|
Who wants to read a Seckatary Hawkins Story?
If you wonder what the excitement and interest is all about, and
would like to read a Seckatary Hawkins adventure for yourself, now
you can. The club has been working hard to make small print runs of
these famous stories. This is a club group effort made possible by
the volunteer work of many, and group participation of all club
members in all aspects of creating new, top quality books that do
not cost huge amounts as some antique editions do. Early 1900's
Seckatary Hawkins stories that have never been in book form before
are available for purchase by club members only.
 |
NEW!
World Premiere!
Covington's Behringer/Crawford Museum is ALL Abuzz About Books!
|
Be the first in line at the world's first event
announcing the re-release of Harper Lee's favorite childhood books
|
"Stoner's Boy" |
"The Gray Ghost" |
|
 |
 |
by Covington native Robert Schulkers
|
Now you
can own the same two books that make up the last two pages of To Kill a
Mockingbird.
You can order these
books from the following stores:
February 3, 2018 will mark the 100th anniversary of Seckatary Hawkins in
print. Since the Fair & Square Club reformed on the internet in 1998, many
club members have expressed a desire to see Seckatary Hawkins books more
affordable and readily available to the public - and particularly for
children.
When I first
set up this website in 1998 I was hoping to recreate some nationwide
interest in the Seckatary Hawkins Fair & Square Club. I found quite a few
readers who shared my enthusiasm, and we have signed up over 2700 members
since then. Working with these very enthusiastic and wonderful club
members, we have held 4 big, national club meetings and have reprinted all
Grandpa’s books, among other things. We even made other Seckatary sequel
stories that appeared in nationwide newspapers into books. Now, with the
University of Kentucky’s adoption of the two books that Harper Lee loved as
a child, we are about to reach a larger national audience for The Seckatary
once again. Below is the announcement page of The University of Kentucky
which was first announced 3/19/16 at the Northern Kentucky University’s
History Day in Covington.
Club VP, Diane Schneider, has been working with organizations that
help preserve Kentucky authors' works, and arranged for the University of
Kentucky to take an interest in Seckatary books. Stoner’s Boy and
The Gray Ghost are two books the University of Kentucky will soon
promote and print in large quantities. Pre-orders for books are
available on Amazon.com now, for an October ship date. Search Amazon for
Seckatary Hawkins to see the books and kindle applications available. Here
is a link: http://www.amazon.com/Gray-Ghost-Seckatary-Hawkins-Mystery/dp/0813167949/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463110921&sr=1-1&keywords=seckatary+hawkins
These are the same 2 books Harper Lee loved
above all others as a child. You can read about Seckatary Hawkins in the
last pages of To Kill a Mockingbird.
 |
Along with publishing these two titles will also come national and
international PUBLICITY, PROMOTION, and DISTRIBUTION of these 2
books. The University will emphasize these books to teachers for
use as text books in grade school, middle school, and high school
English and literature classes - to be studied in conjunction with
"To Kill A Mockingbird." Books will also be sold in hard-cover
editions both to online stores (like Amazon), and to
brick-and-mortar bookstores (like Barnes & Noble). YES -- that
means these two books will be in DIGITAL DOWNLOAD format for the
first time for iPad and Kindle platforms to name a few. Thanks for
spreading the word. |
| Click on above to open
brochure |
|
Printed
Books
As of now, all the series stories that have been printed in book
form are as follows:
READ THE CONDENSED STORY SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY CLUB MEMBERS
Just click the book title below -
The Books: - This is truly Good-Clean-Fun you just can't put
down once you start reading. Easy-to-read, believable
adventures written for boys and girls in an easy style of
Kentucky riverbank language. These wholesome stories depict the
abilities of an average group of boys with an unofficial leader
- a fat boy who has strength of character and who tries to do
his best using good moral judgment. Written to help build
character in young readers, an incentive is gradually built
within a child reader to attempt what may otherwise appear
unattainable or too difficult. A sense of family pride and
honesty is ingrained and found to last a lifetime in many a Fair
and Square club member. Give one of these books to your child
and see what a great reaction they have. Or better yet - read
to your child one of these good books for a truly enjoyable
family experience like no other. Ask anyone who has done so and
you will be assured this is wholesome fun for kids of any age.
