Penguin First Editions :: Early First Edition Penguin Books

Q: What to do when a book does not fit neatly into a recognised category? A: Start a separate category for all the miscellaneous books. This was the problem that faced PENGUIN Books Ltd. Initially, they published the books that did not fit into the system of 'orange' for fiction, 'green' for crime, 'cerise' for travel and adventure and so on, in 'yellow' covers and called them MISCELLANEOUS. The first such book was number 116 On England, which were speeches by Stanley Baldwin, and was published in November 1937. These yellow covered books included puzzle books, crossword puzzles and other interest books. Penguin also developed 'Pelicans' for educational and non-fiction works, and 'Specials' for subjects of topical and political interest.

However, they still had the problem of what to do with books that didn't fit neatly into categories, or were perhaps different sizes or one-offs. These books were, at first retrospectively, given the pre-fix of 'Q', though curiously the first 13 books in this series did not bear a 'Q'.

If Penguin thought that it was going to start an Italian series Edizioni del Pinguino , it did not, and it's book L'Italia di Domani was given the first number 'Q1'. The majority of the 'Q' MISCELLANEOUS books were either song books or atlases. Many of the books did not bear the 'Q' serial number, and some did not even have the Penguin 'logo', so that recognising them as a Penguin Miscellaneous Book in the 'Q' series can be difficult.

Information and cover photographs of the Penguin MISCELLANEOUS series:

Number Q1	Series No.: Q1 Title: L'ITALIA DI DOMANI Author: 'Pentade' (a pseudonym for five anonymous contributors, four Italian and one English) Date Published: July 1942 Pages: 228pp. Printer: R. and R. Clark Ltd This is the only Italian Penguin Edizioni del Pinguino , which was originally published in English as a Penguin Special 'S97' on 24 October 1941. The 'Q1' version also reproduces Winston Churchill's radio broadcast to the Italian people of 23rd December 1940. No price is quoted (in either of the two currencies).
Number Q2	Series No.: Q2 Title: HEAVEN AND HELL (Heaven and its Wonders and Hell, from Things Heard and Seen) Author: (from the Latin of) Emanuel Swedenborg Date Published: 1938 Pages: 320pp. Printer: Purnell and Sons Ltd Price: 6d. This was the first Miscellaneous volume which was published. It was a special sixpenny (6d.) edition of the Swedish philosopher and theologian Swedenborg's best known work. It was issued to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of his birth and published for the Swedenborg Society.
Number Q3	Series No.: Q3 Title: CIVILIZATION Author: Geza Szobel Date Published: 23 October 1942 Pages: 48pp. Printer: Harrison and Sons Ltd Price: 2/- It contains 42 drawings (6 in colour) by the Czech artist Geza Szobel. The drawings depict life in concentration camps. It has a plain black cover and a page size of 6¾" x 8½" (17.7 x 21.8 cms). The book is now considered rare.
Number Q4	Series No.: Q4 Title: AN ATLAS OF POST-WAR PROBLEMS Author: J. F. Horrabin Illustrations: Text, maps and drawings in red and black ink Date Published: December 1943 Pages: 44pp. Printer: Fosh and Cross Ltd Price: 9d. This is very much in the genre of a Penguin Special, but of a larger size (22 x 17.7 cms), and was coloured orange and white.
Number Q5	Series No.: Q5 Title: AN ATLAS OF THE USSR Author: J. F. Horrabin and James S. Gregory Illustrations: Text, maps and drawings in red and black ink Date Published: December 1945 Pages: 64pp. Printer: Fosh and Cross Ltd Price: 1/- Like 'Q4', this book is also very much in the genre of a Penguin Special, but of a larger size. It was coloured reddish/orange and white.
Number Q6	Series No.: Q6 Title: BRITISH AIRCRAFT - VOLUME ONE Author: R. A. Saville-Sneath Date Published: June 1944 Pages: 224pp. Printer: Harrison and SonsLtd Price: 5/- This book, part of four volumes of an 'Aircraft Recognition series' Q6, Q7, Q8 and Q9, is hardbound, and measures 12.7 x 18.5 cms. It has a red cloth binding strip on which the title is printed in gold leaf. Each volume contains a large number of photographs and details on military and civil aircraft.
