Feature article from Stella and Rose's Books

Collecting Warne's 'Observer' books

Observer’s Books

There can be very few people in the UK who at some time in their life, probably in childhood, have not possessed a copy of one of the Observer’s books. Although the series was rooted in natural history it expanded to embrace everything from Cars to Opera.

Why has this series of books been so successful? The ethos of the series is best captured in an extract from the flyleaf of the original editions:

popular price
suitable for carrying in the pocket
accurate pictures

Although the series is seen as for Children and has been popular with Children it would be better described as for Beginners as the authors are pre eminent in their fields, for example Patrick Moore for Astronomy.

So perhaps the three tenets (price, pocket, pictures) have through the years been the bedrock on which the success has been built.

For most collectors the period 1937 to 1982 covers the real Observer’s series as after this period with Warne in financial difficulties and trying the New Observer’s and ultimately being bought by Penguin who relaunched the Observers the Golden years of Observer’s were over.

So to the series itself from Number 1 British Birds published in June 1937 to Number 98 Opera published in 1982 but just to be confusing there are actually only 97 titles number 86 Country Houses was never published.

The series started with Natural History subjects with Warne reusing pictures and text mainly from the earlier Wayside and Woodland series. The first non-nature book and the first not based on other material was Airplanes published in 1942 though not given a number (11) until later in 1949 when it was re-published as Aircraft.

Subjects like Aircraft and Cars have been regularly revised throughout the life of the series. Following on the start in Natural History other spotters subjects were introduced such as Railways and Cars but also subjects like Architecture, Music and Painting which were aimed squarely at an adult audience.

From a general collector’s point of view most titles remain readily available. Many titles can be purchased for just a few pounds. However the first editions of the early editions in dustwrappers in reasonable condition are rare as is Airplanes from 1942 and the later titles from about number 79 Caterpillars onwards are scarce as a result of the small print runs.

A note to the dedicated collector - try collecting every edition of Automobiles or Aircraft….