31 Days of Nancy Drew Topic #18 Nancy Drew Collectibles to Collect

31 Days of Nancy Drew Topic #18

Nancy Drew Collectibles to Collect

Aside from 1970s TV show collectibles - of which there are many - the largest category of collectibles focuses on the books themselves. These can be broken down into vintage/classic which focuses on the 1930s to mid-1980s and covers the classic 56 hardcovers and the Wanderer paperback era. This will be my focus today. Then from the mid-80s to present day we have collectibles focusing on the spinoff series like the Nancy Drew Files and then the modern series like Girl Detective and Diaries plus merchandise that has been created by companies in the last couple of decades focusing on both classic and the modern series and spinoffs--this post-mid80s to present day category will be the focus of tomorrow's blog.

 

 

 

I've spent quite a bit of time cataloging all of my collectible items and paper ephemera and most is up at my Pinterest page in various board categories. I even have a board of missing collectibles - the ones that got away that I missed or got outbid on at eBay. Like the datebook/homework planner which I'd love to acquire

You may wonder what goes back to the 1930s outside of the 1930s films? The earliest of collectibles would include cover art paintings from 30s editions by Russell H. Tandy - some of which are known to be out there or in specific private hands, advertising materials like catalogs and even original historical documents and copies of those documents that go behind the scenes of the production of Nancy Drew. At one time there was talks behind the scenes for a Nancy Drew clothing line - it never materialized, but imagine how amazing those vintage clothes would be today!

 

 

 

 

Classic and vintage book related collectibles include original documents and source material, artwork, advertising and paper ephemera, games, special books like activity books and coloring books, diaries, a doll, games, book buy offers and ads, printer plates and stamps, bookstore signs, book and record sets, box sets, cereal boxes and premiums, press photos and articles, and more fun things. I featured the Cookbook, Sleuth Book, and the large picture books and a few other special editions in a previous posting as well as book club editions and club materials from those. I will picture a few fan club items but those will be a larger focus of an upcoming 31 days posting.

 

Early on there was not a whole lot of merchandising - the Syndicate was pretty strict about this and focused more on the books. By the 1950s that began to change when Parker Bros licensed Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys for games. The Nancy Drew Mystery Game came out in 1957 and then again in 1959 with a new box art design. There are variations in the wooden or plastic playing pieces and colors as well as some car variations and board and game card color variations. There is also a Canadian version of the 1959 game that has its own variations as well. And a Norwegian version out in the 70s. Check out the link to my website to see all the variations you can collect. You'll also see some other games based on other popular series books that have been created.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1967 saw the release of the Madame Alexander Nancy Drew doll which came out with some variation of outfits but featured sunglasses, a camera, bag and binoculars, a tag with the name "Nancy Drew" on it and finding this doll with all the accessories and the original box is ideal but not always easy. The doll was not on the market long because Harriet Adams didn't like it - it was too babyish for her taste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the 1970s, there was a lot more merchandise and I'll picture a sampling here including some of my favorite things - but check it all out - at least what I have - at my Pinterest board here - it is the main board, but there are items on other boards ranging from vintage advertising items, art, book club memorabilia, fan club memorabilia, magazines and catalogs featuring some aspect of these books, historical items like Carolyn Keene fan letters and signed books - so check out all of the boards to get a good sampling of it all.

 

 

 

 

 

As always, if you have a collectible produced, used, marketed in the period from 1930 to the mid-80s focusing on the classic series and Wanderer era, that I don't have at Pinterest either in the link above or the missing ones board there,  please share it here and let us know what else we're missing out on! That's the fun of collecting, getting to sleuth for more things :)

 

 

 

 

 

In the comments, tell us if you collect beyond the books and like to acquire the various collectibles? Do you collect anything Nancy Drew or do you stick to a specific type? What is your favorite Nancy Drew collectible you own?