Ladybird Books  


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Ladybird Books have given much pleasure to many millions of children and adults alike, and now these delightful little books are collected by many people both for their nostalgia and for their educational value. 

Collecting House has a large number in stock from all series and from all years and these are constantly changing. Updating photographs of every book that comes in is too time consuming. Clues as to the age (e.g. price) are given and a brief description of condition. If further info is required or a scan please email us with your requirements (click on contact above)  

 

Notes For Collectors

Collectors  discovering the joys of Ladybird Books for the first time may find identifying the age and issue of a book a little difficult. Many dealers simply quote the date shown inside the book cover or on the title page, which can mislead the unwary. There are clues that may help. 

Tally Number: In the 60’s and 70’s the books often had printed on the rear cover or inside the dust wrapper the number of titles available from Ladybird. This is the ‘Tally Number’. Obviously the lower the number , the earlier the book. As a guide, with no guarantee as to the accuracy, we give below the numbers put on for the earlier years

Tally  No Year Tally  No Year Tally  No Year Tally  No Year
100 1963 160 1966 210 1968 280 1970
135 1965 170 1966 225 1968 320 1971
140 1965/6 190 1966 240 1969 350 1972
150 1966 200 1968 250 1969 360 1973

 

Price: The purchase price of the books is always shown on earlier Ladybird Books, either printed on the rear cover or inside the book on the fep (front end papers). For many years Ladybird Books were sold for 2/6.  In 1971 the UK changed to decimal currency and books were priced in pence (p), at first 15p and increasing as the years passed. For a short period, 1969-1971, books carried a dual price, 2/6|15p to prepare people for the changeover.

 

Appearance of Books: The early Ladybird Books have illustrated dust wrappers (or dust jackets) and the book covers normally had no coloured picture illustration but usually had the title and a line drawing. Dust wrappers were phased out around 1964 and the front cover then carried a matt coloured picture. During the 1970s laminated covers were introduced and these replaced the matt covers.

 

Publisher: Originally the publisher of these books was Wills & Hepworth Ltd and in 1971 the name was changed to  Ladybird Ltd, which can be a clue as to the probable age of a particular volume. 

 

Collectors of 1st editions: Only more recent Ladybird publications state whether they are 1st editions. For earlier books the probability of a 1st edition has to be deduced from one or more of the clues. Collecting House does not claim any title sold is or is not a 1st, we will only give as much evidence as we can. For the low offer price on these books we cannot undertake any investigation or make any promises, as we may do on our main book page. Buyers may take delivery of any book they choose and return the same within 7 days for a full refund of purchase price if they are not happy with their purchase. 

 

Please e-mail first to confirm availability of books. If still in stock we will reserve the item for up to 2 weeks (longer if you ask) and quote for the total cost.  

 

Postage Rates Within U.K. For Ladybird Books;

1 book £0.83p, 2 books £1.14, 3 books £1.30p, 4 books £1.75,  over 4 books add 0.30p for each book


 Additions to this page take regularly. Please visit us again soon

 