Original Books
THE ORIGINAL ELEVEN BOOKS PRINTED 1918 THROUGH 1932 WERE AS FOLLOWS:
CLICK
ON THE TITLES BELOW, OR THE BOOK REPORTS BUTTON AT TOP
FOR A GREAT BOOK REPORT SUMMARY OF THE STORY LINE. THESE BOOK
REPORTS WERE WRITTEN BY OUR CURRENT CLUB MEMBERS AND REALLY LET
YOU KNOW WHAT THE STORY IS ALL ABOUT.
 |
 |
1.
Stoner's Boy - "The Mystery of the Gray Ghost"
- Published by Robert F.
Schulkers - 1926. Navy Blue cloth binding with white
printing. Cream colored paper dustjacket with blue
lettering. Dedicated to "JBD - my valentine" (Mrs RFS).
Illustrations by Carll B.Williams. *Note – this was the
fourth book published due to the publisher's decision
that the Cuba story was the most appealing to readers.
But time proved them wrong and Stoners Boy was the more
famous one. The book most often quoted in the novel -
To Kill a Mockingbird" |
 |
1a. Second Publication by RFS -1948. Beige cloth binding
with a multi-colored dustcover. Marked 1926 copyright
with no indication of being a second printing. |
 |
 |
2.
Seckatary Hawkins in Cuba or The Mystery of
the Cazanova Treasure – Published
by Stewart Kidd Co., 1921. Yellow cloth binding with
gold leaf embossed lettering. Cream colored paper
dustjacket with brown lettering. First book published.
|
 |
 |
2a. Second edition - Seckatary Hawkins in Cuba
or The Mystery of the Cazanova Treasure -
Publisher - Appleton – 1925 Yellow-biege cloth binding
with “Robert F. Schulkers” embossed on lower front cover
in black letters. Dark Bluish green DJ with red
lettering. (There is no indication that this is a later
printing) |
 |
2b. Third edition - Seckatary Hawkins in Cuba –
Published by D. Appleton Co – 1925. Bright orange cloth
binding. No DJ. (There is no indication that this is a
later printing)
*NOTE – an additional printing with no Appleton book ads
in the back may be called 2bb. |
 |
 |
2c. Fourth edition - The Mystery of the Cazanova
Treasure – 1948. Beige cloth binding with line
drawings of boys on multi-colored dust-jacket. Marked
1921 copyright. Publisher - Robert F. Schulkers. (There
is no indication that this is a later printing)
Dedicated to "The Mother of Seckatary Hawkins - and to
the mothers of all boys and girls who like to read his
stories".
|
 |
 |
3.
The Red Runners - "The Mystery of the
Hypnotizing Eyes" pub. Stewart
Kidd Co - 1922. Dedicated to “My old teacher one fine
fella”. Biege cloth binding, black lettering. Dark
Spruce-Green DJ with cream lettering. “Which We Did” on
spine of DJ. |
 |
3a. Second edition, publisher - RFS – 1925 - bright
orange (marked copyright 1922). No DJ. |
 |
3b. Third edition, publisher - RFS – 1954 – beige cloth
binding (marked 1948 copyright). Mint-Green DJ with
Orange-red lettering. (There is no
indication that this is a later printing)
|
|
|
 |
4.
The Gray Ghost - "The Return of Stoner's Boy" - Published by Robert F.
Schulkers 1926. Navy Blue cloth binding with white
printing. Dedicated to "FLS - pal of my boyhood days" -
(His brother Franc) – Light Gray paper dustcover with
black lettering. Also quoted in the novel -
To Kill a Mockingbird"
|
 |
4a. Second edition pub. RFS – 1954 – biege cloth binding
– Ivory dustjacket with Green lettering. (There is no
indication that this is a later printing)
|
  |
5.
Stormie the Dog Stealer - "The Mystery of the
Baying Hounds" - Publisher –
D. Appleton Co - 1925 - Beige cloth binding, black
embossed lettering – Greenish / brown dust jacket with
cream lettering. The spine is a cream background with
black lettering. No dedication. |
|
|
 |
6.
