Monday 23 January 2012

Cover art; A selection of Children's Annuals 1950 to 1983

To view last week's post 1883 to 1953 click here




Gracie Fields Gay Street Book 1950 twelve stories including good dog tinker by Enid Blyton, a first class brownie by D E Booth, nature ramble’s with Hedgerow Joe and police message by T. Holloway. Black and white photo frontis of Gracie Fields plus colour plates. The Tip Top Book 1954 first story the land of the other way round, other stories include one good turn and dead-eye Dave. Also picture strip stories including happy Bob Harriday, dreamy Dennis and sailor Bill Barrett. Radio Fun Annual 1956 enjoy a laugh with Norman Wisdom, Arthur Askey, Jimmy Durante and other favourite stars of radio and TV. Playways Annual 1963 several stories about the Golly boys, little Brown Bear stories told and drawn by Chris Temple,Wiggles and Woggles by Eunice Close and hidey-hole a story by Enid Blyton. All sold, thank you for your interest.




The Dandy Book 1969 Desperate Dan, Corporal Clott, Korky the Cat, the Smasher and many other favourites in this 1969 annual. Princess Gift Book for girls 1970 picture strip stories including the trolls, Barbie the model girl, school in the sun and Candy and Mandy also features, poems and short stories. Charlie Chaplin Annual 1974 collection of stories together with black and white film stills and colour cartoons. The Sparky Book 1975 Hungry Horace, Keyhole Kate, Pansy Potter, the Two Klankys, Ali's Baba and other favourites. All sold, thank you for your interest.




Woody Woodpecker Annual 1976 picture strip stories in colour. Peanuts Annual 1979 more colourful picture strips featuring Charlie Brown, Linus and Snoopy. The Secret Seven Annual 1980; the third Secret Seven annual – "puzzle for the Secret Seven" told in both text and picture strip, with projects, puzzles and quizzes. Battle Annual 1983; numerous picture strip stories including Charley's war, clash of the guards, the commando they didn't want, and Johnny Red. All sold, thank you for your interest.

I hope you've enjoyed this trip down memory lane.  It brought back lots of memories for me – my dad’s love of Norman Wisdom and Charlie Chaplin. My son watching Woody Woodpecker and Peanuts cartoons on TV, and my husband’s fondness for comic books like Commando and battle. I grew up with the Daily Mail annuals, Playbox and the Tip Top books and remember them with a great deal of affection.

I hope these bring back happy memories for you.  

14 comments:

  1. Look at these fun covers again! I love the Dandy one. My dad loved Peanuts and had quite the collection.

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  2. I Barbara - this is such a great post. These covers bring back so many memories - I loved the Princess annuals (I'm afraid I was a typical little girl)

    Thanks so much for trying out both browsers on my blog. I really appreciate getting your impression of each. I did make a change early this morning to the comments setting as I realised it was only posts with comments that were affected and this seems to have helped.

    I first used Internet Explorer to look at your post. I wasn't able to leave a comment so I tried again with Google Chrome. Response time is faster and the comment box is not blocked. Just as well - I have been looking forward to this post all week!

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  3. I think I actually remember that Dandy annual. That was a great post.
    Do you stock and Commando annuals? I know I'm a lot older now but I'd still like to see another.

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  4. barbaraannefisher24 January 2012 at 14:41

    Hello Roger,
    I don’t have any Commando annuals at the moment.
    If I find one I will post a picture on my blog and try to remember to let you know.

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  5. barbaraannefisher24 January 2012 at 14:47

    Lots of people remember Peanuts and the Dandy annual. I tried to include some that might be recognised in other parts of the world not just the UK.

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  6. barbaraannefisher24 January 2012 at 14:58

    Thanks Sharon, it’s so nice being able to share some of these memories. I love the cover art on the Princess annuals (and the Judy – wish I had included one of those now).
    I hadn’t realised there was a problem with Internet Explorer until I read your post, not sure what if anything we can do about it.
    I like your 'ethereal’ template, there is something very restful about it. I did try changing mine a couple of times but always come back to the plain background. My thinking is that it helps to highlight the pictures.

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  7. I think you have achieved a wonderful signature look that makes your blog stand out. (Less is more as they saying goes.) The plain background is perfect and you are spot on in thinking it is an ideal foil for the pictures. I was in two minds about changing mine as I don'r think it is something that should be messed around with too much but in the end I decided really did feel like something new - so I've opted for an annual change!

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  8. barbaraannefisher25 January 2012 at 14:16

    That’s such a sweet thing to say, thank you. I will look forward to your ‘annual’ changes!

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  9. Hello,
    Does anyone still remember the 1950s 'Whiskers anual or book with the stories 'The Reedy Pool' with Toddles the turtle, 'Nibby The Reindeer' and the 'Singing Tree'?
    Had this when I was a little nipper and would like to aquire one now ( if still possible).
    Any help or info would be much appreciated.
    Regards - Jon.

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  10. barbaraannefisher14 July 2012 at 07:18

    Hello Jon,
    There are a few Whiskers annuals for sale at www.abebooks.com (use the advance search at top of page) they may not be the year you are looking for but it’s a good place to start.
    If you wanted information about the annual a good site is http://bearalley.blogspot.co.uk/ lots of amazing pictures from children’s books and annuals.
    Hope this helps, Barbara.

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  11. i had an annual in the late 60's which had a story in it which featured a group of annuals sat round a dinner table.I have no idea what it was and have never been able to find it.Can anyone help?

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  12. barbaraannefisher2 August 2012 at 13:28

    That illustration feels familiar but I can’t put my finger on it at the moment. It could have been an advertisement in the back of an annual advertising all the other annuals published by the same publisher. Anyone have any ideas?

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  13. No it was a 2 or 3 page story.That's about all I remember.

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  14. barbaraannefisher2 August 2012 at 14:03

    OK, I will give it some more thought. Barbara

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Barbara xx