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| Facsimile of 1939/'40 edition |
I'm a sucker for facsimile editions of classic annuals, comics and books, the originals of which would doubtless be far beyond my meagre financial resources to afford. My latest acquisition is a facsimile of the very first
BEANO book for 1940, which now joins the ranks of my replica editions of the first
DANDY,
BROONS and
Oor WULLIE books.
However, the word 'facsimile' is often misapplied, because unless the item looks more or less exactly like the original (with a discreet distinguishing note that it isn't), it's arguable as to whether the description is an apt one. Take the recent 'replica' of the first issue of the Beano: it's four pages short, PEANUT the mascot has been removed, and its held together by staples instead of glue.
The facsimiles of the RUPERT BEAR books are probably the best examples of a true replica. In making the books, every effort was made to reproduce not only the appearance but the very feel of the originals, and they really are top class. In the case of the Beano and Dandy books, D.C. THOMSON produced them in collaboration with different publishers two years apart, and they're different sizes. The Beano is an inch or so shorter than The Dandy tome, though the image-size on the pages of both books is exactly the same, with only the margin around the image being larger in The Dandy's case.
So which, if any, is the closest in size to its original incarnation? I'm looking into the matter and will let you know when (or if) I find out. Of course, if you've never seen or owned the original book, it's probably more the content you're interested in than the presentation, so the fact that a facsimile doesn't capture the exact appearance or dimensions of the original won't much matter to you. However, in the case of the Rupert books in particular, certain aspects are extremely important in conjuring up childhood memories to those who read them when young. The paper, the feel, the smell, the size, the look, etc., are essential ingredients in re-creating accurate impressions of the past.
Personally, the only difference I don't mind is when an old book had shoddy binding and was prone to fall apart - if publishers want to improve that aspect in a replica edition then I won't object at all.
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| Facsimile of 1921 edition |
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| Facsimile of 1921 edition |
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| Facsimile of 1921 edition |
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| Facsimile of 1921 edition |
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| Facsimile of 1942 edition |
The adventures of Superman was actually a very good book. It was probably written for people 12 to 15 years old but the plan is very interesting. It was the first time they spent a lot of time on the life of young Clark Kent. They gave him a very interesting backstory before he became super man. If you have a young person in your house Alex comics this will be a very nice gift for him.
ReplyDeleteYour voice-recognition software doesn't quite understand you, Barry, but I do. (For 'Alex', read 'who likes'.) I really got the book because of the illustrations, but I found the main plot of the story pretty juvenile to be honest. However, it's a nice collectable item.
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