Knights of the Square Table - "The Mystery of
the Lonely House" -
Published by Robert F. Schulkers 1926. Blue cloth
binding, pastel green colored paper dust jacket with
dark blue lettering. Dedicated to "Junior - who is
always fair and square". Illustrations by Carll B.
Williams. |
|
|
 |
7.
Ching Toy - "The Mystery of the Magic Triangle" - Published
by Robert F. Schulkers, 1926. Navy cloth binding, white
lettering. Dedicated to "To Ruth Darnell - Fair as a
Fairy". Illustrations by Carll B.Williams. Pink paper
dustjacket with maroon lettering. |
|
|
 |
8.
The Chinese Coin - "The Mystery of the Cave of
Wonders" -
Published by Robert F. Schulkers, 1926. Blue cloth
binding, white lettering. Medium pastel green paper
dustjacket with brown lettering. Dedicated to "Julia
Beatrice - a little flower girl". Illustrations by Carll
B.Williams. |
|
|
 |
9.
The Yellow Y - "The Mystery of the Boy With the
Longbow" - Published
by Robert F. Schulkers, 1926. Blue cloth binding, white
lettering. Bright pastel yellow paper dustjacket with
black lettering. Dedicated to "John Randolph - such a
little fellow, but he's Daddy's big boy". Illustrations
by Carll B.Williams. |
 |
10.
Herman the Fiddler or "The Mystery of the
Three-eyed Ape" - Published
by Robert F. Schulkers - 1930. No dedication; however,
he must have been thinking of his father and
grandfather: Henry Herman and Herman Henry Schulkers.
Joe Ebertz artwork. *note = An aftermarket pastel biege
DJ has been seen with blue letters, but not official.
|
 |
15.
The Ghost of Lake Tapaho - The Mystery of the Lake – 11th book was printed in 1932.
Published by Robert F. Schulkers - 1932. No dedication.
This is a red and white square checkerboard paperback by
Ralston-Purina, given away free with 2 cereal box tops
sent in by boys and girls who listened to the Chicago
NBC radio shows. |
Complete List of books printed by the club:
Here is the
total list of all Seckatary Hawkins Stories.
Do you have them all? Only sold to
Club Members. Join today!
1.
Stoner’s Boy or “The Mystery of the Gray Ghost”
2.
Seckatary Hawkins in Cuba or “The Cazanova Treasure”
3.
The Red Runners or “The Mystery of the Hypnotizing Eye”
4.
The Gray Ghost or “The Return of Stoner’s Boy”
5.
Stormie, the Dog Stealer or “Mystery of the Baying Hounds”
6.
Knights of the Square Table or “Mystery of the Lonely House”
7.
Ching Toy or “The Mystery of the Magic Triangle”
8.
The Chinese Coin or “The Mystery of the Cave of Wonders”
9.
The Yellow Y or “The Mystery of the Boy with the Longbow”
10.
Herman the Fiddler or “The Mystery of the Three-eyed Ape”
11.
The Red Castle or “Bones’ Great Club of the River”
12.
Mystery of the Stonewall House or “Dr. Drago and the Giant”
13.
Little Gil or “The Rabbit Mystery”
14.
The Lavender Light Mystery or “Stephan the Strange”
15.
The Ghost of Lake Tapaho or “The Mystery of the Lake”
16.
The Emperor’s Sword or “The Mystery of the Silent Watcher”
17.
Little Flower of the Sun or “Never Fail Friend”
18.
The Mystery of the Red Hand or “The New Lucky Coin”
19.
The Lacquer Fan or “The Sundial Mystery” or “Bob Longlegs”
20.
Gideon or “The Grotto of the Silent Pets”
21.
Stydle the Strong or “The Mystery of the Cave of Icicles”
22.
Trilogy I: The Stattenham Manor Mystery; The River Pirates; and The Green Light
Mystery
23.
Gander or “The Cave of the Eagle Owl”
24.
Trilogy II: The Dog Snatchers; The Dugout Trailer; and Jericho
25.
Hackbury or “The Mystery of the Underground Room”
26.
