An eclectic mix of book collecting and dealing, gay life, gay sex, science fiction and victorian photographs
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
I-Spy Books
I have been at an auction for most of the day, and I wish I could show you everything, all the wonders that I've dragged up a flight of stairs to the study but, for the time being, I thought these fantastic 1950s (and earlier) covers would make a nice display. These are I-Spy Books, which, in a somewhat later incarnation, were something of a feature in my childhood. For those who have never come across these before, inside are illustrated pages showing a whole load of things that fit within the category of the book's title, each thing is given a point score, depending on how difficult it is to see, the I-Spy-er spends their time tracking down the things in the books and ticking them off to score points. The filled-in books could then be sent to "Big Chief I-Spy" and he would, in return, send you a certificate. These are quite early ones from a collection of over 100 that I bought today that includes early and rare titles from the series: in fact, you can see at least two incarnations of one of the titles 'On the Farm' just from the pictures here. Many of the titles in this acquisition I have never seen before and I'm really hopeful that they will sell well... but they should do just for the covers!
A great buy. Wonderful covers especially the I Spy on the Pavement. No idea of values but I am sure they have their collectors. I wonder what the rarest title is. Nigel
What little experience I have with these previously suggests that they should sell for £4-5 each unless very rare in which case they may touch £20. I still have a lot to learn about them though and, whilst there are collectors out there, they are not very numerous as yet. If I do any more research before selling them off and learn anything interesting, I'll post it here. Callum
I am a bookcollector, bookdealer, publisher and writer living in Portsmouth on the South Coast of the UK.
This blog is my personal space for the recording of my numerous interests including science-fiction, victorian and vintage photography, gay literature, book design, typography, homoerotic artwork, the Amazon river, the books of Frederick Rolfe (Baron Corvo), Forrest Reid, sundry gay Victorian and Edwardian characters, Slash Fiction, Samuel R Delany, Vintage swimwear, Willard Price, Venice, and so on...
Alongside all of that you also get a personal journal of life and memoir and the self-therapy you have come to know and love from bloggers.
I have been at an auction for most of the day, and I wish I could show you everything, all the wonders that I've dragged up a flight of stairs to the study but, for the time being, I thought these fantastic 1950s (and earlier) covers would make a nice display. These are I-Spy Books, which, in a somewhat later incarnation, were something of a feature in my childhood. For those who have never come across these before, inside are illustrated pages showing a whole load of things that fit within the category of the book's title, each thing is given a point score, depending on how difficult it is to see, the I-Spy-er spends their time tracking down the things in the books and ticking them off to score points. The filled-in books could then be sent to "Big Chief I-Spy" and he would, in return, send you a certificate. These are quite early ones from a collection of over 100 that I bought today that includes early and rare titles from the series: in fact, you can see at least two incarnations of one of the titles 'On the Farm' just from the pictures here. Many of the titles in this acquisition I have never seen before and I'm really hopeful that they will sell well... but they should do just for the covers!
2 comments:
A great buy. Wonderful covers especially the I Spy on the Pavement. No idea of values but I am sure they have their collectors. I wonder what the rarest title is. Nigel
Hi Nigel,
What little experience I have with these previously suggests that they should sell for £4-5 each unless very rare in which case they may touch £20. I still have a lot to learn about them though and, whilst there are collectors out there, they are not very numerous as yet. If I do any more research before selling them off and learn anything interesting, I'll post it here.
Callum
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