WorldFirst

World Distribution's 1st UK edition

The first Bobbsey Twins to be published in the UK (and from there, distributed to Australia also) started in the 1950's (if anyone knows of any earlier printings, please let me know). Keep in mind that the numbering was different for the UK versions.

A scan of a rear jacket from an early printing is shown below (The Bobbsey Twins at School). THis lists the first titles to be issued, and the basic style of the jacket which continued until the next format was issued--the main difference being the absence of the "ribbon" on the spine giving the book number. The early copies had the number at the very top of the spine.

Earlier cloth covers were more orange, later copies being more brown.

The later volume dust jacket paintings, from the '60's, showed the direction in which the next World Publisher format would head.

I only know of 47 titles being printed in the first format. I added some pictures culled from the internet, of volumes I do not own. The quality of those pictures aren't very good, but at least it lets you know what the cover painting looks like. Scans marked with an * were provided by Jim McNamara.

Cover of early copy

Cover of later versions

Rear dust jacket of early copy--notice spine does note have "ribbon" with book number.

This scan seems to show that by the mid 1960's, quite a few titles had been taken out of publication, as only select volumes were listed on the rear of this copy. This was also done in the US in the 1970s by Grosset & Dunlap.

The "repainted covers"

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.....

This is a very interesting section! Originally I thought there were only 2 or 3 covers that were repainted--as well as spine paintings too, but through comparisons from Jim McNamara and myself, we have come up with at least 4 that were repainted--sometimes 3 times each! Some have VERY minor differences, which makes me wonder WHY the publisher would bother to spend the money to remake plates for such minor changes?