Trilogy III: The White Bat; The Backwater Pool; and The Nip and Tuck Gang and
Related Stories
27.
The Return of the Skinny Guy or “The Boy with the Eagle”
28.
Trilogy IV :The Gang of Usher or “The Far Away Voice”; and Related Stories.
29.
Stoner’s Boy UNABRIDGED - or “The Mystery of the Gray Ghost” – (with 11 missing
chapters)
30.
The Rejiment I 1918 Never in book form before!
31.
Rejiment II 1919 / 1920 –(The Rejiment serial stories ran in newspapers were not
books till now!)
32.
The Red Runners UNABRIDGED; Special Limited Edition, 2012
33.
Stormie The Dog Stealer
UNABRIDGED; Special Limited Edition, 2012
34.
The Gray Ghost
UNABRIDGED; Special Limited Edition, 2012
35.
Comics I – All the favorite stories in comic strips from newspapers in 2 big
coffee table books
36.
Comics II – About twice the size of regular books, 2012
37. Knights of the Square Table Unabridged
38. Ching Toy Unabridged
39. The Chinese Coin Unabridged
40. The Yellow Y Unabridged
41. Herman the Fiddler unabridged
42. Cuba unabridged -
43. Treasure in
the Tropics + Boathouse Boys - (1933).
44.
The Ghost of Lake Tapaho Unabridged
More in the works!
Warning!
*One word of warning: #3 -The
Red Runners, has never been officially printed in paperback, or
soft cover.
Many book dealers, online and
offline, are selling an unauthorized, paperback reprint of The
Red Runners, that is just a poor photocopy of a
well-worn original book. It's pages are poorly copied - often
darkened and hard to read - and is even missing pages, including
the ending of the story and last page. I have asked the
publisher to stop printing these, but he refused. So be
forewarned about these yellow cover paperbacks from any book
store. They are sometimes advertised as "official" Seckatary
Hawkins books; but they are not. There has never been an
official paperback of The Red Runners printed.
Testimonials
Unsolicited testimonials for these new books
In reflecting a little bit about why your Grandpa's stories
were special to me --- I think it's because his stories
always seemed so real and because I sensed that he
understood what was important in life and put that in his
stories. It was so different and real compared to the other
choices of the day --- and especially today. I suspect the
musings of Seckatary Hawkins came straight from your
Grandpa's heart. He had a way of getting those ideas across
without shoving it in the reader's face. The ideas came
from the Seckatary, and the reader could always take them or
leave them, but I always took them. He had great faith in
all people and believed that everyone had good in them, if
they were given the chance. He had a great faith in God yet
he was never preachy about it. The boys didn't have prayer
meetings all the time down in the clubhouse --- but the
reader always knew where they stood and that God always came
first --- well, maybe not in the Rejiment days, but a little
later :-)
DK; Loveland, OH
.... I know that many members have contributed above and
beyond their required amounts (for books) for the sake of
the club and the legacy of RFS. ... I personally have paid
MUCH more than what the club is asking for collectible books
and as a collector for over twenty years can only see these
books as a sound investment almost at any price.
TS, Fairfax, VT.
... many members are on fixed incomes or otherwise unable to
afford to pay more for these books. They are expensive. Once
we get them
we'll feel happy to have them with quality printing and nice
covers, which they certainly deserve, but
quality isn't cheap. I know the price is
fair
and square--I'm just acknowledging that it is a significant
amount for many of us to spend. However, by
comparison I paid $375.00 in
March for a signed, limited Jack Vance book and it
hasn't even been printed yet. They are fair and
square, too, but the major difference
between them and Randy is they expect a profit on their
books. Even at their price, I'll be happy
when the book arrives, I see how nice it is
and what a quality print job they did, and I'll be grateful
I got to own one. That's for ONE book--two
for $130.00 is a great price considering
the
quality and small print run.
