Forgotten Vintage Children's Lit We Want Republished! discussion

Gordon Boshell (1908-1991). After a varied writing career in journalism, with the World Health Organisation and the BBC Boshell turned to children's books and produced the popular Captain Cobwebb series of comedy adventures and the not quite so popular Secret Guardians series of YA action adventures. Hardback first editions of the Cobwebb series are now difficult to find in very good condition and are eye-wateringly expensive. They deserve some form of modern reprinting or reproduction to make them affordable again.

The Cobwebb books are about the adventures of David and Toby Green and their uncle Septimus Cobwebb. As a young man Septimus spent a night sitting in a fairy ring and instead of coming away with rheumatism got to live his life in a different world of extraordinary characters. The boys are able to send a message to their uncle by writing a letter, burning it and allowing the ashes to be blown by the wind into Septimus' world. After the first adventure Septimus gives the boys an easier way of joining him when they are bored with their conventional lives: a blue spot on one hand which when touched transports them into another wild and wonderful journey.

All of the books have a sense of humour strongly influenced by Spike Milligan's children's books – have a look at Badjelly the Witch: A Fairy Story – and the Goon Show and have a long list of eccentric and occasionally scary characters. The first two in the series were illustrated by Boshell and again the child-like images bring Spike Milligan to mind. The later titles were illustrated by Raymond Fishwick (the third book), and Trevor Stubley (all of the rest.) The Armada paperback reprints were illustrated by Graham Thompson.

The Secret Guardians series, only three were published, are the adventures of Simon Bean in the world of organised crime and espionage. They are full of chases, kidnaps and escapes and not unlike a young version of The Saint. Even in the mid-1970s the plots seemed more at home in the 50s. Prices of the first editions have been pulled up by the inflation of the Cobwebb series.


Captain Cobwebb, Chatto & Windus, 1967 (reprinted in paperback by Armada, 1977)

Captain Cobwebb's Cowboys, Chatto & Windus, 1969 (reprinted in paperback by Armada, 1977) [David and Toby are whisked off to the Wild West for an adventure with Fanty the elephorse, the Trollking, the Moccasin Indians and the Ugudugu-djuk, the mysterious Thing that Travels Beneath the Earth]

Captain Cobwebb's Cobra, Chatto & Windus, 1971 (reprinted in paperback by Armada, 1977)

Captain Cobwebb's Adventures, the title should actually be Captain Cobwebb's Adventurers, Macdonald, 1973 (reprinted in paperback by Armada, 1977) [David and Toby take off in the Great Flying Basket and carried to Howling Valley where they must face a desperate mission]

Captain Cobwebb and the Red Transistor, Macdonald, 1974 (reprinted in paperback by Armada, 1978) [The chief villains are the Wurgs – think of a land-based halibut with tentacles]

Captain Cobwebb and the Crustaks, Macdonald & Jane's, 1975 [The Crustaks are giant crabs]

Captain Cobwebb and the Chinese Unicorn, Macdonald & Jane's, 1976 [David and Toby have to protect the sacred unicorn of China and the Yeti from falling into the hands of Sir Gregory Grabb, the Wickedest Man in the World]

Captain Cobwebb and the Mischief Man, Macdonald & Jane's, 1977 [Coming up for Guy Fawkes' Night in the UK and David and Toby have made their own Guy, which comes to life as the Mischief Man]

Captain Cobwebb and the Quogs, Macdonald & Jane's, 1978 [David and Toby are captured by the Quogs – sort of giant spiders – and forced into an underground mine]

Captain Cobwebb and the Magic Drops, Macdonald & Jane's, 1979 [The World Below is about to seize control of Saranda and David and Toby must confront the mad inventor of the Magic Drops which can change the shape of anything or anyone]

Captain Cobwebb and the Amazing Cloud, Macdonald & Jane's, 1980

The Secret Guardians series

The Black Mercedes, Bailey & Swinfen, 1974 (reprinted in paperback by Target Books, 1977) [While on holiday in Yorkshire Simon Bean becomes involved with a mysterious German, finds himself caught up in the world of international crime, and is introduced to the Secret Guardians]

The Million Pound Ransom, Bailey & Swinfen, 1975 (reprinted in paperback by Target Books, 1977) [Simon Bean's friend has been kidnapped and then Simon is kidnapped too. Thankfully he can get a message to the Secret Guardians]

The Mendip Money-Makers, Bailey & Swinfen, 1976 (reprinted in paperback by Target Books, 1977)

Other Children's Books

The Boy From Black Marsh, Bailey & Swinfen, 1975