Five Go to Mystery Moor
Enid Blyton
📚 Genre
Children's Fiction, Adventure, Mystery
🏢 Publisher
Hodder & Stoughton
📅 Publication Year
1954
🔢 ISBN
None (Pre-dates ISBN system; later editions use 978-0340033487)
About This Book
The thirteenth adventure in the Famous Five series. Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy the dog go on a holiday to Mystery Moor. They encounter a group of gypsies and a plane that drops mysterious packages, leading them into a plot involving smugglers. The book features a red cloth-bound cover with the title and author's signature stamped in black.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
183-192 pages
Edition
First Edition
Series
The Famous Five Series, Book 13 of 21
Target Audience
Children (Middle Grade, ages 8-12)
Collector Information
Condition
Good. The red cloth boards show some edge wear and slight fading on the spine. There is a small ink mark near the author's signature on the front cover. The binding appears intact but used.
Estimated Value
$15-$30 USD (Value is significantly reduced due to the absence of the original dust jacket, which is the primary driver of value for Blyton first editions)
Rarity
Uncommon. While many copies were printed, finding a true 1954 first edition in good condition is getting harder, though it remains widely available on the secondary market.
Historical Significance
The Famous Five is one of the most successful children's series in history, with over 100 million copies sold. Enid Blyton remains one of the world's best-selling authors, though her work has faced historical controversy regarding simplified language and social stereotypes.
Collector Notes
For this title, the dust jacket (illustrated by Eileen Soper) can represent 80-90% of the total value. Collectors look for the red boards to be vibrant and free of 'foxing' (brown spots). To preserve, store away from direct sunlight to prevent the red cloth from fading to a dull pink. Verify the title page confirms 1954 with no later reprint dates listed to ensure first edition status.
Similar Books
The Secret Seven by Enid Blyton, Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon
Notable Features
Black stamped facsimile signature of Enid Blyton on the front cover; missing original dust jacket.
Notes
1954 Edition