The Silver Arrow (Robin Hood), 1954 Series 549 (DJ)

The Silver Arrow, 1954,  Series 549. A Ladybird Robin Hood Adventure

There were only ever really two books in this series, although in the 1970s another 4 Robin Hood adventure books were added.  These later books were in a different format and with different style illustrations.  The illustrations in the original two books (The Silver Arrow and The Ambush) are super-evocative.  These were probably the first two books ever illustrated by John Kenney for Ladybird and the colours sing – and both were originally issued with dustwrappers.  The stories were retold by Max Kester.  A tip for collectors is not to fall into the trap of thinking you have found a book inscribed by the author.  All editions of these stories (and some othrers of the same era) contain a reproduced signature that looks very real.

This copy still has its original unclipped DJ.  It is in good condition only – a lot of rubbing and some loss to edges and corners and a scar foot of DJ. Inside, there’s some light foxing espeically to the page tips and a book plate to the front blue open-wing endpapers.  The reading pages are otherwise the pages are in very good condition.