Series Title Tally

Original

Price

Description

Ref

Price

401 Mr. Badger To The Rescue 320 15p Rubs and bumps to extremities, small  ink blot on rear. Cup ring stain on rear. Inside good LB029 £2.50
401 Bob Bushtail's Adventure 300 15p Good. Slight bumps at corner and spine ends. Scuff near spine bottom front. Rear slightly grubby. Contents Fine LB133 £2.50
401 The Green Umbrella     Wills And Hepworth. An early Ladybird, sadly no dustjacket but in fair condition with bumps and rubs to corners and spine ends and marks on covers. No serious damage LB142 £17.50
401 Piggly Plays Truant     Wills And Hepworth. An early Ladybird, sadly no dustjacket but in fair condition with bumps and rubs to corners and spine ends and spine edges and marks on covers. No serious damage LB143 £17.50
413 Stories from the Garden Gang          
413 Gertrude Gooseberry and Belinda Blackcurrant   50p General tatty. Bumps rubs and scuffs to covers corners etc.  LB067 £0.75
413 Penelope Strawberry and Roger Radish   50p General tatty. Bumps rubs and scuffs  and wrinkles to covers corners etc. Inside good LB068 £0.75
413 Oliver Onion and Tim Tomato   40p General tatty. Bumps rubs and scuffs  to covers corners etc. .Inside scribbling and creases LB069 £0.40
  This is Stories from the Garden Gang, but series 793          
793 Pam Parsnip and Lawrence Lemon   50p Fair+. Bumped and rubbed at extremities covers scuffed. Name inside, few light creases LB080 £1.25
793 Wee Williee Water Melon and Betty Beetroot   60p Fair. Rubbed along all edges and bumped on corners and spine ends LB112 £1.00
497 The Discontented Pony ?? ?? 7th edition,1954. Fair, no dust jacket, bumps rubs on corners & spine ends. Paper cover splitting along hinges, scuffs on fep, name on fep. Contents Very Good. LB131 £6.50
497 Hannibal goes to school   30p 1978. Bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, few marks on rear cover. Internally Very Good LB162 £2.00
497 Mick the Disobedient Puppy 140 2/6 Wills & Hepworth, an early Ladybird. Rubbing to edges and corners, raer cver grubby. Internally Very Good LB145 £4.50
522 The Shepherd Boy Of Bethlehem     Wills & Hepworth, an early Ladybird. Brown covers, no dj, name on title page. Good LB205 £4.50
522 The Story of Daniel     Very early in dj, near fine. Open winged ladybird on dj and ep LB217 £7.50
522 The Story of Daniel 160 2/6d 1957. Bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, few rubs on rear cover. Fep crease, otherwise v.good LB033 £2.00
522 The Story of Joseph   2/6 Wills and Hepworth, brown covers,no dj Good LB210 £3.50
522 The Story of Joseph 230 2/6 Slight bumps to corners and spine ends, rubbing at edges. Remains of label over price. Inside fair some slight creasing to a few page corners. LB077 £1.50
522 Moses Prince and Shepherd 240 2/6 Matt cover. Slight bumps to corners and spine ends, rubbing at edges.. Prize sticker inside cover LB173 £2.00
522 Two Stories Jesus Told 350   Slight bumps, sticker over price LB216 £2.00
536 Birds of Prey   SOLD 260 15p Original price overstamped. Very slight rubs and bumps at extremities. Initials inside rear cover LB004 £3.00
536 British Birds and their Nest,  120 2/6d A Ladybird Nature Book. A very good book in a good dust jacket (slight edge crumpling with use and slight rubs on extremities)  LB075 £4.50
536 British Birds and their Nest,  120 2/6d A Wills and Hepworth Ladybird Nature Book. brown covers. No dj. A very good book LB201 £4.50
             
536  British Birds and their Nest, A Second Book of   2/6d A Ladybird 'Senior'. Early book still in dust wrapper. Dw tatty  around edges with rubs small tears and one repair to tear on rear. Book rubbed and bumped on extremities, bad red ink or paint blot on one page with smudging r egf ef onto facing page, name on title page. LB027 £4.50
536 British Wild Animals   SOLD 250 2/6|12½p Rubs to all edges, bumps to corners and spine ends, rubs to rear cover, name inside, contents good LB043 £3.00
536 Butterflies, Moths and other insects   SOLD 200 2/6 Rubs and bumps to edges and corners, name inside, contents very good LB044 £3.00
536 British Wild Flowers  SOLD 190 2/6 Wills and Hepworth, matt cover, slight bumps LB207 £4.50
536 Garden Birds 225 2/6 Very Good, few marks on cover No dj LB134 £4.50
536