Number Q7	Series No.: Q7 Title: BRITISH AIRCRAFT - VOLUME TWO Author: R. A. Saville-Sneath Date Published: November 1944 Pages: 224pp. Printer: Harrison and Sons Ltd Price: 5/- This book, part of four volumes of an 'Aircraft Recognition series' Q6, Q7, Q8 and Q9, is hardbound, and measures 12.7 x 18.5 cms. It has a red cloth binding strip on which the title is printed in gold leaf. Each volume contains a large number of photographs and details on military and civil aircraft.
Number Q8	Series No.: Q8 Title: AIRCRAFT OF THE UNITED STATES - VOLUME ONE Author: R. A. Saville-Sneath Date Published: June 1945 Pages: 256pp. Printer: Harrison and Sons Ltd Price: 5/- This book, part of four volumes of an 'Aircraft Recognition series' Q6, Q7, Q8 and Q9, is hardbound, and measures 12.7 x 18.5 cms. It has a red cloth binding strip on which the title is printed in gold leaf. Each volume contains a large number of photographs and details on military and civil aircraft.
Number Q9	Series No.: Q9 Title: AIRCRAFT OF THE UNITED STATES - VOLUME TWO Author: R. A. Saville-Sneath Date Published: April 1947 (printed October 1946) Pages: 256pp. Printer: Harrison and Sons Ltd Price: 5/- This book, part of four volumes of an 'Aircraft Recognition series' Q6, Q7, Q8 and Q9, is hardbound, and measures 12.7 x 18.5 cms. It has a red cloth binding strip on which the title is printed in gold leaf. Each volume contains a large number of photographs and details on military and civil aircraft.
Number Q10	Series No.: Q10 Title: ALL IN LINE Author: Saul Steinberg Date Published: October 1945 Printer: Hunt, Barnard and Co Ltd Price: 12/6d. (hardback) This is a large book (31 x 23.5 cms), clothbound and contains over 200 line drawings by Saul Steinberg, an American Cartoonist. Many of the drawings were first published in the New Yorker.
Number Q11	Series No.: Q11 Title: THE FIRST EIGHTEEN MONTHS Author: The Bureau of Current Affairs Date Published: October 1947 Pages: 72pp. Printer: Fosh and Cross Ltd Price: 2/6d. An account of the first eighteen months of peace after the Second World War. It was in landcape format with a size of 17.7 x 24.5 cms.
Number Q12	Series No.: Q12 Title: HAMLET: SCENES FROM THE FILM Introduction: Presented by Laurence Olivier and published by Benjamin Pollock Illustrations: Designed and produced by Denes Studios Ltd Publisher: Benjamin Pollock Date Published: December 1948 Pages: 32pp. Printer: Chromoworks Ltd Price: 'half-a-crown' (2/6d.) A picture cut-out book for children, containing scenes from the Laurence Olivier version of the J. Arthur Rank's film dramatisation of Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet'.
Number: Q13	Series No.: Q13 Title: *THE TRANSFORMATION OF LUCIUS otherwise known as THE GOLDEN ASS (Edition de Luxe)* Author: Lucius Apuleius Translation: by Robert Graves Design: typography and binding by Jan Tschichold Date Published: December 1951 [Title page states 1950] Pages: 302pp. + endpapers Printer: Silk and Terry Ltd Paper: Blue-White Wove paper by Wiggins, Teape and Co Ltd Binding: by James Burn and Co Price: 30/- Signed Edition: Copy No. 344 of 2,000 This book was produced in a limited edition of 2,000 numbered copies, each one being signed by Robert Graves. This was Penguin Book's only foray into limited editions. However, it was a rather special version of the book previously issued in the Classics series as 'L11' in April 1950. This was no ordinary Penguin book - it was printed on specially made paper and bound in quarter parchment vellum and had marbled boards. The book was also supplied with a dust-jacket and came in a slipcase. Images shown of Cover, Title Page, and Signed Edition by Translater
Number Q14	Series No.: Q14 Title: THE PENGUIN SONG BOOK Author: Leslie Woodgate Date Published: November 1951 Pages: 192pp. Printer: Lowe and Brydone Printers Ltd Price: 4/6d. ** This book was the first of the Miscellaneous 'Q' series to print the 'Q' pre-fix on the cover. 'Q14' was printed at the bottom of the spine. This book is 13 x 19.5 cms in size.
