PENGUIN EPHEMERA




A variety of Ephemera produced by Penguin Books and others

Over the years Penguin Books have produced a variety of items which have become known as 'Ephemera'. These were, in the main, created to advertise the company, a range of series, events, and products. We include all sorts of items, from early business reply cards to Christmas cards. Also included are internal publications. Details of the item are included where available, but many were not dated, and so their order on this page is somewhat arbitrary. A few of the items shown have been produced by other companies, with the agreement of Penguin Books Ltd.






Information and images of Penguin Ephemera

1937 Business Reply Card	Item: PENGUIN BUSINESS REPLY CARD INSERT ADVERT "If you would like to know when new titles are added" Date: 1937 This business reply card (top two images) was inserted in many of the early books in 1937. Penguin had a huge response, and within the first three months the Post Office had returned to Penguin 26,000 cards at a cost of £108. Penguin revised the reply card, with the sender required to pay the halfpenny postage (bottom two images). Penguin continued to have tremendous response and by August 1937 60,000 people were on the mailing list!
c. 1937 Assurance Advert	Item: BUSINESS REPLY CARD INSERT ADVERTISING THE 'PEARL PENSION ASSURANCE SCHEME' Date: c. 1937 This, and similar cards appeared inserted in many of the early books. Penguins were paid 10/- per thousand inserts. The second image is of the 'business reply address' side.
c. 1938 Reading-case Advert	Item: READING-CASE AND READING CASE LABEL (FOR SPINE) Date: c. 1938 Price: 6d. Penguin Books produced firm cloth covers 'reading cases' to help protect and preserve the books. The Dust Jackets of the books carried a small advert on the back flap which also included the 'label' for the spine of the reading-case. The instructions stated "This book will keep better if it is protected by the special Penguin reading-case (6d. from any bookseller). Cut out this label and paste it on to the back of the case." However, since the books were still mostly 6d. in price and the covers cost another sixpence, not many were bought. The image shown is of a blue cover with silver logo, and organge were produced for fiction, and so on. The second image is of the label on the flap of the back of the dust jacket which advertises the covers (in this example an orange fiction book).
1947 Double Volumes	Item: PENGUIN AND PELICAN: PAPER INSERT ANNOUNCING DOUBLE VOLUMES Date Published: 1947 'On the cover of this book you will see two Penguins - or may be Pelicans - in place of the familiar solitary bird.' The note announces the Double Volume, rather than splitting thick books into two, they are now printed as one volume, but twice the price!
1948 King Penguins	Item: THE KING PENGUIN BOOKS - Advertisment/list of King Penguins in the format of a bookmark Date: 1948 Format: small paper with vertical fold, providing 4 sides
c. 1948 Music Magazine	Item: PAPER INSERT ADVERTISING THE PENGUIN MUSIC MAGAZINE Date Published: c. 1948
1950 Christmas Card	Item: CHRISTMAS CARD - 1950 - SIGNED BY ALLEN LANE Date: 1950 Images of front and inside
Display	Item: SHOP DISPLAY FOR PENGUIN MUSIC BOOKS Date: early 1950's
cardboard packaging	Item: CHRISTMAS CARDBOARD PACKAGING for PENGUIN BOOK
Christmas Card	Item: PENGUIN CHRISTMAS CARD with special Penguin verse on back Images show front of card with message, back with verse, and one image of how card is folded.
good wishes slip	Item: GOOD WISHES SLIP accompanying a 'CHRISTMAS BOOK' from Allen Lane
with compliments slip	Item: WITH COMPLIMENTS SLIP: 'PENGUINS COMING OF AGE' With the compliments of Sir Allen Lane 1935 - 1956 Produced at time of 21st Birthday of Penguins
1956 Bookshelf	Item: THE PENGUIN BOOKSHELF Date Published: Spring 1956 Pages: 4pp. and 2pp. Item designed: by Frank Height Price of item: 88/- (including Purchase Tax) Produced: by Beaver and Tapley Ltd, Furniture Manufacturers 'EVERYONE READS PENGUINS' - The Penguin Bookshelf holds about 150 Penguins in nine separate divisions. 2 models, a Floor and Wall model - made from solid Nigerian Walnut. Four images shown: the first two are of a colour leaflet (4 pages); the latter two are of a small single page leaflet inserted into Penguin Books.
