Books

and Booklets

published by

Valentine & Sons Ltd

©

 

Photos, Postcards, Books

As well as selling photographs and postcards, Valentine & Sons Ltd published a range of small books of their views.

They also, published other books,  many with illustrations for children, but no photographs.

These are the books  that I have been told about so far. They are in three tables below:

1. Books of Photos of England & Scotland

-  Photographic View Albums

-  Calotype View Books

-  Shire Series

-  Other Books

2. Children's Books

-  Toy Books

-  Chummy

-  Do You Know?

-  Golden Thoughts

-  I Don't Know Which

-  Toy Dolly

-  Valtay Books

-  Other

The numbers suggest that these may also
be part of the Chummy Books series

3.  English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh Books

-  Gem Selection (Ireland)

-  Rose Series

-  Other Books

Notes and Questions

Title

Publ.

Collec.

     

1.

Books of Photos of
England & Scotland

Photographic View Albums

Photographic view album of Alva and district

1890

NLS

Photographic view album of Bristol and Clifton

Thank you to Nick White who wrote:

"I've inherited this book from my Nan.  She was born in 1914, but many of her books date from the late-1800s.

There are no real clues about the date of this book, other than the photos. The most useful of which shows the Bristol Library, but with no archway attached to it. This suggests that the book is pre-1906."

Nick White:  August 11, 2013

Hi Nick:

1. You'll see that other books in this series have been dated between 1895 and 1910.

2. Photos can be helpful in demonstrating that a book must have been published after a given date, BUT  cannot prove that a book must have been published before a given date.  Sometimes Valentines used photos taken several years earlier in the postcards and books that they published.

3.  Thank you, Nick, for sending the two photos below.

Peter Stubbs:  August 12, 2013

Photographic View Album of Bristol and Clifton -  Cover ©      Photographic View Album of Bristol and Clifton  -  Frontispiece ©

?

Priv

Photographic view album of Carlisle and Vicinity

?

Priv
(Tas, Aus)

Photographic view album of Edinburgh

Photographic View Album of Edinburgh - Cover ©      Photographic View Album of Edinburgh - Frontispiece ©

Photographic View Album of Edinburgh - Photograph of Edinburgh Castle and National Galleries ©      Photographic View Album of Edinburgh - Photograph of Edinburgh Castle from the Esplanade ©

Photographic View Album of Edinburgh - Photograph of Edinburgh from Calton Hill ©

?

Priv
(Tas, Aus)

Photographic view album of The English Lake District

Photographic View Album of The English Lake District - Cover ©      Photographic View Album of The English Lake District - Frontispiece ©

Photographic View Album of The English Lake District - Photograph of Ambleside from Loughrigg Fell ©

?

Priv
(Tas, Aus)

Photographic view album of Falkland and district

1910

NLS

Photographic view album of Girvan

1900

NLS

Photographic view album of Gourock and district

1900

NLS

Photographic view album 'Views of Liverpool'

Thank you to Joy Brown, British Columbia, Canada, for telling me about this book.  Joy tells me that the book includes a photo of SS Campania which was launched in 1892 , bur it has no Royal Liver Building photos.  That building dates from 1902.  There is also a date of '1898' hand written in Chinese at some time on the back of the book, so maybe it was published around then.

c, 1898

Priv (BC, Can)

Photographic view album of Newcastle-on-Tyne and district

Thank you to Phil Dickinson for telling me about this book.
Phil would like to know when it was published.  (email 28 Dec 2013)

1900

Priv (N Yorkshire)

Photographic view album of Oban and Neighbourhood

Photographic View Album of Oban and Neighbourhood - Cover ©      Photographic View Album of oban and Neighbourhood - Frontispiece ©

Photographic View Album of Oban and Neighbourhood - Photograph of Dunstaffrage Castle ©      Photographic View Album of Oban and Neighbourhood - Photograph of Oban from the South ©

?

Priv
(Tas, Aus)

Photographic view album of West Kilbride and district

1895

NLS

Views of Ashburne & Dovedale

Photograph of the front cover of a book photographed and printed by Valentine & Sons: "Photographic View Album of Ashburne & Dovedale" ©      Photograph of the back page of a book photographed and printed by Valentine & Sons: "Photographic View Album of Ashburne & Dovedale" ©

Thank you to Jess Lovatt for sending me the photos above of the cover and the back page of his book.  Jess wrote:

"Today I came across a book entitled 'Views of Ashburne & Dovedale. Published by C.Hales, Ashburne'.

On the back page it says:
' Photographed and printed by Valentine & Sons Ltd, Dundee'.

The spelling of Ashburne rather than Ashbourne is interesting. There are 16 photos in total."

Jess Lovatt, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England:  January 19, 2014: 

?

Priv
(Derbyshire)

Views of the Trossachs and Loch Lomond
(Valentine Series)

?

Priv (KY)

Calotype View Books

Campbletown  

Thank you to Richard Easson, Dornoch, Highlands, Scotland, for telling me about his copy of this book and for sending me a of its cover and of one of the illustrations in it.  The cover and the illustration look similar to those in the Edinburgh Calotype View Book below.

Acknowledgement:
  Richard Easson, Dornoch, Highlands, Scotland:  23, October 2015.

?

?

Edinburgh   (16 views 6ins x 4ins, hard red cover 8ins x 6ins)

The front cover of Valentine & Sons Collotype View Series book - Edinburgh ©    Inside the back cover of Valentine & Sons Collotype View Series book - Edinburgh ©

c.1900 Priv (Ed)

'Shire Series'

Picturesque Forfarshire  -  32 Photogravures + county map

?

St A

Picturesque Perthshire  -  40 Photogravures + county map

Thank you to Ken Dixon who wrote:

"The latest date mentioned in this book is 1905.  An article on 'Ancient Ferries' on p.54 says:

’Among these ferries, that at Kinclaven is perhaps the best known. It has been replaced by a handsome stone bridge, opened on April 22, 1905.' "

Ken Dixon, Conon Bridge, Ross-shire, Scotland:  20+23 July 2011

?

St A

c.1906

Priv (Ross)

Other Books

Abbotsford  12 photos for your album

1900

NLS

The Aberdeen Jew (Allan Junior)

Illustrated by Gregor McGregor

36 pages.  (Includes jokes, some now not 'PC')

Thank you to Richard Welburn, Lyn, Ontario, Canada, for the photograph below of this book.  Richard wrote:

"My book still has the original tartan cover and the 'hard to live in" picture on the inside cover.

