Mandeville Publications & Spring Books (1949-1955) |
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The Tom Merry books were written by Charles Hamilton initially under his Gem alter ego Martin Clifford, presumably to emulate the success of the Bunter books published by Charles Skilton. The Tom Merry (and Jack of All Trades and Rookwood) novels were published by Mandeville Publications, established by the publisher and author Richard March. He also published the Tom Merry Annuals, and the first three Billy Bunter's Own. Many of the Tom Merry novels were almost immediately reprinted by Spring Books, and later republished under Spring Books "Fanfare" imprint. It is unclear what the relationship was between Mandeville and Spring as the editions had significant differences - the Mandeville editions were printed on better paper, with a frontispiece and illustrations in the text, whereas the Spring reprinted editions originally had no illustrations and a different dust wrapper. The initial Mandeville editions were published at 6 shillings. Later volumes from around 1951 cost 7/6 and were advertised in the pages of the Gold Hawk paperbacks. Mandeville publications ceased trading in 1954, at which point Spring Books took over publishing new Tom Merry novels, but with Frank Richards acknowledged as the author. Spring Books also published a variety of collections of boys' fiction (such as the Big Parade for Boys). Note that there were 8 Jack of All Trades books written, though only 3 were published during Frank Richards' lifetime. The Friars Club published all 8 books between 2011-2013 in limited runs as perfect binding paperbacks, available for purchase from the Club. Their website went off-line approx. 2016, and only an archive version of the site is available.
Big Parade For Boys (c. 1959)This was a hard-back collection of short stories for boys by a wide variety of authors, published by Spring Books (who also published the St. Jims post war novels). A companion volume The Big Parade for Girls was also published.
New Target Book For Boys (1960)Published by Spring Books, this contained a variety of school and adventure stories, including:
New Target Book For Girls (1960)Published by Spring Books, this contained a variety of school and adventure stories, including:
Searchlight: Adventure Stories for Boys (c.1960)This was a hefty (380 pages) story book published by Spring Books that contained 36 short stories, including at least two Charles Hamilton stories:
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