Notepad	Item: NOTEPAD produced by C. Nicholls and Co Ltd. The facsimilie cover flips over from the top to reveal a plain paper note-pad. Printer/Production: C. Nicholls and Co Ltd "It was during the War that the Company began producing Penguin Books for Allen Lane and this note pad is a facsimilie of an early title produced at the Philips Park Press in 1946." Second image of back cover.
1960 Penguin leaflet	Item: ADVERTISING LEAFLET: A FEAST OF PENGUINS: Twenty-five outstanding books for Penguins 25th Birthday Pages: sheet folded vertically in form of bookmark to give 4 sides Second image shows middle two pages with the 25 books listed.
1961 Penguin Book	Item: BOOK - PENGUIN CLASSICS QUIZ: Are you well read? Cover design: by Richard Hollis and shows, from left to right, top to bottom: Strindberg, Ibsen, Dostoyevsky, Josephus, Xenophon, Flaubert, Cicero, Descartes and Homer Date Published: 1961 Pages: 32pp. Printer: Western Printing Services Ltd Second image shows title page giving explanation of book
Handbook	Item: PENGUIN ORGANIZATION HANDBOOK Date Published: not given Pages: 22pp. Plastic ring binding book produced as internal guide. Second image shows Editorial Board Organization Chart Third image shows Production Department Organization Chart
1962 Leaflet	Item: ANNOUNCEMENT LEAFLET FOR NEW PEREGRINE BOOK SERIES ('Y') Date Published: 1962 Pages: 6pp. Images show whole leaflet Images courtesy of Andrew Malin
1962	Item: PENGUINS LOOK AT THE NEW AFRICA WITH THE - PENGUIN AFRICAN LIBRARY Produced to advertise the launch of the revised series, after the West Africa Penguins, of the Penguin African Library in June 1962. Series with prefix 'AP'. Date Published: 1962 Pages: 4pp. Design based on the Cover of AP2 Title: A SHORT HISTORY OF AFRICA Series Editor: Ronald Segal Cover Design: by Massimo Vignelli, photos by Europress Date Published: June 1962 This book entry can be found on the Penguin African Library page.
1963 Penguin Donkey	Item: ADVERTISING LEAFLET: PENGUIN DONKEY ISOKON Furniture produced the original Penguin Donkey made out of Birch Ply in 1939 which was designed by Egon Riss and had curved wood. Their Mark 2 version produced in 1963, designed by Ernest Race reconfigured the orginal shape to include a flat top which allowed it to be used as a side table. It was 53.5 cm wide x 40.0 cm deep x 39.5 cm high. Leaflet size 7" x 4" to fit as an insert in Penguin Books.
Reading-case	Item: READING-CASE WITH EMBOSSED PENGUIN LOGO Penguin produced a variety of reading-cases to protect books. These were in plastic, in various colours and also clear.
advert for hard covers	Item: ADVERTISEMENT FOR HARD-COVER PENGUIN BOOKS
leaflet	Item: ADVERTISING LEAFLET: PRESENTABLE PENGUINS - Some of the thousand Penguins, Pelicans and Puffins suitable for gifts Cover illustration: by John Griffiths Pages: bookmark format, sheet folded vertically
3D glasses	Item: 3D GLASSES - FOR PUFFIN BOOKS SPECTACULAR READING! and BOOKMARK TYPE ADVERT FOR PUFFIN BOOKS 'SPECTACULAR EASTER READS FROM PUFFIN'. On the reverse is printed 'WHY TOADS LOOK MUCH MORE SERIOUS THAN FROGS' in 3D format/colouring Top image of the 3D glasses or spectacles made of card and red/green celluloid; the second image is of the bookmark.
1966 Author's Guide	Item: AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO PENGUIN HOUSE STYLE Date Published: 1966 Pages: 36pp. Produced 'in-house' as guidance for potential authors. Image of 1967 reprint.