Book published by Valentine & Sons  -  The Aberdeen Jew ©

July 1927?

Priv (Lon)

 

Priv (ON, Can)

Aberdeen Again (Allan Junior) -  compiler of
Canny Tales from Aberdeen,
The Aberdeen Jew
, etc., etc.

36 pages, brown cover with gold leaf.  Illustrations by D C Eyles.  Undated, but appear to have been done in 1928.
- Marc McNulty:  March 15, 2007]

Dr Richard Johnson wrote (on May 14, 2008):

"I wish to discover whether the cartoons in this book, drawn by D.C. Eyles possibly around 1928, are still within copyright. The cartoons bear Eyles' signature which is followed by '28.'"

Dr Richard Johnson added  (on May 20, 2008)::

"I believe that D.C. Eyles, the illustrator, died in 1972. So, his cartoons are probably not out of copyright yet.

Thank you to Richard Welburn, Lyn, Ontario, Canada, for the photograph below of this book

Book published by Valentine & Sons  -  Aberdeen Again! ©

?

Priv (NB, Can)

Priv (BC, Can)

Priv (Abn)

Priv (ON, Can)

Burns - in Scottish Scene & Song  (Allan Junior)

The owner of this book writes:

"This book is an early type of paperback, published in 1925, quite good quality with brown card covers and well printed and published

It is a collection of scenes, probably taken from the Valentine postcard catalogue, of locations which are closely associated with Burns, particularly where mentioned in his prose.

The scenes/photographs are produced in sepia and all in all it is a delightful little book.

I cannot find reference to it anywhere and wonder if you or your colleagues can throw any light on its reception or otherwise by the world at large.  I shall welcome any comments."

1925

 Priv (E Sx)

The Canny Scot (Allan Junior)

Illustrated by Charles Crombie

Ian and Sue Barker wrote (on Dec 24, 2010 + Jan 3, 2011):  "This book is undated, but appears from the illustrations to be mid-1920s."

Thank you to Richard Welburn, Lyn, Ontario, Canada, for the photograph below of this book

Book published by Valentine & Sons  -  The Canny Scott ©

mid-1920s?

Priv (Lanc)

  Priv (ON, Can)

Canny Tales about Ministers and Elders  (Allan Junior)

?

Priv (BC, Can)

Canny Tales fae Aberdeen  (Allan Junior)

(i) [23rd edition] - jokes & humorous stories

(ii) [13th edition]

(iii) Front cover embossed with gold writing

(i) 1930
(ii) May 1926

St A
Priv (SC)
Priv (Dum)
Priv (BC, Can)

Dundee 1947
Presented by Valentine & Sons Ltd to members of the British Association as a souvenir of their visit to Dundee.

1947

NLS

Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile and Holyrood
Compiled by Robert Cochrane, Editor of 'Pentland Walks'

Valentine *& Anderson's Ltd., Edinburgh
Valentine & Sons Ltd, Dundee & London

Robert Miller, Victoria, Australia wrote:

"This book was given or sent to my great grandmother in 1917.  On the inside front cover is a sticker stating that it was bought at John Knox House in the High Street of Edinburgh.  The sticker also has on it 'Old Edinburgh Arts & Crafts Ltd.'

My question is do you know of this book and is it a collectable item or very common?"

<1918

Priv (PA, USA)

English Lakes in Verse

?

Priv

Humorous Scottish War Stories

Selected from the Daily Mail
Edited by Allan Junior
Illustrated:  Fred Bennett

Thank you to Richard Welburn, Lyn, Ontario, Canada, for the photograph below of this book

Book published by Valentine & Sons  -  Humerous Scottish War Stories ©

?

Priv

Priv (ON Can)

Mair Canny Tales fae Aberdeen  (Allan Junior)

Front cover embossed with gold writing

?

Priv (Dum)
Priv (BC, Can)

Lancashire and Lakeland

Book published by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  Lancashire and Lakeland  -  Book Cover ©     Book published by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  Lancashire and Lakeland  -  Frontispiece ©

  Book published by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  Lancashire and Lakeland  -  Barrow in Furness ©     ../0_B/0_books_-_valentine_lancashire_and_lakeland_cover.htm ©

no date

Priv
(Buck)

Memories of London

'A picture souvenir of the world's greatest city'

Jan Fisher, who has a copy of this book, wrote:

"It  contains 35 color pictures (postcard type, not photos) along with a map and some interesting dates in the history of London.

On looking through this book, I see that several pages are duplicated.  Is this a common thing?"

Jan Fisher, Staffordshire, England:  4+7+12 April 2012

I have not come across pages being duplicated in Valentine books, but others may have seen this.  Jan would like to know approximately what year this book was published.

?

Priv
(Staf)

Memories of the Western Highlands

36 camera studies in sepia tone reproduced from exclusive copyright negatives.

April Rees has a copy of this book and would like to know more about it including the value of the book.  This book seems likely to be from the same series as 'Magic West' below.

?

Priv

Magic West:  Highlands & Islands of Western Scotland
36 camera studies in sepia tone reproduced from exclusive copyright negatives.

1930

NLS

My Best Scotch Stories  (Sir Harry Lauder)

?

Priv (BC, Can)

Old Songs of Merrie England  -  1500-1800

?

Priv

Perth and District
'Photographic Album of the City of Perth'
Published by Robert Inglis, Aesthetic Stationer, Perth

Adanya, who owns this book, wrote "I think it's circa 1905 because that's what was written by my relatives.  It was a gift."

c1905?

Priv

Photographic views of Mauchline

1880

NLS

Photographs of views of Scotland and Scottish People

1890

NLS

Photographs, Scottish scenery

1870

NLS

Photographic view album of Inverkeithing and North Queensferry

c.1900

NLS

Scotland;  Picturesque and Romantic

Book published by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  Scotland Picturesque and Romantic ©

Book published by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  Scotland Picturesque and Romantic ©    Book published by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  Scotland Picturesque and Romantic ©

no date

but I've seen another copy dated 1934

Priv
(Yeo)

Stories frae Aberdeen  (Peter Esslemont)

?

Priv (BC, Can)

Stories told by Sir James Taggart

?

Priv (BC, Can)

Tommy Lorne's Book of Scottish Humour
Illustrated:  Fred Bennett

Thank you to Richard Welburn, Lyn, Ontario, Canada, for the photograph below of this book

 Book published by Valentine & Sons  -  The Book of Scottish Humour ©

1930

Priv (ON, Can)

2.