Garden Birds

SOLD

250 2/6|12½p Dual priced. Rubs to all edges, bumps to corners and spine ends, rubs to rear cover, name inside, contents good LB036 £2.00
536 Garden Birds   SOLD 250 15p Slight rubs at extremities and small rub on rear. Initials inside rear cover LB010 £3.50
536 Garden Flowers ??   Early Wills and Hepworth. Matt brown covers, no dustjacket. Bumps to corners, gift inscription on fep else  Very Good+. 1st edition 1960 LB225 £5.00
536 Garden Flowers    SOLD 330 18p Good. Some marks and small scuffs on covers, corners and spine ends slightly bumped. Inside clean and tight LB096 £3.00
536 Heath and Woodland Birds 220 2/6 Wills and Hepworth. Rubbed through at corners and spine ends, rubs on rear, name inside, contents good LB037 £2.50
536 Heath and Woodland Birds    SOLD 220 2/6 Wills and Hepworth. Very Good LB213 £4.50
536 Heath and Woodland Birds 280 15p Very slight rubs and bumps at extremities. Initials inside rear cover LB013 £3.50
536 The Night Sky   SOLD 200 2/6 Slight bumps and rubs to extremities,  5mm tear to spine top LB005 £2.00
536 Pond And River Birds 230 2/6 Bumps to extremities, rubbed through at corners, marks on covers, rubs across rear cover, name inside, contents very good LB042 £3.75
536 Pond And River Birds 250 15p Light rubs to extremities. Initials inside rear cover LB006 £2.50
536 Pond Life 190 2/6 Bumped and rubbed through at corners, rubs to spine edges, rubs to rear cover,  name inside, contents good LB036 £2.50
536 Pond Life   SOLD 190   Sticker over price shows 15p (probably covering 2/6). Slight bumps and rubs to extremities LB016 £3.00
536   Rocks and Minerals, The Story Of Our 190 2/6 Bumps and rubs through to corners and spine ends, slight rub on front cover at lower corner, rear grubby, name and date inside, contents very good LB040 £3.50.
536   Rocks and Minerals, The Story Of Our    SOLD 280 15p Slight marks on rear, else very good LB202 £3.50
536 Sea and Estuary Birds 280 15p Slight rubs and bumps at extremities and small rub on rear. Initials inside rear cover LB009 £3.50
536 The Seashore    SOLD 135 2/6 Early Book. Minor bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, minor marks LB022 £3.00
536 Trees   SOLD 320 15p Very Good - just the slightest of rubs at spine LB001 £3.50
536 The Weather 140 2/6 Bumped and rubbed through at corners (small loss of picture at front lower corner), rubs to spine edges, grubby rear cover,  name inside, contents good LB038 £2.00
536 The Weather 290 15p Near fine condition LB079 £2.50
536 The Weather 340 24p Very Good, slight bumps and rubs to corners and spine ends, neat name on fep LB130 £2.00
536 The Weather   50p Very Good. Ex library with spine tags and stamps inside covers. Deposit on cover (glue?) hard to see but can be felt. Slight bumps and rubs to corners and spine ends . Inside clean and tight LB090 £2.00
536 What To Look For In Autumn  SOLD 330 Covered Good. Ex library with spine tag Cover protected by clear mylar sleeve. Bumps and rubes to extremities, inside clean and tight. LB091 £2.50
536 What To Look For In Spring    SOLD 200 2/6d Good. Ex library with spine tags and stamps inside covers. Cover protected by clear mylar sleeve. Bumps and rubes to extremities, inside clean and tight LB089 £2.50
536 What To Look For In Spring   SOLD 280 15p Bumps and rubs to extremities and edges and spine edges, few scuffs and marks on rear. Inside very good. Illustrated by Tunnicliffe  LB073 £2.00
536

What To Look For In Spring

SOLD

280 15p Rubs and bumps to corners and edges. Internally Very good LB222 £2.50
536 What To Look For In Spring   SOLD 340 24p Slight rubs to edges and spine ends, else very good LB039 £2.00
536

What To Look For In Summer

SOLD

  30p Fair. Ex school library. Tags on spine and stamps inside covers. In clear adhesive cover which has had part removed on rear tearing patch off cover and rucked at front (Probably caused when someone  tried to remove the library tag). Inside clean and tight LB091 £1.30
536 What To Look For In Winter   SOLD 190 2/6d Bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, name on fep crossed out and writing, otherwise good LB030 £3.50
536