1972 bookmark	Item: ADVERTISING BOOKMARK: FOR PENGUIN UNIVERSITY BOOKS Date Published: mid 1972 The 'typewriter' style font and black background are same design theme as the Penguin University Book series (PUB). Second image shows reverse side of bookmark Images courtesy of Andrew Malin
c. 1973 bookmark	Item: ADVERTISING BOOKMARK: FOR GIFT SETS (possibly Christmas 1973) Second image shows reverse side of bookmark
c. 1974 Puffin Books Mug	Item: PUFFIN BOOKS MUG Design: Puffin designed by Quentin Blake Date: c. 1974 Manufactured: by Churchill, in England Second image shows detail of design Third image shows base of mug
c. 1975 matches	Item: ADVERTISING MATCHES: Book of Matches - 40 years of Penguin Books: 1935 - 1975 Date: 1975 Manufactured: by Bryant and May, 'Sovereign' Safety Book Matches, Made in England Second image shows inside of match-book with 20 matches, each imprinted with 'PENGUIN BOOKS'
c. 1979? Cassette Guide	Item: THE PENGUIN CASSETTE GUIDE - Listing of 1,000 cassette tapes (in association with DECCA Group) Date: October 1979 ? Pages: 16pp. Printer: Clout and Baker Ltd. Second image shows back cover
Book Plates	Item: SHEET OF PUFFIN BOOK PLATES Description: Gummed sheet, measuring 295mm x 220mm with 8 printed Book Plates to be stuck in 'your favourite books'. There is room at the bottom of each label to write their name. They were to be 'Cut out along the dotted line'. Second image shows a label in more detail.
1979 Puffin Post	Item: PUFFIN POST - SUMMER 1979 - Vol.13 No. 12 The Official Voice of the Puffin Club founded in 1967 Editor: Kaye Webb Date Published: 1979 Pages: 32pp. + covers Printer: Hillingdon Press
c.1980 Puffin Club	Item: Two ADVERTISING LEAFLETS PROMOTING THE PUFFIN CLUB: Free Membership of the 'PUFFIN CLUB' with starter packs Date: c. 1980 Two leaflets, one a promotional leaflet, the other an order form, for membership of the 'Puffin Club' and starter packs
c.1980 Penguin Paper Bag	Item: PENGUIN BAG TO HOLD BOOKS, WITH STRING TIE Date: c. 1980 This paper bag was most probably made to be available for wrapping Penguin Books on the opening of the first Penguin Bookshop in Covent Garden, London, in 1980. It was constructed in envelope fashion with a string tie. Second image shows reverse side of paper bag with stuck down sides, third image shows central detail. Images courtesy of Ruth Yeo
Puffin Post	Item: PUFFIN POST - Vol.15 No. 12 Cover design: by J. A. Date Published: Pages: 32pp. Printer: Surrey Fine Art Press Ltd
1981 Puffin leaflet	Item: ADVERTISING LEAFLET: FORTY FAMOUS PUFFIN YEARS 1941 - 1981 Pages: bookmark format - folded in two Puffin Story Books - plus great birthday competition! Second image shows inside of folded bookmark - giving a potted history of Puffin Books
1981 Mini-Book	Item: STOP - A GUIDE TO NON-SMOKING : SPECIAL ISSUE Author: Pat Emery Format: This very small book was made to look like a packet of cigarettes, and wrapped in cellophane Date Published: 7 May 1981 Publisher: VERSO Penguin Books Price: 95p Photographed with cellophane wrapping covering mini-book The second image shows the side of the 'packet' or pocket book. It bears a facsimilie health warning "H. M. Govt. Health Depts.' WARNING: CIGARETTES CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH. PENGUIN BOOKS"
c. 1982 Booklet	Item: BOOKLET: 'THE LITERATURE OF THE BRITISH ISLES IN PENGUIN: A CHRONOLOGY' Cover illustration: 'Dante's Dream' by Sir Jospeh Noel Paton Date Published: c. 1982 Pages: 36pp. This booklet provides a listing of published and forthcoming Penguin Books, described and listed under nine groupings - from Anglo Saxon and Middle English Literature to Post War. Images of front of booklet and title/contents page.
