#1-56
#1-175
#1-34 original text only, any format
#1-34 original and revised text
#1-38 blue books with or without dust jacket
#1-34 original text only and Applewood #1-21
#1-34 original text only with original dust jacket art
I was unaware at that time that a growing number of Nancy Drew collectors consider #1-64 to be the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. Wait, what? Ah, these people are going by format.
Nancy Drew #57-64 were briefly issued in the flashlight edition by Penguin under the Grosset and Dunlap imprint. In this format, #57-64 match #1-56, so quite a few collectors now think that the Nancy Drew series ended with #64. This is not true at all. The Nancy Drew series actually ended with #175. All of Nancy Drew #57-175 were published by Simon and Schuster in softcover.
Apparently the flashlight edition hardcover gave legitimacy to #57-64, so people now collect those as eagerly as #1-56. I understand the reluctance of collecting a softcover book; I once felt that way. However, collectors who refuse to go past #64 based solely on format are missing out on some really good stories. If you enjoy Nancy Drew #57-64, then you are making a mistake in ignoring Nancy Drew #65-175. If you are not sure whether you want to take the plunge and collect all of them, I suggest purchasing a small sample of the books to see if you like them. Don't ignore them just because they are softcover books.
Furthermore, do not use a format that ended at an arbitrary number to decide where to leave off in your set. You might be aware that the Stratemeyer Syndicate created all of Nancy Drew #1-56. The Stratemeyer Syndicate was responsible for #57-64 as well, but it was also responsible for #65-78. If you want all books created by the Stratemeyer Syndicate, then you need to collect up through #78.
In "My Thoughts on Nancy Drew #57-175," I list what I think are the very best titles in the softcover Nancy Drew series.
In "An Overview of Nancy Drew #57-175," I assign ratings to each of the books in the set.
1 comment:
I am so happy to have come across your blog! I have been a big Nancy Drew fan since I was 8, and am now 37. Completed the Nancy Drew Original Mystery Stories Volumes 1-56 (the Flashlight Edition, as those were the only ones in bookstores here in the Philippines), and have acquired most of the paperbacks from second hand stores.
Lately I have been buying the 25 chapter books (am not particular about the format, I just want to read the books as originally written) from sellers online. Before, I would get them from abroad but luckily some local sellers are now selling here as well.
Also recently I have been reading The Three Investigators and Penny Parker books online, so stumbling upon your blog gives me a sense of belonging, as I thought I was alone in looking for serial books from the past.
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