CC, Cincinnati, OH
I also was
intrigued by those “Next Book in the Series” teasers and my
mother tried to find any beyond the four reprinted in the
50’s with no luck. In our case, the store that sold the Seck
reprints was Rikes in Dayton, OH. When I made a new friend
in the 8th grade we found a common interest in the wonderful
stories of the F&S Club and I asked if he had any more of
the books mentioned as “next”. .. Now, the recreation of the
original text in the [new book printings of the club]
limited editions has made it all new again and I feel like
that kid I was in the 8th grade having found a friend who
could loan me one of the “missing ones”. He may have had
more, likely from his father’s collection, but he moved away
before I had a chance to find out.
So, for me, it
was through Randy and F&S that I was finally able to acquire
and read Stormie. It took over 50 years but, my, was it
worth the wait! Thanks so much Randy.
Sincerely,
JH, Ridgeway, CO
Randy,
We all want to do our little bit to show appreciation for
all the hard work put into these wonderful books. Mine
arrived today and they are simply fabulous. I can't wait for
more!
YF&S
TS, Wilmington, MA
The books are beautiful!! thank you so
much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RB, Hamilton, OH
I just wanted to add my comments on these two new beautiful
books. Wow! These two books are thick and crammed with all
sorts of never before seen (by most club members, anyway)
illustrations. Plus George has added in lots of extras, like
the little heading illustrations from the original newspaper
columns and other illustrations from other Seck sources,
etc.
DK, Loveland, OH
My books came today as well. They look beautiful. It's
better than Christmas.
TK, Murietta, CA
Dear Randy:
I received the new books today and they look great. They
have joined the others on the shelf. Your Grandfather would
be very proud of you and what you and George have been able
to do to reprint so much of his life’s works. I think that
he would also be very pleased that there were still people
who really enjoyed what he had done in his life. There
aren’t very many of us who can say that.
Thanks again to both you and George for all of the hard work
and hours invested in this enterprise. I am already looking
forward to the next set of books. I have already sent you my
check.
Yours fair and square,
BZ, Laurel, MD
I don't think any of us can really capture in words the joy
of having these
wonderful new books in our hands or the magnitude of our
thanks to those who
worked so hard to get them there!
Can't wait to see the next two, but for now intend to enjoy
these two to the fullest.
Many, many thanks!
YF&S
DR, North Bend, OH
The books arrived today and they are beauties! Everything
you promised
and then some.
Thanks again and YF&S,
CC, Cincinnati, OH
I got my copy of "Stormie" from my uncle. Last year he
discovered that he [a serious illness], and decided to work
quickly to carry out a goal of his, to give a full set of
Seckatary Hawkins books to each of his sons, and to me, his
nephew. Many years ago, he had begun giving me some for
Christmas, each of them from the early original set. I also
have some of my dad's, but I did not have Stormie until my
uncle sent some books to me last year. This shipment even
included copies of all the club reprinted books from the
photocopy version of "Ghost of Lake Tapaho" to "Trilogy IV."
Of all these, I still did not get a Stormie, or a Knights of
the Square Table or Herman the Fiddler. I emailed him on
this, and he sent me a Stormie. I later got Knights and
Herman from online sellers. I have not read Stormie yet, I
am on "The Gray Ghost." I did not read the Seckatary books
that were given to me for Christmas all those years ago
right away as a kid. I only remembered them last August and
that's how I began reading them and what led to me joining
this online club. I do wish now that I had started reading
earlier, but I enjoyed getting to know Seckatary Hawkins as
an 18/19 year old just as much as I would have ten years
ago. According to the book spine, the publisher is Appleton.
It's also interesting to note that the "the next volume in
this series is entitled" does not appear at the end of
Stormie, for its sequel Knights of the Square Table. I would
like to get the reprinted copies of Stormie and Gray Ghost,
as long as I can get time to figure out where the money will
come from, as well as for the 2 comic books…
Yours fair and square, CH, Eau Claire, WI
… Just wanted to echo the sentiment of everyone else who has
gotten their new books. Mine arrived today and they are
simply stunning. Thanks sooooo much for all the effort and
hard work that went into them and RFS must be grinning ear
to ear from up above. Take care and I look forward to the
next two.