1983 Puffin News	Item: PUFFIN NEWS 1983 - List of Puffin Books with offer to get Post Free if four or more books are ordered. (Offer ends December 1st, 1983) Date Published: 1983 Pages: 4 sides Images of front of leaflet and back with order form.
1983 Christmas Card	Item: A CHRISTMAS CARD 1983 - Sent out by Penguin Books, Melbourne, Australia Date Published: 1983 Pages: 4 sides Images of front of card, and card opened out (front and back)
1985 Puffin Post	Item: PUFFIN POST - SPRING 1985 - No. 5 Date Published: 1985 Pages: 24pp. + covers Printer: not stated Price: 30p
	Item: BRIEF LIVES, LOVES AND LONGINGS - THE SHORT STORY IN PENGUIN Introduction: by Tony Lacy Pages: 80pp. Price: 'FREE PLEASE TAKE ONE'
1985 Shop sign	Item: SHOP SIGN Date: 1985 Images shown of a hanging shop sign Open and Closed on reverse; 1985 to celebrate 50 year anniversary of Penguin Books
1985 Stickers	Item: STICKERS - ADVERTISING 50 PENGUIN YEARS Date: 1985 Image shows sheet containing 12 circular peel-off stickers; 1985 to celebrate 50 year anniversary of Penguin Books
1985 Royal Doulton Figure	Item: ROYAL DALTON FIGURE Date: for July 1985 Dimensions: 114mm height; base 69mm x 48mm It is said that this item was produced for staff, by way of a 'thank you', as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Second and third images show views from rear and base.
1985 Booklet	Item: BOOKLET - FIFTY PENGUIN YEARS: CHRONOLOGY Date: 1985 A four page booklet detailing the 'chronology' of significant events at Penguins covering the period from 30 July 1935 to August 1985, and produced to celebrate 50 year anniversary of Penguin Books.
1991 Puffins	Item: THE STORY OF PUFFIN BOOKS Author: Sally Gritten Date: 1991 Published: by Penguin Books Pages: 32pp. Second image shows the title page with index. Produced as part of 50th Anniversary of Puffin Books.
1991 Puffins	Item: FIFTY PUFFIN YEARS: A CELEBRATION IN POETRY Authors: various Date: 1991 Published: by Penguin Books Pages: 8pp. This small poetry booklet was produced together with 'The Story of Puffin Books' as part of 50th Anniversary of Puffin Books.
Picture Puffin	Item: ADVERTISING LEAFLET: FIRST STEPS TO READING WITH PICTURE PUFFIN Leaflet photography: by Fiona Pragoff Pages: sheet folded in 3 to give 6 sides For children age 0-6. Introducing 'first steps', 'books to share', 'books for play' and 'books to learn'.
Picture Puffin	Item: ADVERTISING LEAFLET: GIANT STEPS INTO READING WITH YOUNG PUFFIN Illustrations: by Elisa Trimby, Margaret Gordon, Jill Murphy and Caroline Crossland Pages: sheet folded in 3 to give 6 sides For children Aged 6-8. Introduced new colour coding: yellow for 'read aloud'; blue for 'read alone'; white for 'story book'; and pink for 'poetry'.
1993 Year Planner	Item: PENGUIN CLASSICS - ACADEMIC YEAR PLANNER 1993/4 Produced: by Penguin for Waterstone's Bookseller The item unfolds to provide on the other side a large academic year planner from September 1993 to September 1994, with illustrations of some Penguin Classics book covers and a list of Waterstone's Bookshops. Second image of the planner.
1993 Card Games	Item: THE PENGUIN BOX OF CARD GAMES: Contains The Penguin Book of CARD GAMES and 2 packs of playing cards. Date: 1993 Production: Ted Smart (The Book People Ltd) Price: £12.99 Title of Book: THE PENGUIN BOOK OF CARD GAMES Author: David Parlett Date Published: 1993 reprint with revisions; [1979] Pages: 480pp. Printer: Clays Ltd Playing Cards: 2 packs of 56 cards; produced by Carta Mundi, made in Belgium. Box Size: 312mm x 160mm x 30mm Images show box cover, contents, book cover, 2 packets of playing cards, and playing cards
1994 Address Book	Item: PENGUIN CLASSICS - ADDRESS BOOK Date: 1994 Produced: by Remploy Creative Products for Penguin Books Ltd Cover: includes reproduction of design of Penguin Classics Cover of 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' by Choderlos de Laclos which shows a detail from 'The Bull' by Jean Honoré Fragonard in the Louvre, Paris (photo: Giraudon) Pages: 32pp. Second image shows inside pages of address book
1995 Advertising Brochure	Item: ADVERTISING BROCHURE 16 page booklet (plus covers) advertising range of books and other products produced for 60th Anniversary Date: 1995 Pages: 16pp. Second image shows page from inside with other anniversary products. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary.