Children's Books

'Book Toys'

The Story of the Railway Engine

Nancy, the owner of this book tells me:

- This book measures 13 ins x 8 ins (so is much larger than most Valentine books for children).

- It is No B608 in the Valentine 'Book Toy' series.

- The wheels spin, and on the front cover, there is also a connecting rod that moves.

Below are illustrations of the book's front and back covers and title page.

 The front cover of  a children's 'book toy' by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'The Story of the Railway Engine'©

The back cover of  a children's 'book toy' by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'The Story of the Railway Engine' ©

The title page of  a children's 'book toy' by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'The Story of the Railway Engine' ©

- no date Priv
(NY)

Nancy would like to know more about when this book was published and its value now.

The style of the 4-2-0 engine on this illustration suggests to me that this 'book toy' might have been published around the 1920s.

This list of branches for Valentine & Sons given in the book may also provide a clue as to when this 'book toy' would have been produced.

'Valentine & Sons, Ltd
Dundee & London
Branches - Cape Town, Melbourne, Toronto, etc.'

The Story of the Motor Car

This book measures 14.2 ins x 8.5 ins (so is much larger than most Valentine books for children).

It is No B609 in the Valentine 'Book Toy' series.

The wheels spin, and there is a hole through the front of the radiator for string to pull the car with.

The book has pages 10 ins x 4.3 ins - a title page and 22 pages of pictures and text. 

Below are illustrations of the book's front and back covers, title page and pages 2 to 5.  Clicking on any of the thumbnail images below will take you to a web page that includes all the pages in the book.

A children's 'book toy' by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'The Story of the Railway Engine' ©

A children's 'book toy' by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'The Story of the Railway Engine' ©

A children's 'book toy' by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'The Story of the Railway Engine' © 

 A children's 'book toy' by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'The Story of the Motor Car'  -  Pages 2-3 ©      A children's 'book toy' by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'The Story of the Motor Car'  -  Pages 4-5 ©

- no date,
possibly around 1930
Priv
(NSW, Aus)

THEN

Priv
(Edin)

The style of the vehicles in this book suggests to me that this 'book toy' might have been published around the 1920s.

The road signs on page 20 are the style that were in use in Britain before the rectangular road signs with triangles on top were introduced in 1934.

This list of branches for Valentine & Sons given in the book may also provide a clue as to when this 'book toy' would have been produced.

'Valentine & Sons, Ltd, Dundee & London
Branches - Cape Town, Melbourne, Toronto, etc.'

Tanks in Action

Thank you to Neil Pitts for sending me photos of his book 'Tanks in Action'.  Neil wrote

"This book was given to Eric, the father of my father-in-law by his father who was on leave from the war in 1916.

It looks like it was published in December 1916.  The serial number on the book is B345."

Neil Pitts:  February 22, 2014

The Front Cover of a 'book toy' published by Valentine & Sons  -  'Tanks in Action' ©  The Title Page of a 'book toy' published by Valentine & Sons  -  'Tanks in Action' ©

 

Passed for Publication:
6 December 1916
Priv
 

The Tale of Tim Tiger

Thank you to Susan Garland, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, for telling me about her book.  Susan wrote:

"I have a copy of this 'book toy'. 

-  It is in the 'Dolly Series'.

- The cover is a tiger with a moveable head and eyes.

-  The book was a gift a number of years ago.

Susan Garland:  :  20 October 2016

- no date Priv
(BC, Can)
 
 

'Chummy'

The Chummy ABC  -  CB2/3

Thank you to Jane Sparham who wrote:

"This book has a memorable entry for G:
 'G is for gunner who brings down the Hun'.

At the back of the book is a poem, Jollyboy Jack.

It is a small pliable paper covered book.  There is no date of publication."

Priv (S Wal)

UPDATE:  Willie Thompson, Sunderland, Tyne & Weir, England has now  told me of some more entries from this book:

-  A is for Aeroplane

-  B is for Barrage Balloon

-  D is for Destroyer

-  H is for Home Guard with bayonet and gun

-  X is for eXpert

QUESTION:  Willie asks:  "Do you happen o know the full text?"  If you happen to know it, can you please email me, then I'll pass it on to Willie.  Thank you.

  -  Peter Stubbs:  January 21, 2010

The Chummy Book of Wonders  -  CB2/10, 96pp.

c.1950

For sale £6.48 AbeBooks, 11/12

The Chummy Book of Little Ships  -  CB2/7

c.1950

For sale £6.48 AbeBooks, 11/12

c.1950

1945

NLS

The Chummy Book of Fairy Stories  -  CB2/10

?

NLS

The Chummy Book of Wonders  -  CB2/10, 96pp.

c.1950

For sale £6.48 AbeBooks, 11/12

The Little ABC Book of Birds  -  CB3/19

1945

NLS

Mothers and Babies  (These were animals + birds ) - CB3/23

1943

NLS

The Story of Cyril the Squirrel  -  CB3/25

1943

NLS

The Story of the Brownie Family  -  CB3/27

1943

NLS

Our Wonderful Railways  -  CB3/28

1944

NLS

Billy and Betty  -  CB4/20

1944

NLS

Plain Sailing for Little Learners  -  CB4/31

?

NLS

The Chummy Animal Book  -  CB4/32

1945

NLS

The Chummy ??? Book  -  CB4/33

1945

NLS

The Happy Days Painting and Lettering Book  -  CB4/37

1945

NLS

Valentine chummy books  [Which ones?]

1943

NLS

A Trip to ABC Land  -   CB43 No photos.

?

NLS

Busybodies in Poems and Pictures   -  CB44.

a.1948

NLS

'Do You Know?'

"Valentine's Toy Books are children's Joy Books"

Motor Cars  -  B613

'Do You Know? - Motor Cars' book published by Valentine & Sons ©

One of the pictures in the book, 'Do You Know? - Motor Cars' published by Valentine & Sons ©
One of the pictures in the book, 'Do You Know? - Motor Cars' published by Valentine & Sons ©

Bryan Norfolk, who sent me images of the cover of this book and of two of the 24 cars that feature in the book (3 to a page) is keen to discover when this book was published.

Brian estimates c.1926/27.  One of the cars in the book is a Rolls Royce 'New Phantom' that was introduced in 1925.

