waiting for the rest of the family to wake up! I still enjoy eating toffee while I read, but my teeth don’t cope so well now! Christmas was the one day of the year when I was allowed toffee before breakfast, happy memories.

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  13. What a beautiful card! It makes me think that whatever is inside the wrapping paper must be fabulous.

    I have never heard of the Judy books, but I am glad you acquired them and that they are selling. You always find books that fascinate me!

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    1. Inside is even nicer than outside Stephanie, but I can’t tell you what it is until after Christmas.
      Judy annuals were/are very popular in the UK. They were around when I was a little girl and are still being published now. I like the older ones best because they are very nostalgic, but I’m sure the newer ones are just as nice.

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  14. I wonderful stroll through annuals. Mum's annual collection mostly consists of Rupert Bear. I don't remember getting any chldhood annuals myself, apart from the odd Take That one!

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    1. Lucky mum, I love the Rupert annuals but the early ones are no so easy to come by now. I like Take That but can’t say I’ve seen one of the annuals.

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  15. P.S. - I love Etsy and could buy loads from there! :)

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  16. Oh, I used to get School Friend comic but it was the weekly one. I can't remember if I had the annual.

    I couldn't wait until the day when the newspaper boy brought it.

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    1. Hi Anne Marie, how lovely I can’t remember ever having a comic delivered. Dad used to buy me one occasionally but only if we happened to be out shopping.

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  17. Lovely to browse through these covers Barbara, thank you! I used to love getting annuals at Christmas time when I was younger.

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    1. Hi Lindsay, it was such a treat wasn’t it. Those were the days!

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  18. I love seeing these beautiful old book covers. They are all new series to me and fun to learn about!

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    1. I'm so pleased you like them even though they are new to you.

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  19. My goodness, the annual played such a huge role in my childhood Christmas reading. How I wish I'd kept them all.

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    1. Me too Tracy, I didn’t care very much when they were given away when I was younger, but I would love to have them all back now!

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  20. I loved looking at all these old covers, brought back memories. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hello Kelly, I was very happy to share, glad they brought back memories.

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  21. I love reading about all the books you find and sell.
    That Etsy wrapping is so cute.

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    1. Diane did such a good job of the wrapping it was a shame to open it :-)

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  22. The card is so beautiful, it's frame worthy. I shop Etsy all the time, I'm going to check out her shop.

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    1. Hi there, I'm sure you will like it, Diane has some very pretty things. Thanks for your visit, Barbara

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx