A complete set of Thomas the Tank Engine Ladybird books (15 bks)

The Railways Series book, otherwise known as Thomas the Tank Engine books, were turned into Ladybird books in the 1980s, as part of Ladybird’s quest to find new markets via franchising agreements with established popular brands and TV ventures.

There were 15 books in the set – most of them contained a simpliefied version of two of the classic Rev W Awdry tales – but illustrated with stills from the TV programme instead of the beautiful, original illustrations.  These books were made at a time when the company was always desperate to find cost-savings and the quality of the production was sacrificed.  Ladybird books of this era are particularly fragile – although the covers have a robust, wipe-clean finish, the glued binding is weak and pages easily come adrift when the book is opened wide.  Coupled with the heavy use that books designed with very young children in mind, it is perhaps not surprising that it’s quite hard to put together a set of these books still in decent, serviceable condition.  These cost just £1.00 each.

This set is sound and complete (although may not be the one pictured).  It is free of any significant scribbles and the binding is still adequate – with no major faults although obvious signs of use.