Bryan is a collector of cigarette and trade cards that feature the Austin Seven motor car of the 1920s/30s.

c.1926/27?

Priv (Lon)

+

Priv (Harp)

British Wild Birds  -  B616

?

Priv (Lon)

British Wild Flowers  -  B614

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Do You Knows' series of booklets  -  British Wild Flowers ©    A page from a small book in Valentine's 'Do You Knows' series of booklets  -  British Wild Flowers ©

?

For sale £10 AbeBooks, 11/12

AND

Priv (Lon)

Wild Animals  -  B615

c.1920
(Diane Lawson)

Priv (Lon)

'Golden Thoughts'

booklets

As Big Ben Strikes   (Allan Junior) -  GT 620

? Priv (VA USA)

At Memory's Call
A Little Book of Birthday Verses
 (Allan Junior)
9 x 13cm

1920

For sale £10

on  AbeBooks, 11/12

Comforting Thoughts   (Mabel Lucie Atwell)
9 x 13cm

1920

For sale at opening bid of £1.99 on eBay,

and at prices from £25 to ,,, on Amazon, 11/12

For Today   (Mabel Lucie Atwell)
24mo. 16pp                                                      GT 616 

c.1940

For sale at prices ranging from £25 to £85 on eBay, AbeBooks AND Amazon, 11/12

AND

Priv (Ed)

GT 616 

 

For sale £60.57

AND £40.38

on  AbeBooks, 11/12

AND

Priv
(Ed)

Get Well
-
And Other Verses of Good Cheer
 (Allan Junior) GT 603

3.5ins x 5 ins = 9 x 13cm

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Get Well! ©      The frontispiece of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Get Well! ©

1920 For sale (£10 for 3 booklets)
on  AbeBooks, 11/12

AND

Priv
(Vic, Aus)

Golden Thoughts about Father  (Allan Junior)

Book published by Valentine & SOns - Golden Thoughts About Father ©

 (Allan Junior) -  GT 615

Posted 28 Jan 1945
(possibly new then)

For sale

opening bid £1.99

on  eBay,11/12

AND

Priv (VA)

Golden Thoughts about Father  (Allan Junior)

 16pp "incl charming colour ills. (9 x 13cm)"

c.1920 For Sale: £5
on AbeBooks, 11/12

Golden Thoughts about Mother  (Allan Junior)

Book published by Valentine & SOns - Golden Thoughts About Mother ©

 (Allan Junior) -  GT 604

 

Posted 28 Jan 1945
(possibly new then)
Priv (VA)

Golden Thoughts for the Silent Minute Fellowship   (Allan Junior) -  GT 18

? Priv (W Mid)

In God's Care  (Allan Junior)
 32mo.

undated For Sale: £6.50
 on AbeBooks, 11/12

Little Psalms of the Months  -  GT 618       3.5ins x 5 ins

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Little Psalms of the Months ©    The frontispiece of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Little Psalms of the Months ©

? Priv (Kent)

In My Garden and Other Verses (Allan Junior)
GT 6058 GT 605
   3.5 x 5 ins = 9 x 13cm

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  In my Garden and other verses ©    The frontispiece of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  In my Garden and Other Verses ©

Thank you to Michelle Neve, Stockport, Greater Manchester for telling me that her Gran had a copy of this book.

There is no date printed in the book, but '8 August 1944' has been written on the book.

For sale (£10 for 3 booklets)
on  AbeBooks, 11/12

AND

Priv

Rhymes for the Times  (Allan Junior)
32mo.  16pp.

1920 For Sale £1
on AbeBooks, 11/12

Sweetheart o' Mine (Allan Junior) -  GT 610

©    The frontispiece of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Verses to Mother ©

Inscribed from the owner's mother by the owner's father:  December 1945.

Priv (London)

The owner of another copy of this book tells me that the book was sent to her grandfather by her grandmother.

She believes this would have been around the time of their marriage in 1920.

Priv
(Birmingham)

Thank you to Robert Hughes for sending the photograph of this book cover.

Robert tells me that the book was sent by his mother to his father during wartime.  He would guess that it was printed during the wartime  i.e. 1939-45.

Priv
(South Wales)

The Golden Booklet of Wedding Anniversary Verses (Allan Junior)  -  GT 609

Inscribed 11-11-1944

Priv (Essex)

This England (Compiled by John Allan.  Book of poems by Wordsworth, Blake, Allan Junior, Browning, Rabbie Burns, etc.)    GT3

This book appears to have been produced in at least two sizes.  I have been told about book that are:
(a) 
18cm x 12 cm   and   (b) 'Only 4ins x 2ins'

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  This England ©     The frontispiece of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  This England ©

Date?

Priv (Lanc)

Priv
(SA, Aus)

Twenty-One To-day and other verses
 (Allan Junior, illustrated by Anne Rochester)  GT 602

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Twenty-one To-day ©    The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Twenty-one To-day ©

1941

For sale £4.99

on  eBay, 11/12

AND

Priv (N Yks)

Verses by Allan Junior (Margaret Kent)   -  GT 4

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Verses to Mother ©    The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Verses to Mother ©

Thank you to George Smith, British Columbia, Canada who wrote:

"I wonder if Allan Junior is a nom de plume? -  A catchall term for someone editing a variety of contributors perhaps?

Your site has some reference to an 'Allan Junior', a painter"

George added:

"Looking at the cover brought to mind my first ventures into reading.  The style is reminiscent of books I read or had read  to me in the 1930s.

We could not afford the 1st editions, so this series might date from the 1920s."

George Smith: Aug 4+5, 2008

Priv (NY)

Verses to Mother (Margaret Kent)   -  GT 628
(H Trevelyan-Thomson (Illus. Anne Rochester)

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Verses to Mother ©    The frontispiece of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  -  Verses to Mother ©

Date (handwritten inside): 1948 Priv (Leeds)

Wedding Day Salutations
 (Allan Junior, illustrated by Anne Rochester)  GT 613

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  - Wedding Day Salutations ©    The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  - Wedding Day Salutations ©

1941 Priv (N Yks)
Priv (W Mid)

Welcome Little Stranger
 (Allan Junior, illustrated by Anne Rochester)  GT 621

The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  - Welcome Litttle Stranger ©    The cover of a small book in Valentine's 'Golden Thoughts' series of booklets  - Welcome Litttle Stranger ©

1941 For sale £21.47
on  AbeBooks, 11/12

AND

Priv (N Yks)

'Toys  & Dolly'

Children's Books

Black Sambo  -  B219 (British Patent #1131

1913

 

Thank you to Yvonne Cain, now living in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia for telling me about many editions of Black Sambo' from other publishers, published at various dates from 1899 to 1971!