YF&S, TS, Fairfax, VT
"...Thanks for bringing back that great excitement that
helps kids become well-rounded adults too. Seckatary Hawkins
stories about the riverbank boys were more detailed and kept
the reader's interest much longer than other boys and girls
detective type stories written for youth. They were written
with an honest regard for the character building elements
effect on child readers. The genuine, believable natures of
the characters made them come alive for my grandparents who
happily shared that with my Dad and he with me; and is now
being discovered by my own children. Someday someone with
influence in Hollywood will "discover" these realistic and
wholesome tales of excitement and adventure and bring them
to the whole country. We need this type of positive
influence made readily available for our next generations,
to help get us back on the honorable track that built our
great country into what it was not so long ago."
DL - Frankfort, KY
Clubmembers!
Mine came today, and I can't tell you how beautiful they
are! Yet another quality job. I got so excited I forgot the
check to see if my dvd was in the box--which I'm sure it is.
I
haven't read those Regiment stories since I studied the
reverse image microfiche copies of the Enquirer in the
Cincinnati Public library back in the 70's. It will be
interesting to see what I still remember.
Thanks
again, Randy and George.
YF&S,
CC -
Cincinnati. OH
Dear Clubmembers,
I received my books today...I agree with Randy that these
books can become collector's items. Probably not so much as
the original 1926 editions, but at least they are likely to
double in value in a few years. Only fifteen years ago I
bought 1926 versions of Stoners Boy, Ching Toy and others
for $32.50 each from a used bookseller. He knew nothing
about the Seckatary Hawkins series. Now those days are long
past. As Randy said, you can check eBay and other places to
see their greatly increased value now.
I know most club members would not sell their prized
Seckatary Hawkins books for anything, but things change and
people pass on and relatives may not know their value. Put a
note in each of your books to let your heirs know their
worth to you and them...
LA- Houston, TX
The books and DVD arrived today, in perfect condition. I
have not had a chance to examine them thoroughly, of course,
but in leafing through them I see many wonderful
illustrations in Rejiment of the cave entrance, that looks
just like present day Clifton Cave, and of course all the
great new material in Stoner's Boy.
I feel like a kid in a candy shop. I don't know where to
start. I wanted to read the Rejiment stories first, but also
could not wait to check out Stoner's Boy, so I read the
first chapter of Stoner first. So different from the
original book! A little grittier, actually, which I think is
better. I couldn't stop, so read chapter 2 also. I am going
to have to summon some iron will and put Stoner's Boy down
and turn to the Rejiment book.
GB - Chesterfield, MO.
The new Seck books arrived here in Kalamazoo this morning
and as the title of the email states: "They are
Magnificent." Many thanks to you and your team for allowing
all the club members to have these wonderful additions. They
will be treasured in my family.
TS - Kalamazoo, MI
The 2 new books along with the DVD were just delivered. They
look wonderful. Now I don't know what to read next. Herman
The Fiddler Or one of the books received today. It is a nice
problem to have. Thanks to all those who helped in any way
to make these books possible.
JG - Cold Spring, KY
Hi Randy,
Just to
let you know, the books and video have safely arrived. I
opened the box here at work - couldn't wait until I got
home! They look fabulous....
Thanks
again!
YF&S
TS - Wilmington,
MA
I received the first book set today. They are just great. I
can’t wait to read the “rest of the story” and will be
cracking Stoner’s Boy today. My grandson will receive one of
the additional sets as his first “chapter” books. Stoner’s
Boy was my first “chapter” book back in 1953 when my mother
gave it to me for Christmas. What a great start that was.
JH - Ridgeway, CO
The new books and movie arrived today. Tremendous.
Absolutely tremendous. Thank you.
KF - Lexington, KY
Just wanted to let you know I received my books today.
They
look great as usual. Can't wait to dig in.
All the
best,
DR - North Bend, OH
I am thoroughly enjoying The Rejiment Stories. It's not what
I expected, half reading and half laughing. The stories are
hilarious-if your Grandpa was relying on memory, his Mother
sure had her hands full! Thank you for getting this book
into print. I think the spelling and grammar are a great
style for the stories, and not hard to get used to at all.
I'm so glad I don't have to wait a week between chapters.
Fran
P.S. I AM still trying to figure out what a "koko" is.
FN - Alexandria, KY
Thanks Randy,
I
received mine and they are grand!
