Published

1933 (April) @ 7s 6d [1xFFEP, pp256, 1xBFEP, Octavo 7.5’x5’]

Notes

First edition was published by Newnes in April 1933 at 7/6. First two images above.

Boards colour is beige/taupe with gilt titles to spine and front. Undated. Heavier paper stock means the textblock is approximately 34mm thick compared to 30mm of a cheap edition.

First edition dustjacket shown is facsimile. From the information on the dustjacket this appears to be an accurate copy of the original. 

The dustjacket and book are illustrated by Thomas Henry.

First cheap edition was published by Newnes in October 1933 at 2/6 priced to front cover only. Third and fourth images above.

Boards colour brick red with black titles to spine and front cover. A printing statement is added from the first cheap edition.

The dustjacket front cover states second edition and blurbs are revised or different to first edition dustjacket. Dustjacket spine illustrated rather than plain.

Further Information

Starting from William (April 1929) Newnes published a 7/6 first edition with gilt titles and board colour that varied from their usual 2/6 cheap edition brick red boards with black titles. The last white spine 7/6 edition was William and The Brains Trust (April 1945).

Books from the Just William series are usually easily identified as, atypically, Newnes updated printing statements on both the books and dustjackets. 

The 1930s first edition print runs were around 1500 - 2000 copies whereas the first cheap editions were around 20,000 - 30,000 copies. First edition copies are thus scarce with many that surface ex-library meaning collectible copies are rare. Copies in dustjacket are truly rare as the lack of artwork on the spine may have made them less attractive to retain.

The Thomas Henry illustrations are reproduced more clearly in the 7/6 first editions likely due to a combination of better paper stock and as printed earlier from the plates.

Just William collectors are fortunate to have access to two excellent bibliographies; Lofts and Adley’s William - A Bibliography (self-published and out of print) and David Schutte’s William - The Immortal.

I am always delighted to chat about books or discover new information: Contact.