Penguin First Editions :: Early First Edition Penguin Books

In addition to the SERVICES EDITIONS and THE FORCES BOOK CLUB - both of which were intended for those in serving units - Penguin Books decided to produce and dispatch books to service personnel held as Prisoners of War. For three guineas a year an individual could receive a monthly parcel containing a selection of 10 books, very much like The Forces Book Club process. Very few copies of these books have survived, and there is no complete list. The books selected had to pass both the British censors, who vetted them to ensure that no vital information was inadvertently passed to the enemy, and the German security staff, to check that the contents did not aid escape or subversion. They were usually delivered as part of the Red Cross parcel system.

The books were made in standard Penguin format, and details of the PRISONER OF WAR BOOK SERVICE were included inside (see below).

Text from an advertising at the time (and in the books):
" THE PRISONER OF WAR BOOK SERVICE
Each month, in consultation with the organisation responsible for the distribution of printed matter to Prisoners of War Camps, and if necessary the Censors, the publishers select ten works of Modern Fiction, Crime, Travel, Biography, Humour, Science etc., which are packed and dispatched direct to individual prisoners of war through the usual channels. The annual subscription of three guineas payable in advance can be sent through any bookseller and will provide 120 books delivered regularly throughout the year at a cost per book, packed and delivered, of just over sixpence; six monthly and quarterly subscriptions will be accepted pro rata. "

Information and cover photographs of Prisoners of War Book Service Series:

PoW: 294	No.: PoW 294 Title: SIAMESE WHITE Author: Maurice Collis Date Published: August 1943 Pages: 224pp. Printer: R. and R. Clark Ltd Price: (subscription of 3 guineas per year for 120 books) This book was first published by Penguin in November 1940 Also shown is 'The Prisoner of War Book Service' information provided on the inside cover opposite the half-title page. Images and additional information courtesy of Jules Burt
PoW: 316	No.: PoW 316 Title: MODERN AMERICAN SHORT STORIES Selected: by Alan Steele and Joan Hancock Date Published: Forces Book Club December 1942 Pages: 128pp. Printer: Hunt, Barnard and Co Ltd Price: (subscription of 3 guineas per year for 120 books) This book was first published by Penguin in March 1941 Also shown is 'The Prisoner of War Book Service' information provided on the inside cover opposite the half-title page.
PoW: 415	No.: PoW 415 Title: MODERN IRISH SHORT STORIES Selected: by Alan Steele and Joan Hancock Date Published: September 1943 [printed date: May 1943] Pages: 128pp. Printer: Hunt, Barnard and Co Ltd Price: (subscription of 3 guineas per year for 120 books) This book was first published by Penguin in September 1943 Also shown is 'The Prisoner of War Book Service' information provided on the inside cover opposite the half-title page. Images and additional information courtesy of Jules Burt
PoW: 421	No.: PoW 421 Title: CLAUDIUS THE GOD Volume I Author: Robert Graves Date Published: Forces Book Club March 1943 Pages: 224pp. Printer: Hunt, Barnard and Co Ltd Price: (subscription of 3 guineas per year for 120 books) This book was first published by Penguin in August 1943 [printed date: March 1943] Image courtesy of Joe Pearson
PoW: 422	No.: PoW 422 Title: CLAUDIUS THE GOD Volume II Author: Robert Graves Date Published: Forces Book Club March 1943 Pages: 440pp. Printer: Hunt, Barnard and Co Ltd Price: (subscription of 3 guineas per year for 120 books) This book was first published by Penguin in August 1943 [printed date: March 1943] Also shown is 'The Prisoner of War Book Service' information provided on the inside cover opposite the half-title page.
PoW: A5	No.: PoW A5 Title: A SHORT HISTORY OF THE WORLD Author: H. G. Wells Date Published: Forces Book Club February 1943 (Revised Spring 1943) Pages: 296pp. Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd Price: (subscription of 3 guineas per year for 120 books) This book was first published by Penguin as No. 31 in March 1936 and as a Pelican in May 1937. Also shown is 'The Prisoner of War Book Service' information provided on the inside cover opposite the half-title page.
PoW: A108	No.: PoW A108 Title: WHAT HAPPENED IN HISTORY Author: Gordon Childe Date Published: 1942 Pages: 256pp. Printer: Wyman and Sons Ltd Price: (subscription of 3 guineas per year for 120 books) This book was first published by Penguin as a Pelican in December 1942 and in The Forces Book Club series in November 1942. Also shown is 'The Prisoner of War Book Service' information provided on the inside cover opposite the half-title page.

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