Full Set Of The Paddington Bear Books With A Paddington Card Signed By Michael Bond

Author: Michael Bond
Illustrator: Peggy Fortnum
Price: £1250
Publisher: Collins, London, UK
Edition: Various
Publication Date: 1966-1979
Format: Original cloth gilt with dustwrappers and signed card
Condition: Near fine in near fine dustwrappers overall
Size: 14.5cm x 20.5cm

Condition:

The main ‘Paddington’ series titles. Eleven volumes. Complete. Published by Collins, London, UK. Date: 1968, 1966, 1968, 1968, 1968, 1968, 1968, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1979. All reprint editions apart from books 8, 9, 10 and 11 which are first editions. Sizes: 14.5cm x 20.7cm. pp. 128, 128, 128, 126, 128, 128, 128, 126, 127, 125, 126. Original cloth, dustwrappers. Book 1: Early reprint. A fine, tight, clean copy in very good plus, slightly nicked and rubbed, unfaded dustwrapper. Book 2: Early reprint. A fine, tight, clean copy in near fine, very slightly faded and rubbed dustwrapper. Book 3: Early reprint. Near fine in very near fine, slightly nicked and rubbed, bright, clean dustwrapper. Book 4: Early reprint. Fine in fine, slightly creased and rubbed dustwrapper which has none of the usual fading to the spine. Book 5: Early reprint. Fine in very good plus, slightly creased and rubbed dustwrapper which has a couple of marks to the rear panel but none of the usual fading to the spine. Book 6: Early reprint. Fine in near fine, bright and clean dustwrapper which has a small ‘splash’ mark to the rear panel. Book 7: Early reprint. Fine in fine, bright, clean dustwrapper. Book 8: First edition. Minor mark to the fore-edge and front free endpaper else a very good plus, tight, clean copy in very good slightly creased, nicked and rubbed dustwrapper. Book 9: First edition. First edition. Minor mark to the fore-edge and front free endpaper else a very good plus, tight, clean copy in very good slightly creased, nicked and rubbed dustwrapper. Book 10: First edition. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Book 11: First edition. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Signed card is printed ‘WITH ALL GOOD WISHES PAD(D)INGTON’ WITH A PAW PRINT AND SIGNED ‘Michael Bond’ IN BIRO. It is in fine condition. There are no ink names or inscriptions in any of the books. This is a lovely set with four of the titles being first editions. Very scarce in this uniform condition.

The Stories:

The Paddington Bear series by Michael Bond is a beloved collection of children’s books that follow the adventures of a polite and well-meaning bear from Darkest Peru, who is found at Paddington Station in London and adopted by the Brown family. Below is a list of the main series Paddington Bear books written by Michael Bond:

Main Paddington Bear Books:

1. A Bear Called Paddington (1958)
   • The first book in the series, introducing Paddington and his initial adventures with the Brown family.
2. More About Paddington (1959)
   • Paddington settles into his new home, but his attempts at everyday tasks continue to lead to humorous mishaps.
3. Paddington Helps Out (1960)
   • Paddington tries to be helpful but finds himself in more trouble than he intended.
4. Paddington Abroad (1961)
   • Paddington embarks on his first trip abroad with the Brown family, leading to new cultural misunderstandings.
5. Paddington at Large (1962)
   • More of Paddington’s adventures, including some of his memorable encounters in London.
6. Paddington Marches On (1964)
   • Paddington explores more of London, getting involved in new mischief and learning new things.
7. Paddington at Work (1966)
   • Paddington tries his hand at various jobs with predictably chaotic results.
8. Paddington Goes to Town (1968)
   • Paddington has more adventures in the city, encountering new situations that both amuse and bewilder him.
9. Paddington Takes the Air (1970)
   • Paddington finds himself in unusual predicaments, from attending a lecture to getting involved in photography.
10. Paddington on Top (1974)
    • Paddington’s latest escapades include becoming involved in DIY projects and causing more charming mishaps.
11. Paddington Takes the Test (1979)
    • Paddington faces new challenges, including taking tests and coping with the results of his latest exploits.