What ToFS Look For In Winter

SOLD

190 2/6d Covered in clear plastic library wrap, school stamp inside, bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, spine cocked, inside good  LB051 £2.50
536 What To Look For In Winter 350 24p Fair. Book bowed, bad rubbing to corners, spine badly scuffed and cracking, name on fep, covers grubby LB143 £1.20
536 Your Body   SOLD 300 15p Very Good, slight rubs corners and spine ends LB129 £3.00
549 The Silver Arrow  SOLD 135 2/6 Wills & Hepworth. Bumps to corners and spine ends, rubs to edges and spine edges LB174 £3.50
561 The Story Of Captain Cook   SOLD 210 15p Wills & Hepworth. Inscription on fep, Price Sticker inside scratched out, else very good LB204 £3.00
561 The Story Of Captain Cook  SOLD 370 24p Original price (15p) stamped out. A little grubby. Light rubs to extremities. LB012 £3.00
561 Christopher Columbus   '2/6' 1961 Publisher Wills & Hepworth,brown paper covered boards, no dustwrapper. Byumps on extremities else Good LB167 £6.00
561 David Livingstone 100 2/6d Publisher Wills & Hepworth, Very Good in Very Good dustjacket, LB120 £7.50
561 The Story Of Henry V 260 159 Publisher Wills & Hepworth, Very Good, Rubs to edges and spine ends. Small scuff on cover and patch left by old label. Mark and dent on fep. Tight and clean internally LB224 £4.00
561 The Story Of Nelson 160 2/6d Publisher Wills & Hepworth, 1957. Very Good in Very Good dustjacket, LB119 £8.50
561 Sir Walter Raleigh  SOLD 190 2/6d Not first (illustrated cover), bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, slight rubbing on covers,  little scribble on rear, inside good LB034 £3.00
563 Puppies and Kittens 280 15p Bumped and rubbed and grubby. Internally fair LB220 £2.00
563 Telling The Time 135 2/6d Wills & Hepworth. Stains and marks on covers. Else Good LB206 £3.00
563 The Zoo    SOLD 100 2/6d A 'Ladybird Learning To Read book'. Still in (good) dust wrapper. Book very good with name inside LB025 £6.00
584 Commercial Vehicles SOLD 250 2/6|12½p Wills and Hepworth, matt covers, Very Good, bumps and rubbed through at corners, couple of small marks on covers. No names or writing, tight and clean internally LB226 £3.50
584 Merchant Ships     SOLD 340 15p Slight rubs at extremities and small rub on rear LB003 £3.00
587 Flight One Australia     Wills and Hepworth, 1958. Brown Covers, no dustjacket. No Names minor bumps to board extremities, internally tight and clean LB233 £9.00
587 Flight Two Canada     Wills and Hepworth, 1958. Brown Covers with dustjacket. Name on fep else Near Fine Condition LB212 £9.00
587 Flight Three U S A   2/6 Wills and Hepworth, 1958. Brown Covers with dustjacket. Near Fine Condition LB187 £9.00
587 Flight Five AFRICA   2/6 Wills and Hepworth, 1961. Brown Covers with dustjacket. Very Good Condition with slight rucks at spine tips, in good dustjacket, slight rbs and small tears at foldover  and spine edges LB188 £8.00
601 Exploring Space   SOLD 330 15p Slight bumps to spine ends LB007 £3.50
601 The Story Of Arms and Armour 290 15p Slight bump lower spine LB018 £3.00
601 The Story Of Houses And Homes   SOLD 170 2/6d Bumps and rubs to extremities, Spine edges rubbed. Very small tear on rear hinge LB014 £2.50
601 The Story Of Houses And Homes 170 2/6 Wills and Hepworth, Bumps and rubs to extremities, rubs along spine edges. Name on fep LB190 £3.00
601 The Story Of Lighthouses Lightships and Lifeboats  SOLD 200 2/6 Bumps and rubs to corners and spine ends. Marks from sticky tape  inside covers. Contents fine LB064 £3.00
601 The Story Of Railways 290 15p Good. Bumps and rubs to corners and spine ends. Pub by Wills & Hepworth. Conents clean bright and tight LB160 £3.00
601 Underwater Exploration    SOLD 210 2/6d 1967. Bumps and slight rubs to corners and spine. School stamp inside, otherwise very good LB031 £4.00
601 Underwater Exploration  SOLD 290 15p Matt covers, Wills & Hepworth, Bumps to ectremties, rubs to edges. Internally fine LB182 £3.50
606A A First Book Of Saints   SOLD 135 2/6 Wills & Hepworth, 1963. Bumps to extremities, rubbing to corners spine ends and covers. Internally a few marks on fep else clean and tight LB177 £4.00
606B People at Work-The farmer 200 2/6d Matt covers, Wills & Hepworth, bumps, rubs to corners and spine ends. Internally clean and tight LB228 £3.50
606B People at Work-The Airman   SOLD 200 2/6d Matt covers, Wills & Hepworth, bumps, rubs to edges, name on fep. Internally clean and tight LB200 £3.50
606B People at Work-THE LIFE-BOAT MEN 300 15p Matt covers, Wills & Hepworth, bumps, rubs to corners and spine ends. Internally clean and tight LB232 £5.00
 