Number Q15	Series No.: Q15 Title: THE PENGUIN PART SONG BOOK Author: Leslie Woodgate Decorations: by David Gentleman Date Published: November 1955 Pages: 144pp. Printer: Lowe and Brydone Printers Ltd Price: 4/6d. This book is 19.5 x 13 cms in size.
Number Q16	Series No.: Q16 Title: THE PENGUIN ATLAS OF THE WORLD Edited: by John S. Keats Date Published: May 1956 Pages: 128pp. (76pp. text + 80pp. colour maps) Printer: Richard Clay and Co Ltd; maps produced and printed by Generalstabens Litugrafiska Austalt (Sweden) Price: 10/- (12/6d. hardback) This book is 20.2 x 14.3 cms in size. It contained 80 maps in colour and an index of 15,000 entries.
Number Q17	Series No.: Q17 Title: WILD FLOWERS IN COLOUR Author: John Hutchinson Illustrations: colour drawings by Edgar Hahnewald Cover illustration: by Edgar Hahnewald Date Published: April 1958 Pages: 128pp. text + 128pp. colour plates Printer: Hunt, Barnard and Co Ltd; colour plates by Balding and Mansell Ltd Price: 17/6d. Containing 128 colour plates with over 500 illustrations.
Number Q18	Series No.: Q18 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF ENGLISH FOLK SONGS (from the Journal of the Folk Song Society and the Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society) Edited: and selected by Ralph Vaughan Williams and A. L. Lloyd Cover design: Juliet Renny Date Published: November 1959 Pages: 128pp. Printer: Lowe and Brydone (Printers) Ltd Price: 3/6d.
Number: Q19	Series No.: Q19 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF AMERICAN FOLK SONGS Edited: with notes by Alan Lomax Piano Arrangement: by Elizabeth Poston Cover design: by Milton Glaser Date Published: November 1964 Pages: 272pp. Printer: Lowe and Brydone Printers Ltd Price: 10/6d. Containing over 100 songs Cover of 1966 reprint also shown - with change to larger format
Number Q20	Series No.: Q20 Title: BIRDS IN COLOUR Authors: Bruce Campbell and Karl Aage Tinggaard Cover Design: by Paxton Chadwick Date Published: April 1960 Pages: 104pp. text + 128pp. Printer: Ysel Press Ltd Price: 21/- hardbound Containing illustrations of 256 birds
Number Q21	Series No.: Q21 Title: THE PENGUIN STORY (MCMXXXV - MCMLVI) Author: Sir William Emrys Williams Illustrations: photographs by Guy Gravett; diagrams by Erwin Fabian Date Published: June 1956 Printer: Hunt, Barnard and Co Ltd; photographic collogravure by Harrison and Sons Ltd; line illustrations by John Swain and Son Ltd Pages: 128pp. + 24pp. Price: 1/- This book was produced to mark the 21st birthday of Penguin Books in July 1956. (Hence the number 'Q21' was selected 5 years ahead of its contemporaries.) It was designed by the Penguin typographer, Hans Schmoller. The book includes 'A Complete Catalogue of the Publications of Penguin Books' published between 1935 and 1956.
Number Q22	Series No.: Q22 Title: THE PENGUIN ATLAS OF MEDIEVAL HISTORY (From AD 362 to 1478) Author: Colin McEvedy Illustrations: maps designed by Colin McEvedy and lettered by John Woodcock Date Published: September 1961 Pages: 96pp. Printer: Jesse Broad and Co Ltd Price: 7/6d. (10/6d. hardback) This book is 18 x 22 cms in size.
