Robert Louis Stevenson, 1975

Robert Louis Stevenson was the first of a small group (which includes Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell and Shakespeare) to be given a book within series 561 History.  RLS was perhaps not the most obvious choice – but it suggests, I think, that Ladybird was trying to edge away from the vision of history as seen in the books from the 50s and 60s as all about kings, male leaders and explorers.  It was written by Barbara Brill and illustrated by Roger Hall.  The collaboration of Kenney and Peach had been ended by the ill-health of both – and although the History series continued for years after this point, they never found the same perfect pairing again.  This book is one of the hardest-to-find of all matt Ladybird books.

This copy:

Matt boards.  It is in good condition externally – as the picture shows, there is clear insect damage to the spine and edges – but this is little more than colour flaking and very superficial.  Inside it is in excellent shape with lovely clean, tight pages.  This is the rare first edition with the full-page illustration – although you can also find this book with the later blue-framed cover style.