Yvonne added: "My son was given the book in 1973 and read it to his children and they loved it, but it's probable not the book to read nowadays.  This book was by Helen Bannerman."

Other Children's Books

Aladdin

This book was illustrated in an eBay advert and
described as: "Die Cut Antique Shape Book,
Valentine & Sons, Chinese Boy Cover"

1907 *

This book was offered for sale on eBay in Jan 2012 for a 'Buy It Now' price of US$49.99 + shipping

The seller was in Mount Arlington, New Jersey, USA.

I don't know whether or not he found a buyer at that price.

* This is the date that was quoted in the eBay advert.

eBay
(NJ)

Beauty and the Beast

1907 Priv
(TX)

Babes in the Wood
Published by Valentine & Sons, Dundee, London, Montreal.
The owner of one copy of this book has asked me who the author was, and what is the value of this book..

I've also received the two messages below from owners of other copies of the same book.

1907 Priv
(OR)

"This is one of five 'book toys' that I acquired recently.  All the books are shaped around the design of their front cover.  This one is numbered B129 inside the front page.  These books  came from a lady who had them as a child in the 1920s, but I'm unsure if they were new at the time."

Jeremy Culpin, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire:  Feb 28, 2009

owned by a child in 1920s Priv
(Camb)

Cover of the book 'Babes in the Wood', published by Valentine & sons ©

"Here is a photo of the cover of my book.  There is no number and no mention of a series on this book. The first page just says: 'The Babes in the Wood', Valentine & sons, 1907 LTD. Dundee, London and Montreal"

And then there follows the story with an illustration on each facing page. The final page is followed by an illustration on the inside back cover. The outside back cover looks exactly like the front cover. The story is on eleven two-sided pages, plus inside back cover."

Dianne Stevens, Wisconsin, USA:  Aug 24+25, 2015

owned by a child in 1920s Priv
(WI)

Baby Bunting

"This is one of five 'book toys' that I acquired recently.  All the books are shaped around the design of their front cover.  This one is numbered B111 inside the front page.  These books  came from a lady who had them as a child in the 1920s, but I'm unsure if they were new at the time."

Jeremy Culpin, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire:  Feb 28, 2009

owned by a child in 1920s Priv
(Camb)

Canny Tales from Aberdeen
 compiled by Allan Junior, Illustrated by Gregor McGregor.

18th ed.
March 1927
Priv
(Lon)

Now You Tell One
stories of Irish wit and humour by George A Birmingham

2nd ed.
1927
Priv
(Lon)

The Cow

no date Priv
(TX)

Dick Whittington

"This is one of five 'book toys' that I acquired recently.  All the books are shaped around the design of their front cover.  This one is numbered B129 inside the front page.  These books  came from a lady who had them as a child in the 1920s, but I'm unsure if they were new at the time."

Jeremy Culpin, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire:  Feb 28, 2009

1907 Priv
(TX)
owned by a child in 1920s Priv
(Camb)

 

The Collie Dog

©

  The front page of a children'sook by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  The Collie Dog ©

"The dimensions of this book are 6 1/4 ins x 3 9/16 ins.  Can you tell me if there is any way to discover how much this book might be worth?"

Elaine Haas, Laurel, Maryland, USA: January 14, 2012

1907 *

This book was offered for sale on eBay in Jan 2012 for a 'Buy It Now' price of US$49.99 + shipping

The seller was in Mount Arlington, New Jersey, USA.

I don't know whether or not he found a buyer at that price.

* This is the date that was quoted in the eBay advert.

Priv
(MD)

eBay
(NJ)

The Lucky White Rabbit

Book published by Valentine & Sons Ltd, probably in the early-1900s  -   The Lucky White Rabbit  - Outside of Book Covers ©

©

"This little children's book was given by cousins to my grand-aunt who was born in 1906"

Jane Knapp, Marion, Iowa, USA:  December 2+14, 2012

Date?

I would expect it to be
 early-1900s, like
'The Collie Dog'
book above.

Priv
(IA)

The Doll's House

The front and back covers of a children's book by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  The Doll's House ©

 The front page of a children'sook by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  The Doll's House ©

"This is one of five 'book toys' that I acquired recently.  All the books are shaped around the design of their front cover.  This one is numbered B111 inside the front page.  These books  came from a lady who had them as a child in the 1920s, but I'm unsure if they were new at the time."

Jeremy Culpin, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire:  Feb 28, 2009

? Priv
(NY)
Valentine & Sons Ltd
1907
Priv
(TX)
Date (as a gift):  Oct 1915 Priv
(NV)
owned by a child in 1920s Priv
(Camb)

The Elephant

Date (as a gift):  Oct 1915 Priv
(NV)

Hansel & Gretel

1907 Priv
(TX)

Jack the Giant Killer

1907 Priv
(TX)

The Horse

no date Priv
(TX)

The Lucky White Rabbit

A book in the shape of a rabbit

early 1900s? Priv
(KS)

Merry and Bight

"This is one of five 'book toys' that I acquired recently.  All the books are shaped around the design of their front cover.  This one is numbered B121 inside the front page.  These books  came from a lady who had them as a child in the 1920s, but I'm unsure if they were new at the time."

Jeremy Culpin, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire:  Feb 28, 2009

The front and back covers of a children's book by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  Merry and Bright ©     The front page of a children'sook by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  Merry and Bright ©

owned by a child in 1920s Priv
(Camb)

Noah's Ark

1907 Priv
(TX)

Rock-a-Bye-Baby
Mabel Lucie Attwell,  No author,   A cut-out shaped book made of hard cardboard, approx 7-8 pages.

Given Christmas1921 Priv (Warr)

Sister Susie and the Twins
Mabel Lucie Attwell,  No author.  A cut-out shaped book made of hard cardboard with approx 7-8 pages.

Given Christmas1921 Priv (Warr)

Stories
told by Sir James Taggart

8th ed.
1927
Priv (Lon)

Taffy Tales from Walsh Wales
 compiled by C W Miles, Illustrated by Harry Low

1926 Priv (Lon)

The Tale of Little Priscillia Purr

? Priv

The Tale of Peter Pusskin

? Priv

The Tale of Tabby Twins

? Priv  (LSA)

The Tale of the Naughty Kitty Cat  (illustrations by Louis Wain)

Request

Please e-mail me if you have a copy of this book.  The owner of this  book hopes to repair it but needs to know what is written on the spine.

