why i like the girl detective
I was first introduced to Nancy Drew in the 1970s by my mother. I had already read Trixie Belden, the Bobsy Twins and other girl mysteries and was drawn, understandably, to the genre as a whole. I found Nancy Drew to be a step up in my approach to womanhood. She wasn't afraid. She surrounded herself with reliable, smart friends, she was independent, she didn't take crap from people, but maintained a lady-like demeanor. She was an early role model.
Importantly, she fuled a love of reading that would last the rest of my life. I couldn't wait to get home and read what happened next.
And I'll admit I was totally addicted to the television series (starring Pamela Sue Martin who went on to Dynasty fame I believe). I especially loved it when Nancy had to team up with those hunky Hardy Boys played by Parker Stevenson and Shawn Cassidy (sigh). However, I was not a Hardy Boys reader (just an admirer).
why i collect
I'm a librarian and have a special affinity for books - both for their intellectual/entertainment value and their artifactual value (the physical book). I began to collect Nancy Drew editions in the late 1980s and continue to pursue it. I'm consistently amazed at the number of editions that were produced over the years: different covers, different endpapers, different illustrations. There are various book club editions, publisher spines, and other variations sold through book stores. I'm striving to first collect all of the first editions printed in the 1930s, then I'll move on to those printed early on with dust jackets. It's going to take me a while...
examples of the loveliness
Eventually, there were 54 stories in all. Not all editions covered all 54 stories. Here are some examples of the variety of illustrative materials.
The Secret of the Old Clock (#1)
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Cover (first edition, no dustjacket, Grosset & Dunlap, 1930)
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Title page illustration (first edition, Grosset & Dunlap, 1930) |
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Cover (Grosset & Dunlap, 1959)
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Title page illustration (Grosset & Dunlap, 1959) |
The Hidden Staircase (#2)
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Cover (no dustjacket, Grosset & Dunlap, 1930 [1953?])
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Title page illustration (Grosset & Dunlap, 1930) |
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| Cover (no dustjacket, Grosset & Dunlap, 1959) |
Title page illustration (Grosset & Dunlap, 1959) |
The Bungalow Mystery (#3)
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Cover (first edition, no dustjacket, Grosset & Dunlap, 1930)
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Title page illustration (Grosset & Dunlap, 1930) |
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Cover (Grosset & Dunlap, 1960)
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Cover (Grosset & Dunlap, also 1960) |
| This title page illustration at left was used in both 1960 editions featured above as well as in the double edition, also published in 1960. |
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Title page illustration (Grosset & Dunlap, 1960) |
The Secret of Shadow Ranch (#5)
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Cover (Grosset & Dunlap, 1931 [1960?])
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Title page illustration (Grosset & Dunlap, 1931 [1960?]) |
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| Cover (Grosset & Dunlap, 1965) |
Title page illustration (Grosset & Dunlap, 1965) |
The Clue of the Velvet Mask (#30)
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Dustjacket (Grosset & Dunlap, 1953)
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Title page illustration (Grosset & Dunlap, 1953) |
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| Cover (double edition, Grosset & Dunlap, 1959) |
Title page illustration (double edition, Grosset & Dunlap, 1959) |
Endpapers
1930 (first edition)
1930
1953, 1959
1959, 1960, 1968
1987
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