1995 Promotional Leaflet	Item: PROMOTIONAL LEAFLET FOR TRADE advertising display stands and books, 60 authors and books being sold for 60 pence, with a small format of 138mm x 106mm. Produced for 60th Anniversary Date: for 6 July 1995 Pages: 4pp. Second and third images show inside pages. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary.
1995 T-Shirt	Item: 100% COTTON T-SHIRT with Green Crime and Mystery design of FAREWELL, MY LOVELY by Raymond Chandler Produced: for Penguin Image of T-Shirt in original wrapping. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary. This item is available from Oakburn Books: Oakburn Books - T-Shirt
1995 Playing Cards	Item: THE PLAYING CARDS: SIXTY PENGUIN YEARS Date: 1995 Produced: for Penguin Set of playing cards in original carton with face of cards depicting Penguin Books. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary. This item can be acquired direct from Amazon using this link: Penguin Playing Cards
1995 Rubber Stamp	Item: RUBBER STAMP - BOOKPLATE SET Date: 1995 Produced: for Penguin Books by First Class Stamps Ltd Boxed set contains 1 wood mounted rubber stamp with a Penguin Logo with the words "This book belongs to", 1 black ink pad, and 20 gummed bookplate stickers. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary.
1995 Model Van	Item: 1950 BEDFORD 30CWT DELIVERY VAN - PENGUIN BOOKS SIXTY PENGUIN YEARS Date: 1995 Produced: by Lledo PLC Boxed model of 1950 Penguin Delivery Van for 'Vanguards' Days Gone - Fifties and Sixties Classic Collection. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary.
1995 Wristwatch	Item: BLACK PLASTIC WRISTWATCH commemorating 60 Penguin Years Date: 1995 This is a rare item produced as part of 60th Anniversary. It has the Penguin logo and 60th Anniversary theme on the watchface.
1995 Notebook	Item: NOTEBOOK - depicting cover of John Buchan's THE THIRTY NINE STEPS Date: 1995 Pages: 32pp. of blank white paper Produced as part of 60th Anniversary.
1995 Wrapping Paper	Item: WRAPPING PAPER design of Penguin covers Date: 1995 Sold in roll of 4 sheets, each 700mm x 495mm, and wrpapped in plastic film. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary.
1995 Promotional Postcards	Item: PROMOTIONAL POSTCARDS: Postcards advertising books to be published on 6 July 1995 as part of 60th Anniversary. The cards bear the strap-line "There are paperbacks, and there is Penguin". Date: for 6 July 1995 Final two images show detail of card advertising 'Signals of Distress' by Jim Grace; photography by Christa Stadtler. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary.
1995 Internal Memo	Item: INTERNAL MEMO: From Trevor Glover 'Most of you will not have had the opportunity to read this article on the history of the "Paperback Revolution", here reproduced by kind permission of The Bookseller' Date: 13 April 1995 Pages: 16pp. Contains articles reproduced from 'The Bookseller' of 17 March 1995. Produced as part of 60th Anniversary.
1995 Puffin Promotion	Item: PROMOTIONAL LEAFLET - PICTURE PUFFIN 'PRIVILEGED CUSTOMER' APPLICATION FORM Date: 1995 With free prize draw closing on 31st December 1995.
1996 75p voucher	Item: GALAXY CHOCOLATE BAR WRAPPER WITH VOUCHER FOR 75p OFF A PENGUIN BOOK Date: 1996 Promoter: Mars Confectionery "This wapper will be accepted at participating outlets from 24.4.96 to 31.12.96 as 75p towards purchase of a Penguin paperback or Penguin Audiobook for £4.99 or over."