Thank you to Katharine who replied from Lytham St Annes, saying "I don’t have the title mentioned, but another in the series – The Tale of the Tabby Twins. In answer to your question, it is only the title that is written on the spine.

Acknowledgement:  Diana Black, Wakarusa, Indiana, USA  January 28, 2009

Reply

Thank you to Nigel Wallace, York, Yorkshire, England for telling me that the title 'THE TALE OF THE NAUGHTY KITTY CAT' is written along the spine of this book in brown letters.

I had originally thought that this book might have been published around 1924 because the copy above has the date 'Easter 1924' written on it.  However, Nigel tells me that others believe that the book would have been published around 1920.

Acknowledgement:  Nigel Wallace, York, Yorkshire, England:
May 24, 2012

c.1920?

Priv (IN)

Priv (York)

'Valtay Books'

The numbers suggest that these may also be part of the Chummy Books series.

Valtay is presumably an abbreviation of Valentines on the River Tay

Ships Past and Present  -   CB4/30

a.1946?

NLS

The Happy Days Painting and Lettering Book  -  CB4/37

1945

NLS

My Favourite Farm Book   -  CB6/40

a.1947

NLS

Other Books

The Lady of the Lake

Message 1

The owner of this book writes:

"Neither the cover, the spine nor the title page of the book list the author, but it is undoubtedly Sir Walter Scott's six cantos of poetry. 

There are twelve illustrations among the 192 pages  measuring 9 1/2 cm x 12 1/2 cm. 

The cover is a red, blue, gold and white plaid padded cloth that appears to have been very well preserved in a heavy clear cellophane wrap. 

The inscription inside the book reads that it was bought on Aug 17 ~25,at Lake Katrine, Scotland.

If you or your contacts know anything more about this book, would you please let me know?"

If you can provide any more information, please e-mail me.

  Thank you.  - Peter Stubbs  November 29, 2007

<1913

Priv (TX)

The Lady of the Lake

Message 2

Thank you to Brian Marshall, Erdington, West Midlands for sending me more information about this book

Brian's comments included the following:

"The book has a padded tartan cover and gilt edging to the pages.  It is still in its original cardboard box.

The book is undated, but has a message and hand-drawn masonic symbol on the flyleaf.  The message is dated July 29, 1912."

Message received: February 22, 2010

The Lady of the Lake

Message 3

Ted Gilliver wrote:

"This is a little book 8.5cm x 6.0 cm, covered in McGregor tartan, with illustrations.  I have had it for many years." 

 Ted Gilliver, Christchurch, New Zealand:  April 4, 2009

Publ:

Valentine & Anderson Ltd, Edinburgh.  That's not a company that I knew of. *

Valentine & Sons Ltd., Dundee and London.

* However, but I've now been told of another similar book

See 'Mary Queen of Scots' below.

Priv (NZ)

Merrie England in Verse and Pictures (Allan Junior)

Valentine Book Cover  -  Merrie England in Verse and Pictures ©

?

Priv  (Essex)

The Romance of Mary Queen of Scots

Bob Street, Canada, wrote:

"I have a first edition of this book, with soft cover and various pictures in the book."

?

Pr (Can)

Scottish Wit & Humour - humorous short stories + poems

1908

St A

Telling the Time  Big Ben  A Clock Book in Rhyme

Book published by Valentine & Sons  -  Telling the Time  -  Cover ©

Book published by Valentine & Sons  -  Telling the Time  -  Frontispiece ©        Book published by Valentine & Sons  -  Telling the Time  -  Verse ©

Marlene, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, wrote:

"I received this book from my grandparents as a child.  I can't find a date on it, which is what started my search, but it says Printed and Published by Valentine & Sons, Ltd., Dundee and London.  Branches Cape Town, Melbourne, Toronto, etc.  Would you know approximately the date for this book?  I'd appreciate any information possible."

Marlene, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada:
  April 29 + May 1, 2011

Please click on the thumbnail images above to enlarge the pictures and read some of the verse.

Probably 1923 or earlier

but see COMMENT + UPDATE below.

Priv (Can)

COMMENT

I reached this conclusion about the likely date of this book after reading that Valentine & Sons sold off their overseas businesses in 1923.

Ref:  Valentine Collection booklet, published by University of St Andrews

UPDATE

Marlene wrote again on May 5, 2011, telling me that she thinks the book probably dates from the 1950s.

So my conclusion about the date of the book may not be reliable.

Does anybody else have any views on this topic?

The Aberdeen Jew (Allan Junior)
illustrations by Gregor McGregor, 36pp

  Ackn:  Lyn, Ontario, Canada

1927

Priv (Sun)

The Children's Own Hymn Book

Book published by Valentine & Sons, 1909  -  The Children's Own Hymn Book ©

July 1909

Priv (Gwe)

To Fairy Dell

?

Priv

3.

English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh Books

'Birthday Series'

Shakespeare Birthday Book

Subtitle:  The Poet's Homeland

Dave Shannon, Denia, Costa Blanca, Spain:  January 4+5, 2010

Publ:  Valentine & Son, Dundee, London, Edinburgh. Priv (Spain)

'Gem Selection'

Songs of Ireland

Illustrated from drawings by J F O'Hea and John Carey, with historical and bibliographical annotations by C F Conin.

Karen Cranford wrote:

"I'm interested in learning:

-  the history of the book

-  it's publishing date

-  if there are any other copies or reprints.

I'm also interested in restoring the book as it has family history behind it.

 Any information kindly welcomed." 

 Karen Cranford, Newfoundland, Canada, May 28, 2008

Publ:  Valentine & Sons Ltd., Dublin Priv (NF, Can)

If you think you might be able to answer any of Karen's questions, please email me then I'll pass your message on to her.    Thank you.    - Peter Stubbs:  May 31, 2008.

'Rose Series'

Selections from Shakespeare (268 pages, 16 illustrations)

Janice Chambers, Derbyshire, England, added:

"My copy of this book is hand-painted on the front and the written inscription inside the first page says that it was given as a gift in 1920.

Do you happen to know whether these books are rare, whether there were many printed or how much it would have cost back then?"