Number Q23	Series No.: Q23 Title: ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES Author: Michael W. Ovenden Illustrations: drawings by Kenneth James; designed by Jane Mackay Cover design: by John Griffiths Date Published: April 1961 Pages: 128pp. Printer: Hazell, Watson and Viney Ltd Price: 5/- This book is 19.5 x 13 cms in size.
Number Q24	Series No.: Q24 Title: MEDICINE TODAY Author: David Margerson Illustrations: drawings by Sylvia Treadgold and Linnet Goode; designed by Jane Mackay Cover design: by John Griffiths Date Published: November 1961 Pages: 112pp. Printer: Unwin Brothers Ltd Price: 5/-
Number Q25	Series No.: Q25 Title: PENGUINS PROGRESS 1935 - 1960 Published on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of Penguin Books Foreword: Sir Allen Lane Introduction: Desmond Flower Cover design: 'Twentyfive Years' by Hans Schmoller using a device by Elizabeth Friedlander Illustrations: by David Gentleman, John Griffiths, Feliks Topolski and Theodore Ramos; and photographs by Sam Lambert, Lotte Meitner-Graf and Athol Shmith Date Published: September 1960 Pages: 90pp. Printer: The Curwen Press; bound by Cox and Wyman Ltd Price: 2/6d. This book was produced to celebrate Penguin Book's 25th birthday. It was designed by the Penguin typographer Hans Schmoller. It provided an outline of the history of Penguin Books Ltd and the biographies of some of the key people in Penguin. Book size 19.5 x 13 cms.
Number Q26	Series No.: Q26 Title: FASHION Author: Madge Garland Cover design: by John Griffiths using a photograph by Michael Williams of a dress by Bazaar for the Women's Page of the Sunday Times Date Published: April 1962 Pages: 160pp. Printer: Jarrold and Sons Ltd Price: 6/-
Number: Q27	Series No.: Q27 Title: *AN OUTLINE OF EUROPEAN ARCHITECTURE (Jubilee Edition)* Author: Nikolaus Pevsner Illustrations: contains 609 photographic plates within text, and sketches Jacketdesign: Eugene O. Sporer, Munich Frontispiece: Athens Acropolis, photograph by E.-M. Czako, Athens Date Published: October 1960 (sixth 'Jubilee Edition') Price: 6 guineas (£6-6s-0d.) Pages: 740pp. Printer: made and printed in Germany A special jubilee de-luxe edition on European Architecture which was first issued as a Pelican 'A109' in March 1943. Pevsner's more usual series on Buildings of England had commenced in July 1951 and by August 1960 had published 19 volumes in that series. Another commemorative book as part of Penguin's 25th birthday celebrations.
Number Q28	Series No.: Q28 THIS NUMBER (No. Q28) WAS NOT USED. This was intended to be Archaeology by Liam de Paor, but was later published as Pelican A859.
Number: Q29 Paperback Hardback Hardback DustJacket	Series No.: Q29 Title: ANDROCLES AND THE LION An Old Fable Renovated by Bernard Shaw (The Shaw Alphabet Edition of) Author: Bernard Shaw Cover design: by Germano Facetti Date Published: November 1962 Pages: 152pp. Printer: Stephen Austin and Sons Ltd Price: 3/6d. paperback, (Hardcopy provided free) This work previously appeared in the Penguin main series No. 566, published on 24 July 1946 to commemorate his 90th birthday, but simply using the standard English alphabet. Bernard Shaw died on 2nd November 1950. His Will contained provisions for a new 'Proposed British Alphabet'. He imposed on his trustee the duty of seeking and publishing a more efficient alphabet of at least forty letters, and to "transliterate my play entitled 'Androcles and the Lion' into the proposed British Alphabet ... and to present copies to public libraries" In addition to the printing of the standard paperback, this book was, therfore, also published in a 'presentation' Hardback copy, which was provided free of charge, under Bernard Shaw's Will (see text of fourth image which was printed opposite the title page) and was given to Libraries. The 1962 edition has a parrallel text in the 'Proposed British Alphabet' which Shaw hoped would replace the existing Roman alphabet (see fifth image). A key is provided at the back of the book (see last image), and was also produced on a card which was to be found between pages 16 and 17.