Legacy:

The Paddington Bear books have been translated into multiple languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. They have also been adapted into several television series, theatrical productions, and feature films, with the live-action films Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017) receiving widespread acclaim.

Michael Bond’s Paddington books remain timeless for their humour, heart-warming stories, and the unforgettable character of Paddington Bear, whose politeness and good intentions charm readers of all ages.

Michael Bond: A Short Biography

Michael Bond was a British author best known for creating Paddington Bear, one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature. His career as a writer spanned over six decades, during which he wrote numerous Paddington books, as well as other works for children and adults.

Early Life and Career:

• Born: January 13, 1926, in Newbury, Berkshire, England.
• Bond grew up in Reading, Berkshire, where his love for storytelling began. He was an avid reader and had an early fascination with writing, though he initially pursued other careers.
• During World War II, Bond served in the Royal Air Force and later worked as a camera operator for the BBC.

Creation of Paddington Bear:

• The idea for Paddington Bear came to Michael Bond in 1956, when he saw a lonely teddy bear sitting on a shelf in a London shop near Paddington Station. Bond bought the bear as a gift for his wife and was inspired to create a character around it.
• Bond wrote the first book, A Bear Called Paddington, in just ten days. It was published in 1958, introducing the world to the small bear from Darkest Peru who arrives at Paddington Station with a note that reads, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”
• The Paddington books were an immediate success, with readers falling in love with the bear’s politeness, curiosity, and well-meaning mishaps. Bond’s witty, warm writing style and the gentle humour of Paddington’s adventures made the series timeless.

Paddington Bear’s Impact:

• The Paddington Bear series has been translated into over 40 languages and has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide.
• Bond wrote more than 20 books about Paddington, including sequels such as More About Paddington, Paddington Helps Out, and Paddington at Large.
• Paddington became a British cultural icon, and the stories were adapted into multiple TV series, stage productions, and two highly successful live-action films, Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017), with Ben Whishaw providing the voice of Paddington.

Other Works:

• While Paddington Bear was his most famous creation, Michael Bond also wrote other children’s books. His series about Olga da Polga, a guinea pig with a lively imagination, was another favourite.
• Bond also wrote for adult audiences, including a series of detective novels featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse, a retired French detective and food critic who solves culinary-related mysteries with his loyal bloodhound, Pommes Frites.

Personal Life:

• Bond lived much of his life in London, close to Paddington Station, which played such a crucial role in inspiring his most famous creation.
• Despite his success as a writer, Bond remained modest and down-to-earth. He often expressed that he wrote Paddington stories because they made him happy, and he was always delighted by the bear’s popularity with readers of all ages.

Awards and Honours:

• In recognition of his contribution to children’s literature, Michael Bond was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1997 and later a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015.
• Paddington Bear’s influence has extended far beyond literature. In 2000, a statue of Paddington was unveiled at Paddington Station, and the character remains a beloved figure in British culture.

Death and Legacy:

• Michael Bond passed away on June 27, 2017, at the age of 91. His legacy endures through the enduring popularity of Paddington Bear, who continues to delight new generations of readers and viewers.
• Bond’s ability to create a character who embodied kindness, curiosity, and good manners made Paddington a universally beloved figure, one that resonated with readers across cultures and ages.

Bond’s warm, humorous stories have left a lasting impact, and his creation of Paddington Bear has cemented him as one of the great figures in 20th-century children’s literature.

Why buy from us?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our book collection is meticulously curated to ensure that each edition is a valuable and authentic piece of bibliographical history. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Every book is researched, collated, and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: Each book is selected with a keen eye for significance, condition, and rarity, ensuring a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to make a return, books may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. We request advance notification of returns, and books must be returned in the same condition as sent for a full refund.

Explore Our Collection:

Visit Hornseys to explore our fine collection of rare and signed books. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, our Ripon gallery has been a haven for book lovers, art enthusiasts, and collectors since 1976.

Thank you for looking.