<1925

Priv

+

Priv (Der)

I don't know how many copies of this book were printed.  I would not have expected it to be expensive when new.  I don't know its value now.

Perhaps somebody else might be able to answer these questions.  If you know any of the answers, please email me.  Thank you.

Peter Stubbs: March 13, 2010

Book published by Valentine & Sons, around 1914 -  Rose Series  -  Selection from the Ballads, Poems and Songs of Alfred Lord Tennyson ©

Selections from the Ballads, Poems and Songs of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate (with illustrations)

Sandra McGechan wrote:

"There is an inscription in pencil in this book, dating it to around 1914.  It would be great if you could tell me anything about the book.  Is it rare or were they quite common?"

Sandra McGechan, Macclesfield, Cheshire, England:  July 25, 2009

Laura Simsen also has a copy of this book.

Laura wrote:

"There is note in grey lead in my book, with the date 1906 written

Laura Simsen, Australia, 21 May 2013

c.1906

Priv (Ches)

Priv (Aus)

Selections from Poems, Ballads and Sonnets of William Wordsworth (12 illustrations) Shakespeare

no date

Priv (Wrex)

Selections of Poems, Ballads and Sonnets from William Wordsworth, No2 (12 illustrations)

no date

Priv

Selections of Old English Ballads
(10 illustrations)

Kim Hesbon wrote:

"This book is 6cm x 9cm with a red tartan cover. My uncle sent it to my Mom from England in 1942."

Kim Hesbon:  Windsor, Ontario, Canada:
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook:  October 20, 2009

no date
<1943

Priv (Can)

'The Thistle Library Series'

Edinburgh of Today    or

Walks Around Scotland's Capital

Thank you to JeryLyn Harrington who wrote:

"I have a small book from 'The Thistle Library Series' published by Valentine Sons, Limited, entitled, 'Edinburgh of Today' by Oliphant Smeaton with illustrations.

There is a note in the front of the book that dates it back to the early part of the of the 1900s, before the 1st World War."

JeryLyn Harrington:  June 29, 2013

Book published by Valentine & Sons Ltd  -  'Edinburgh of Today' ©

Publ:

Valentine & Sons Ltd., Dundee, Edinburgh  and London.

pre-1st World War

Priv

Mary Queen of Scots

Scottie wrote:

"I also have the very same book as 'The Lady of the Lake' (above) - except for the title, mine being ,Mary Queen of Scots'.  Above the title are the words 'Thistle Series'. 

Both books are the same size and have the same padded silk tartan cover."

Scottie:  October 3, 2010

Thank you to Jack Simcox for telling me that he also has a copy of the Valentine book, 'Mary Queen of Scots' and for sending me a copy of these pages from the book.

Valentine Book  -  Mary Queen of Scots ©

Publ:

 

Valentine & Sons Ltd., Dundee and London.

Priv

The Lady of the Lake

This is a small book with a tartan cover.

Julie Scott Geelong, Victoria, Australia, wrote:

"I've just picked up this book at auction.  Can you tell me when it was published, or anything else about it?"

Can anybody help to answer this question?.

?

Priv
(Vic, Aus)

Other Books

95 Views of Abergele and North Wales

(Valentine & Sons)

1907

Priv (KY)

350 Photographic Views of London

Juel Leonard wrote:

"I have a copy of this book.  It belonged to my Aunt who died in 1945.  Can anyone tell me  who the photographer was or any other information about the book;  Do you perhaps have any idea of the value of the book?"

Juel Leonard, Chagrin Falls Ohio:  August 1, 2010

1907

Priv (OH)

Killarney

1900

NLS

Liverpool, New Brighton & Birkenhead View Book

Michael Burer wrote:

"This book of artistic views measures 27cm x 25cm.  It has 26 pages with sepia-toned whole page photos, including one of LIverpool Landing Stage with an ocean liner.

Its cover is made of a brownish sort of carton paper and portrays:

- Right-bottom corner: a  stork in a circle with a leaf in its beak

- Left upper corner of the cover:  Neptune and a Merman (no Maid as he's wearing a beard and blowing a horn). 

Between them they are holding a shield.  Upon it is the same stork as mentioned before.

Underneath is a banner with Latin inscription:
              'deus mobis hec otia pecit'.

Across the whole front is printed 'Liverpool' in orange red with black outlining, as are the storks. The frontispiece is a drawing of what appears to be Liverpool Cathedral.

Michael W Burer

Valentine & Sons Ltd., Dundee and London.

No date - approx 1940?

The owner would be very keen to know more about this book and when it was published.

The book is signed and dated by the owner's father:  24 October 1942.

Priv

Photographic Views of Windsor

(16 plates)

David Lodge tells me::

"I am trying to discover when this book was published.  One of the plates shows a leaner-looking Victoria with Albert above two captions - "Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way," and "Windsor Castle - Statue of The Queen and Prince Consort," leads me to believe the book was published after he died in 1861 and before she died in 1901. It is possible it was released closer to his death than hers. What do you think?"

?

Priv

Poems by Robert Burns

Don Holmes, Nottingham, wrote:

"I have a pocket edition of poems by Robert Burns with a gold finish to the edges of the pages.  The cover is in tartan and the book has illustrations.

The book was given to my wife's grandmother in 1919 and is in first class condition and has the original cardboard box."

Publ:

Valentine & Sons Ltd., Dundee, Edinburgh and London

1919 or earlier

Priv (Not)

This England
David Shurrock, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, wrote:

"I acquired this book in a box bought from a boot sale and wondered if you can give me any information about it.  i.e. date, value, are they photos or something else?"

I am not familiar with this book, so cannot answer the questions that David asks.  Perhaps somebody else will know the answers.

Thank you to Donna James for giving more info below.

?

Priv (Buck)

This England

Cover of 'This England' book, published by Valentine & Sons ©   Frontispiece of 'This England' book, published by Valentine & Sons ©

Picture of Maidstone from 'This England' book, published by Valentine & Sons ©    Picture of Oxford from 'This England' book, published by Valentine & Sons ©

Donna wrote:

"This is a lovely little book that I bought".  It is described as 'A Pictorial Memento of the scenic loveliness that lies within the land which the King calls "Our Own Dear Home".'

The book is postcard format, 18cm x 12cm, staple-bound with 64 plates in full colour, each page with a line or two of verse appropriate to the scene."