-----

         
  Well Loved Tales          
606D The Big Pancake   SOLD 330 15p Fair. Scuffs to covers and edges, Spine edges rubbed through. Corners and spine ends bumped and rubbed. Inside clean and tight LB093 £1.30
606D The Brave Little Tailor SOLD   75p Near Fine, slight bump on corner. Stated 1st ed. Laminated covers LB172 £2.00
606D Cinderella  SOLD   60p Matt cover. Bumps and rubs to spine ends and corners, gift inscription inside. Contents Fine LB165 £2.50
606D Dick Whittington and his cat (see below under Favourite Tales for other title)   60p Matt cover. Covers well rubbed with bumps to extremities. Internally very good generally with 0.5inch cuts to two page edges LB163 £1.75
606D The Elves and the Shoemaker   SOLD 240 2/6 Wills and Hepworth matt covers, Bumps to corners and spine ends. Rubbing to covers and edges, splits at spine edge. Tear to last page  LB184 £2.30
606D

The Elves and the Shoemaker

SOLD

  40p Good.. Corners and spine ends bumped and rubbed. Some pages stained. Tight LB098 £2.00
606D The Enormous Turnip  SOLD   24p Rubs and bumps, writing inside cover and on fep LB196 £1.00
606D Goldilocks and the Three Bears   1.30 Bar Coded. Good, light bumps to extremities LB123 £1.75
606D The Goose Girl  ON HOLD   70p Laminated. In Very Good condition LB082 £1.75
606D Little Red Riding Hood  SOLD   1.30 Bar Coded. Good, light bumps to extremities . LB124 £1.75
606D Puss in Boots   SOLD   24p Very Good. Small bumps to extremities. Inside fine LB063 £2.50
606D The Three Little Pigs  SOLD   40p Fair, Rubbed and bumped along edges and corners and spine ends. Few pages lifting at binding, few marks on pages LB108 £1.75
 