1997 leaflet	Item: ADVERTISING PROMOTION LEAFLET: "BOOK IN FOR A PERFECT WEEKEND" Spend just £10 on Penguin Paperbacks and/or Audiobooks - claim a free weekend break Date: early 1997
Advertising Cards	Item: ADVERTISING POSTCARDS: COLOUR POSTCARDS DESIGNED TO ADVERTISE BOOKS OF PETER ACKROYD Four images shown relate to Peter Ackroyd's books: first - his first novel 'The Great Fire of London'; second - the novel 'The Last Testament of Oscar Wilde'; third - the back of the Oscar Wilde postcard; fourth - his new novel 'English Music'.
1998 Penguin Press	Item: THE PENGUIN PRESS CATALOGUE - January - July 1998 Cover illustration: shows detail from Edward Sackville, 4th Earl of Dorset, 1613, attributed to William Larkin (Ranger's House, Blackheath) Date published: 1998 Pages: 64pp. Produced: by Penguin Books
2002 Calendar Penguin Press	Item: THE PENGUIN 2002 CALENDAR in CD HOLDER/STAND Contents: 13 Cards, one for each month plus front year card. Each card (front) is white with picture/image and calendar for month. The back of card is orange with a glossy half Penguin logo and information about image on the front. Date published: 2002 [printed in 2001] Size: 119mm x 138mm; clear plastic (CD) holder Images show: boxed set; 2002 cover; January; June; November; December; and reverse side of December card.
2004 Pencils	Item: PENGUIN PENCILS (contains 6 'completely unsharpened' pencils) Date produced: 2004 Produced: for Penguin in Taiwan for Arts Meets Matter Ltd.
2007 Classics	Item: OUR FAVOURITE CLASSICS Introduction: by Adam Freudenheim (Penguin Classics Publisher) Cover design: by Coralie Bickford-Smith Layout: by Jon Morgan Date published: 2007 Produced: by Penguin (this copy for Waterstone) Pages: 24pp. including covers Price: free Contains information on 100 favourite classics.
2008 Notebook	Item: TRI-BAND SMALL NOTEBOOK - depicting cover of Louis Kornitzer's PEARLS AND MEN with spine showing details and main series no. 541 Date: 2008 Produced: for Penguin Books, made in China
2008 Notebook	Item: 'PENGUIN SPINES'LINED LARGE NOTEBOOK - spine has 'JOURNAL' as title Date: 2008 Produced: for Penguin Books, made in China <
2010 Boardgame	Item: THE GREAT PENGUIN BOOKCHASE - BOARDGAME Created: by Tony Davis Date: 2010 Produced: by Art Meets Matter Ltd 'Specially designed edition of Bookchase® produced with kind permission of Penguin Books Ltd to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the original Penguin paperbacks first published in 1935.' Second image shows board and contents.
2010 Notebook	Item: 'PENGUIN CLASSIC SPINES' NOTEBOOKS - spine has title, author and Penguin logo Date: 2010 Produced: for Penguin Books by Wild and Wolf. Size 4.3" x 2.6" x 0.25" This item usually was sold as a set of 4 notebooks with the covers of 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac, 'A Room of One's Own' by Virginia Woolf, 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler, and 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde. Part of 75th Anniversary products
2010 Bookmark	Item: ADVERTISING BOOKMARK - CELEBRATING 75 Years of Penguin Books Date: 2010 Second image shows reverse side of bookmark
2014 Penguin Mug	Item: PENGUIN MUG showing book cover design of Emily Brontë's WUTHERING HEIGHTS Date: 2014 Produced: for Penguin
Postcards	Item: POSTCARDS FROM PENGUIN - ONE HUNDRED BOOK COVERS IN ONE BOX Box design: by Jim Stoddart Produced: for Penguin Books Price: £14.99 'A collection of 100 postcards, each featuring a different and iconic Penguin book cover. From classics to crime fiction, this is a selection from over seventy years of quintessentially British design in one box.' Second image shows some of the contents. This item can be acquired direct from Amazon using this link: Postcards from Penguin

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