Ali Baba and the forty thieves, 1975, Series 740

Ali Baba and the forty thieves, 1975, Series 740, retold by Marie Stuart.  This book was part of a series that was published in the years of transition between ‘Wills & Hepworth’ and the Ladybird brand of the Penguin group.  Aspects of it reflect the new look and new broom that was sweeping through the company – the white background to the cover picture, the loss of the traditional ‘text on left, picture on right’ format and the lightness of cartoony style of the artwork.  However, what anchors it to the classic vintage Ladybird books of the golden years is the sheer quality of artist Robert Ayton’s illustrations.

This copy is in good condition inside and out but for a ring mark on the back cover.  The pages are in nice, clean condition but for a rather charming inscription to Stephen (where is he now?).  It is probably a first edition as it has a late tally number and a price of 18p on the back.