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Favorite series?

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ramonschenk says:

Does anyone have a favorite series of Penguin? I like the Main Series best, because it is the longest-running and shows a clear chronological development of paperback design, especially after the abandonment of the 3-tier and the introduction of woodcuts until the introduction of ISBN.

To help jog your memory, here are some of the better know series:
- Main Series
- Pelican (A-)
- Shakespeare (B-)
- Classics
- Illustrated Classics
- Puffin
- King Penguin
- Peregrine

Of course there are many, many others!

Best,
Ramon
Originally posted at 2:55AM, 13 November 2006 PDT ( permalink )
ramonschenk edited this topic 18 months ago.

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Spider Dijon says:

The John Wyndham series illistrated by Spencer Wilson, Penguin classic I think.
John Wyndham Collection
Originally posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )
Spider Dijon edited this topic 16 months ago.

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ramonschenk says:

Okay, so sub-series are also game! Then I think I'll go for the Birdsall collage covers on the W. Somerset Maugham set. At least nine covers combine to make a larger picture. Great stuff!
Best,
Ramon
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Eifion  Pro User  says:

I’ll stick with the early main series, basically the first 200. They to me represent the original Penguin idea: nice thick cardboard covers, the original Penguin logo, dust jackets and so on. If I had to cut my collection down, those are the ones I'd keep. After 200, the restrictions imposed by the Second World War began to have an effect and the books lost their dust jackets and the paper began to get thinner and thinner.
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

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Michael Bojkowski  Pro User  says:

The Pelicans with the Marber Grid intact are my faves.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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Michael Bojkowski  Pro User  says:

I've just discovered the New Penguin Shakespeare's with the woodcut style covers by David Gentleman. They are lush.
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

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Joe McLaren  Pro User  says:

I'll second that Michael- perfect balance between the rigidity of Facetti's type and the whimsy of the illustrations

I'm also drawn to the 1967 Aldridge illustrated sci-fi covers
plato.lib.umn.edu/simak/images/covers_cn/timeagain1.jpg

but nothing beats the Marber grid.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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scatterkeir  Pro User  says:

very favourite probably pelican marber

also got lots of other soft spots for things like 60s (john curtis era?) penguin reference, penguin handbooks up to the late 70s, penguin education

i'm also fascinated by anomalies like these two:


Penguin 1397, 1959 - bit late for a horizontal grid surely!

Penguin 2210, 1964 - where's the grid? also the penguin is at the top of the spine!

I also have a morbid fascination with the panic top

oh, i have also only recently discovered those david gentleman nps, agree they are lovely, just got my second

EDITED 5 DAYS LATER: I should have mentioned the lovely Crime Marbers too!
Originally posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )
scatterkeir edited this topic 11 months ago.

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aineamhainn says:

I like Pelicans because I feel so intellectual when surrounded by a lot of them.

I also like the poetry series as designed by Hans Schmoller - the range of designs are so lovely. I don't own any. And finally the original Penguin classics. Sorry for lack of proper info but my penguin reference books are out on loan.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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scatterkeir  Pro User  says:

the original original or revised original? i.e. with the roundel in the border at the bottom or in the main panel? or either? :)
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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aineamhainn says:

either! it's the overall design and feel of the books that appeals
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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scatterkeir  Pro User  says:

okay then - the original from 1946 is by John Overton, it was restyled by Jan Tschichold - I wonder who has borrowed your books :D
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

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gregoreverb says:

Definitely the Marber grid crime series...
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

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dunkngina  Pro User  says:

Just joined - agree with Marber, but my favourites are the Music Scores - will upload some examples.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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jonathan229  Pro User  says:

well my favourite is Penguin Modern Classics 1961-1965ish (like this) with restrained but effective line drawings, and elegant colour scheme.

Over at the other place I've posted a list of all the ones I know of - can anyone add more?
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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banstead  Pro User  says:

In the 1970s and '80s I read all the PG Wodehouse series with cover illustrations by Ionicus. Not that I was a fan of Ionicus' style, particularly, but after buying the first few books, to complete the series became a necessity!
Originally posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )
banstead edited this topic 4 months ago.

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magic mango says:

the crime series -and definately the 'library of physical sciences'. the psychology ones have great covers as well.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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