The list of views that Donna sent to me includes several of London, and  others form throughout England - Christchurch, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Ilkley Land's End,  Maidstone, Minehead, Norfolk, Oxford Stratford-on-Avon, Weymouth,  Whitby, Windsor, Windermere, etc., etc.

Donna James:  May 31 + (3 emails) June 1, 2014

No date, but based on the quotation on the frontispiece:
"Our Own Dear Home" quote from the King." it may be c1940-52.

Priv (ON, Can)

Views of London

(Photographic View Album)

Bill Summers, Wales,  tells me that one of his relatives has a copy of this book.  It has 23 views of London

?

Priv

Views of London

Derek tells me about another book with the same title as above, but with more photos. 

-  Title on the cover : 'Views of London

-  Title on front page:  Photographic View Album of London

-  Photos: 28, some full-page, some half-page.

-  Cover: hard, black with gold bands + gold lettering

-  Size:  8.9 ins x 6.75 ins.

Derek, at one time, had 3 or 4 books in this series, but of other cities.  He believes that one of them had photos of Birmingham.

Probably early-1900s.
(All the transport in the photos is horse drawn.)

Derek would like to find a way of dating this book more accurately.

Priv

Views of Westminster Abbey

Desha Smith wrote:

"The cover of this book is black with gold detailing, including the Royal Crest.  It has 16 black+white photos of Royal Views in and around Westminster Abbey."

    The cover of a book 'Views os Westminster Abbey' published by Valentine & Sons Ltd. ©

?

Priv (PA)

Notes

on the Books in the tables above

In the tables above, I have used these abbreviations:

St A = St Andrews University Library

NLS = National Library of Scotland

Priv = Private Collections

St Andrews University Library

St Andrews University LIbrary acquired the archive of Valentine monochrome post cards when Valentine ceased trading.  It also has a few etchings of St Andrews and a few books, all published by Valentine.

The library also has a number of books published by Valentine.  These are currently being catalogued by Pam Cranston.  Thank you Pam for sending me your provisional list of Valentine books catalogued to date.  I have included these books in the table below.

National Library of Scotland

I have checked the National Library of Scotland catalogue and found a number of books, published by Valentine & Sons Ltd.

Most but not all of these include photographs by Valentine & Sons.  I have included these books in the table below.

St A = St Andrews University Library

NLS = National Library of Scotland.
(a. = year that the book was acquired by NLS)

The NLS catalogue also includes:

-  a number of books by James Valentine, published 1870 to 1900

- postcards and photographs by Valentine & Sons Ltd and by James Valentine.

Private Collections

Britain

Abn = Aberdeenshire
Buck = Buckinghamshire
Camb = Cambridgeshire
Ches = Cheshire
Der = Derbyshire
Dum = Dumfries
Ed = Edinburgh
E Sx = East Sussex
Gwe = Gwent
Harp = Harpenden, Hertfordshire
Lanc = Lancashire
N Yks = North Yorkshire
Lon = London,
LSA = Lytham St Annes
Not = Nottinghamshire
Ros = Ross-shire
Staf = Staffordshire
Sun = Sunderland
S Wal = South Wales
W Mid = West Midlands
Warr = Warrington
Wrex = Wrexham
Yeo = Yeovil
York = York

USA

IA = Iowa
IN = Indiana
KS = Kansas
KY = Kentucky
MD = Maryland
NJ = New Jersey
NV = Nevada
NY = New York
OH = Ohio
OR = Oregon,
PA = Pennsylvania
SC = South Carolina
TX = Texas
WI = Wisconsin
VA = Virginia

Other

Can = Canada

NZ = New Zealand

BC, Can = British Columbia, Canada
NB, Can = New Brunswick, Canada
NF, Can = Newfoundland, Canada
ON, Can = Ontario, Canada

NSW, Aus = New South Wales, Australia

SA, Aus = South Australia

Tas, Aus = Tasmania, Australia

Vic, Aus = Victoria, Australia

Edin. = Edinburgh

Books For Sale

I have included some books on the above list that I have found for sale e.g. on Amazon, eBay or AbeBooks.

Some of the prices for these books are in US$ or other currencies.  I have converted these to the equivalent sterling price.

 

Questions

These are some of the questions that
have been asked about Valentine Books

 

Question 1

Shakespeare

Thank you to Barbara Walkden, Toronto, Ontario, Canada for telling me about a book in Valentine's Rose LIbrary series, presented to her mother in 1924:

Selections from Shakespeare (268 pages, 16 illustrations).

This message from Barbara Walkden above is the first of many e-mails sent to me about books published by Valentine & Sons Ltd.   See the tables at the bottom of this page.

If you know of any more books published by Valentine, please e-mail me so that I can add the details to the tables below.

 

Question 2

If you have any knowledge of books published by Valentine, then you may be able to help answer this question below.

Mark Catley wrote:

"I have searched the Internet high and low to try and find out about a book I have called "To Fairy Dell" by Valentine and Sons of Dundee, but to very little success.

I have found out about a patent for the book but very little else. Ideally, I would love to find a list of books that Valentines wrote. 

This, I hope would put me a little nearer to hopefully finding out if the book has any value.

Can you help?"

Mark Catley:  February 9, 2006

If you can help answer the question above, please e-mail me.

Thank you.    - Peter Stubbs

  

Question 3

Maurean Jorgensen-Allan wrote:

Books Published by Valentine & Sons Ltd

"I am doing my family tree and the name JOHN ALLAN has come up.  His occupation states he retired as Editor in Chief of Valentines Publishers.  He was born in 1876 in Dundee. 

He wrote poetry and had some poems published and I would like to know the name of the book.  As he was a publisher, I would expect the the books to have been published by Valentine. 

Any information would be great.  He was also a water colour painter and I have two of those pictures."

Maurean Jorgensen-Allan, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia:  March 9, 2008

If you can help to answer the question above, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Maureen.

Thank you.  - Peter Stubbs:  March 9, 2008

Reply

Elaine Mason wrote:

"John Allan was my grandfather.  My mother, Margaret, is still alive, age 94.  She is an Allan by birth.

The water colour painter was in fact his son, John Allan Junior.  I have a large collection of his works."

Elaine Mason, Norwich, Norfolk:  April 25, 2008.

 

Other Items produced by Valentine

Valentine & Sons Ltd are also known to have produced sets of playing cards  -  and what else?

 Do you know when the company produced these?

 

Valentine & Sons Ltd

  

 

__________________