Number Q30	Series No.: Q30 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS Edited: by Elizabeth Poston Cover illustration: detail of a fourteenth century wood carving in Exeter Cathedral Date Published: September 1965 Pages: 144pp. Printer: Lowe and Brydone Printers Ltd Price: 6/-
Number Q31	Series No.: Q31 Title: NOTHING PERSONAL Authors: Richard Avedon (photography) and James Baldwin (text) Book designed: by Marvin Israel Editorial assistance: by Marguerite Lamkin and David Baldwin Illustrations: 53 black-and-white photographic plates, mostly portraits and some groups, covering one or two pages or as collage Text: 4 chapters over 17 pages Date Published: November 1964 Pages: 84pp. + 2 flaps and endpapers Printer: C. J. Bucher Ltd (Lucerne, Switzerland) Photographic plates: made by Earl Steinbicker Engravings: supervised by Emil Bührer Price: 5 guineas (£5-5s-0d.) or 4 guineas until 31 December 1964 Size: 367mm x 276mm; slipcase 379mm x 280mm x 21mm. This is a scarce, coffee-table style book with striking black and white photographs. Deploying both image and text, Avedon and Baldwin examine the formation of identity, and the bonds that both underlie and undermine human connection. Avedon's subjects range from civil rights icons, to intellectuals, politicians, pop singers, patients in a mental institution, and ordinary Americans, all carefully juxtaposed, cropped, and tightly sequenced. Here, the American Nazi Party contends with poet Allen Ginsberg, and a weary General Eisenhower gives way to the sway of Malcolm X. Depleted mental institution patients call out for human warmth, and are followed by the embrace of mother and child. Baldwin's four-part essay offers a critique of a society that is disconnected, unjust and divisive, and therefore in the midst of an existential crisis. In a highly personal and pertinent testimony, he writes about his own experience of harassment by a racist police officer in his native New York City. Yet Baldwin, like Avedon, ends his work with the inescapable need for - and power of - love. [so.edited/so.creative] Images of front and rear covers (glossy white paper covered board with metalic inset and black lettering); Generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution; President Eisenhower; American Nazis and Alan Ginsberg; Dorothy Parker and Marilyn Monroe; inmates of mental institution; non-violent students committee; book in slipcase.
Number Q32	Series No.: Q32 Title: THE PENGUIN ATLAS OF ANCIENT HISTORY Author: Colin McEvedy Date Published: May 1967 Pages: 96pp. Printer: Jesse Broad and Co Ltd Price: 15/-
Number Q33	Series No.: Q33 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF ENGLISH MADRIGALS (For Four Voices) Edited: by Denis Stevens Cover illustration: detail from 'The Nativity' by Piero della Francesco Date Published: May 1967 Pages: 160pp. Printer: Halstan and Co Ltd Price: 8/6d. Book size 18 x 22 cms.
Number Q34	Series No.: Q34 Title: THE PENGUIN ATLAS OF RECENT HISTORY Author: Colin McEvedy Date Published: 1982 Pages: 96pp. Printer: Butler and Tanner Ltd Price: £3.50p
Number Q35	Series No.: Q35 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF ROUNDS Edited: by Rosemary Cass-Beggs Cover illustration: shows detail from 'Chanteurs Patriotes' by Doncre (Musée Carnvalet, Paris) Date Published: 1982 Pages: 128pp. Printer: Hazell, Watson and Viney Ltd Price: £2.50p Book size 19.5 x 13 cms.
Number: Q36	Series No.: Q36 Title: REFUGEES 1960 - A Report in Words and Drawings Authors: Kaye Webb and Ronald Searle Date Published: April 1960 Pages: 48pp. Printer: Hazell, Watson and Viney Ltd Price: £2/6 Book size 22 x 18 cms. This book was described as "a moving report in words and drawings" from refugee camps. The book has a black paper band around it with the statement: "All proceeds from the sale of this moving document will go to World Refugee Year" (see second image)
Number Q37	Series No.: Q37 Title: THE SECOND PENGUIN BOOK OF ENGLISH MADRIGALS (For Five Voices) Edited: by Denis Stevens Cover illustration: shows detail from 'The Concert' by Lorenzo Costa Date Published: 1970 Pages: 160pp. Printer: Halstan and Co Ltd Price: 10/- 50p Book size 18 x 22 cms.
