RUPERT ANNUAL 1946
Published by the Daily Express the year after World War 2 ended, paper was still in short supply so War Economy Standard was still in use and the annual was produced with soft covers.
If you are a Rupert fan you may be aware that most of the Rupert annuals from the very first one (1936) to the 1970 edition have been reproduced in facsimile editions. However, a few of them haven't due to politcally incorrect content and this is one of them. In fact, it is the first of those not to be reproduced. It has now become very scarce as Rupert collectors want to collect the full set and without a facsimile of this edition they have to buy the 'real thing'.
The Rupert stories contained in this annual are (all written and illustrated by Alfred Bestall):
Rupert on Coon Island – written and illustrated for this annual
Rupert and Rastus
Rupert and the Blue Mountain
Rupert and the Prince of China – written and illustrated for this annual
Rupert, Beppo and the Duck
Rupert and Podgy
Rupert and the Rocket Plane – written and illustrated for this annual
Rupert and Bingo
Rupert and the Magic Dart
Maybe as a child you received a Rupert Annual each year for your birthday or Christmas? Perhaps you remember this particular annual cover or do you remember any of these stories? What about the origami? Origami was introduced to the Rupert annuals for the first time in this annual and quickly became a regular feature. It was “How to Make a Paper Bird” and was linked with the Magic Dart story. Personally I have never tried origami but I imagine that if you have the patience (which I don't) it must be a lot of fun!
My husband loves Rupert books. Although he never received them himself each year he remembers going to his Uncle's house and devouring the stories in the annuals at each visit. We both had the privilege of attending the AGM meetings of the Followers of Rupert (as sellers) for many years and have learnt a lot about Rupert and his various illustrators / authors from those meetings!
For information, the other annuals not produced in Facsimile format are those for 1947, 1954, 1956, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1968 and 1969.
You can browse all current stock of Rupert annuals via the following link:
Rupert Annuals (Facsimiles and Originals)
Contributed by Maria
(Published 4th Oct 2018)