-----

         
606E The Public Services, Electricity  SOLD 240 2/6 Wills & Hepworth, early Ladybird. bumps and rubs at extremities, some maks to covers, name on fep LB193 £5.00
606F Food 280 15p Rubs along spine edges, bumps and rubs to corners, small nibble from top of spine  LB055 £0.80
606F "Through the Ages" - Transport 260 2/6|12½p (overstamped 15p) Wills & Hepworth, 1970, matt covers. Rbs to corners and spine edges and one 10mm rub to lower cover edge. Inside clean and tight with no name or  writing LB231 £3.00
612 Book of Prayers   85p Laminated covers.Fine LB218 £2.00
612 The Lord's Prayer   2/6 Wills & Hepworth, early Ladybird. No dj. A Slight bumping, slight cover marks else Very Good LB147 £4.50
618 London             SOLD   '2/6' 1961 Publisher Wills & Hepworth,brown paper covered boards, no dustwrapper. Bumps on extremities, name on fep else Good LB168 £5.00
618 London         SOLD   24p Small bumps to corners and spine ends, else very good covers and very good internally. Map front endpapers, undergound plan rear endpapers. LB074 £2.00
621 Air, Wind and Flight   SOLD 280 15p Bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, grubby on cover LB023 £2.00
621 Air, Wind and Flight 370 24p Very Good. Top of spine has very small pull tears otherwise in Fine condition LB125 £2.50
621 Light, Mirrors and Lenses   SOLD 140 2/6 Wills and Hepworth. Bumps to corners and spine ends, name on fep. LB214 £2.50
621 Magnets, Bulbs and Batteries   SOLD 230 2/6 Wills and Hepworth. Early book in series, matt covers. Very good, slight rubs to corners. No nmaes or writing inside. LB225 £4.00
621 Magnets And Electricity   70p Near Fine. Very slight bumps to spine ends and bottom edges. States First Edition 1982 LB088 £2.75
633 Coarse Fishing 260 2/6|12½p Bumps to corners and spine ends, rubbing at spine edges, mark lweft by price label stuck over original printed price. Inside fep clipped (probably another price removed). Contents very good LB076 £2.00
633 How to swim and Dive   SOLD 280 15p Wills & Hepworth. Bbumps to extremities, rubs to edges LB183 £3.50
633 Stamp Collecting   30p Bumps to corners and spine ends LB215 £2.50
633 Stamp Collecting   50p Slight bumps to extremities, else in very good condition LB059 £2.50
633 Things To Make 290 15p Wills and Hepworth, matt covers. Good LB219 £2.50
633 Toys And Games To Make 280 15p Wills & Hepworth. Slight bumps to extremities   SOLD LB179 £3.00
633 Tricks and Magic 240 2/6 Good. Slight rubs to spine ends and edges and corners. Inside clean and tight LB105 £3.50
633 Tricks and Magic 260 2/6|12½p Wills & Hepworth. Near Fine LB146 £5.00
633 Tricks and Magic   24p Bumps to spine ends, name inside, few minor marks LB021 £2.50
644 The Stories Of Our Christmas Customs  SOLD 290 15p Wills & Hepworth.  Name on fep else near fine LB183 £4.00
649 Animals, Birds and Plants of the Bible 170 2/6 Wills & Hepworth, matt cover.  Very Good LB211 £4.00
649 Life In New Testament Times 300 15p Wills & Hepworth.  Name on fep else near fine LB178 £3.00
649 Life In New Testament Times 360 30p Near Fine LB191 £3.00
649 What to look for Inside A Church       SOLD 350 24p 1972. Matt covers. Bumps and rubs to corners, spine ends LB175 £3.50
651 Animals and how they live 280 15p Wills And Hepworth, Very good, slight bumps and rubs to corners and spine ends, name on fep, inside tight and clean. LB227 £3.00
651 Prehistoric Animals and Fossils 350 15p Slight bumps to extremities LB011 £3.00
651 Learning about Insects and Small Animals 320 15p Slight bumps to extremities. Initials inside rear cover LB019 £2.50
651 Plants and how they grow 210 2/6 Wills And Hepworth, an early Ladybird, Slight bumps  to edges, small mark on rear, else Near fine. Remarkable condition for an early edition LB223 £5.00
654 How it works - The Aeroplane   SOLD 260 2/6|12½p Wills And Hepworth, an early Ladybird, Slight bumps and rubs to edges, name on fep, else Very Good LB194 £3.00
654 Farm Machinery 280 15p Fair. Top 1 inch of spine has been restuck, rubs to edges. Corners and spine ends bumped and rubbed, few marks on covers, name on title page. Inside clean and tight LB094 £2.00
654 Farm Machinery 340 24p Bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, grubby on cover, name sticker inside LB024 £2.00
654 How it works - The Ocean Liner 290 15p Ex Library with question sheet stuck in front LB203 £1.50
662 Ballet 370 24p Bumps and rubs to extremities and edges, dated 1969. Contents clean bright and tight LB161 £2.50
662 Musical Instruments  SOLD     Laminated covers. Fine LB158 £2.50
662 The Story of Music 260 15p Wills And Hepworth, an early Ladybird, Slight bumps else Very Good LB186 £4.00
663 Our Land In The Making Book 2 210 2/6 Wills And Hepworth, an early Ladybird. Good Condition, minor bumps LB144 £4.00
663 Our Land In The Making - Book 1 220 2/6 Wills And Hepworth, an early Ladybird. Good Condition, minor bumps and rubbing along edges LB197 £4.00
663 Our Land In The Making - Book 2     SOLD 280 15p Wills And Hepworth, an early Ladybird. Rubs along edges, bumps to extremities, marks on rear, name on fep LB195 £3.00
671 Understanding Maps 200 2/6 Wills & Hepworth, matt covers. A little grubby else Very Good LB149 £5.50
671 Understanding Maps   40p Near Fine, slight rubs to board extremities LB157 £4.00
678 Junior Maths - Division