Number Q38	Series No.: Q38 Title: THE SECOND PENGUIN BOOK OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS Edited: by Elizabeth Poston Date Published: October 1970 Pages: 160pp. Printer: Richard Clay Ltd Price: 2/- 40p
Number Q39	Series No.: Q39 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF ACCOMPANIED SONGS Edited: by Marion Harewood and Ronald Duncan Cover illustration: detail from 'As the Young Fiddles the Old Sing' by Jacob Jordaens Date published: 1972 Pages: 256pp. Printer: Hazell, Watson and Viney Ltd Price: 75p
Number Q40	Series No.: Q40 Title: THE PUFFIN READERS DIARY, 1968 Edited: by Kaye Webb Date Published: November 1967 Price: 6/6d.
Number Q41	Series No.: Q41 Title: THE PENGUIN ATLAS OF MODERN HISTORY (1483 - 1815) Author: Colin McEvedy Date Published: 1972 Pages: 966pp. Printer: Hazell, Watson and Viney Ltd Price: 75p Book size 18 x 22 cms.
Number Q42	Series No.: Q42 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF CANADIAN FOLK SONGS Selected and edited: by Edith Fowke Music consultant: Keith MacMillan Cover illustration: shows a detail from 'Beach at Savary Island, British Columbia' by E. J. Hughes (National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa) Date Published: 1973 Pages: 224pp. Printer: Lowe and Brydone (Printers) Ltd Price: 75p
Number Q43	Series No.: Q43 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF ITALIAN MADRIGALS for four voices Edited: by Jerome Roche Cover illustration: shows detail from 'The Madrigalists Table' by Alfonso Loschi (Palazzo Pitti, Florence) Date Published: 1974 Pages: 176pp. Printer: Fletcher and Son Ltd Price: £1-00p
Number Q44	Series No.: Q44 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF LIEDER Edited and translated: from German by S. S. Prawer Cover illustration: shows a detail from 'Spring Evening' by Ludwig Richter (Dusseldorf) Date Published: 1964 Price: 7/6d. Image of 1977 reprint (208pp. Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, £1-00p)
Number Q45	Series No.: Q45 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF BRITISH FOLK SONGS Edited: by Elizabeth Poston
Number Q46	Series No.: Q46 Title: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF EARLY MUSIC Compiled: edited and annotated by Anthony Rooley Cover: shows 'detail from'The Concert' by Nicholas Tournier, Louvre, Paris (photo Giraudon) Date Published: 1980 Pages: 160pp. Printer: Fletcher and Son Ltd Price: £4-95p The scond image shows the back cover
Number Q47	Series No.: Q47 THIS NUMBER (No. Q47) WAS NOT USED.
Number Q48	Series No.: Q48 Title: THE ANNOTATED GILBERT AND SULLIVAN (Volume 1) Edited: by Ian Bradley Date Published: December 1982
Number Q49	Series No.: Q49 Title: THE ANNOTATED GILBERT AND SULLIVAN (Volume 2) Edited: by Ian Bradley Date Published: 1985
Number Q60	Title: PENGUIN PORTRAIT: ALLEN LANE AND THE PENGUIN EDITORS 1935 - 1970 Edited: by Steve Hare Date Published: 6 July 1995 Publisher: Penguin Pages: 384pp. Printer: Clays Ltd Price: £12.00 This book, numbered 'Q60', was produced by Penguin as part of Penguin's 60th Anniversary.
Number: Q100	Series No.: Q100 Title: COMPLETE CATALOGUE OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF PENGUIN BOOKS Date Published: October 1966 This 'publication' was issued in the format of a orange coloured loose-leaf ring binder which was supplied to the trade. From time to time Penguin would up-date booksellers with additional sheets. There was also a 1970 edition. Images shown of orange coloured plastic ringbinder cover; the front or title page (also on orange coloured paper); the Contents page; and the page giving the 'Index of Key Letters'

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