In
looking over “Stoner’s Boy, I was thinking that your
Grandfather must have been disappointed to have the book, as
written, shortened from the original.
I am
sure he is looking down from heaven and is very pleased on
what he sees.
Great
job!
BB -
Frederick, MD
Mine came Friday also and I'm in California – hurrah for the
Post Office and Priority Mail!
The books, as always, look great and are a pleasure to have
– I'm torn as to which one to start on, but I think
it will be Rejiment…
Thanks again to everyone involved – these are real treasures
and worth far more than the cost. Yes, they are a bit more
expensive than your usual book, but they are exclusive and
limited. And I'm sure they will be worth more than we paid
quite soon! (Not that I would ever sell mine!!)
YF&S,
DC - San Carlos, CA
As a long time book collector and book seller, I have to
agree with Randy that these books being printed now will
very likely become the most sought after titles and so the
most expensive. This is because of simple supply and demand.
With print runs of 100 to 150 copies these books have far
fewer copies produced than any of the older titles. I have
heard figures of 750 to 800 copies as the print run for
“Stormie the Dog Stealer” but even if these figures are not
correct, I would think those numbers would be too low rather
than too high (so say perhaps 1000 to 1500 copies). The
other very expensive title “The Ghost of Lake Tapaho” was
probably produced in fairly large numbers (perhaps the
highest of any title) but as a paperback and as a give away
item the survival rate was probably very low. The paper
covers would not hold up well to the handling of the child
readers, and the fact that it did not cost anything would
make it easier to throw away when it became damaged. As for
the rest of the titles, it seems to me from buying and
selling these books for many years that the book with the
most printings “Seckatary Hawkins in Cuba” (or
Adventures in
Cuba, or The Cazanova Treasure) is by far the easiest to find and
usually the cheapest. This title has been through several
variations in its cover title during its several different
printings, and it even had one edition (or printing) that
credited Robert F. Schulkers as the author rather than
Seckatary Hawkins. I normally find that the titles that have
only had one printing are normally the harder titles to find
(Stormie, Tapaho, Yellow Y, Ching Toy, Knights of the Square
Table, Chinese Coin, Hermann the Fiddler). Again, this is
just simple supply and demand. We know the supply of these
new titles is the smallest, so if demand stays high so will
the value of the book, assuming that the book stays in
reasonably nice condition. Condition is the third factor in
setting the value of a book, and it is an important one.
Keep your books in good condition, and they will be worth
more in the future.
RB - Covington, KY
Thank you for your kind words, Randy. Greatly
appreciated.... I am very proud to be involved
in this project in my own limited way....
I cannot stress enough how important, I believe,
that this project is. This is more than merely
preserving history. The new books are
beautifully done, and thanks to you, George and
others, there are add'l chapters and
illustrations included in a number of them. And
look at
all the other stories that have re-surfaced for
all of us to enjoy!
But at the end of the day, the idea of this
project is not just to publish limited editions
of your grandfather's wonderful work for the
benefit of us club members. It is to give
present and future generations of boys and girls
of all ages the opportunity to read and
enjoy these great stories. And with all the hard
work that is being done to publish these new and
enhanced editions, I believe that these
new editions are probably more closely
reflective of your grandfather's original
vision.
This is truly a great opportunity for all of us
club members to participate in something
historically and culturally significant. Let's
keep the momentum going until the entire body of
work has been re-issued!!
YF&S
TS, Melrose, MA
|
The 4 "reprints" were handed down to me by a distant cousin
when I was around 10 yrs old. I was a huge Hardy Boys fan,
but these books had something different, something special.
Have always wanted to read more of the books, but life
somehow got in the way (that and the difficulty in getting
the other books. Looking forward to belonging to a club I
always wished I could have been a part of as a kid! Yours
Fair & Square
JM, Cincinnati, OH
I grew up in Mt Washington and Stanbury park was our closest
thing to Seck Hawkins. We formed a club and used to look for
excitement. Originally one of my sisters had a boyfriend and
he gave me five books. That is how I got into it all. I was
home sick one day and picked up the Red Runners. That was
all she wrote. I was hooked. Your grandfather is still in my
estimation great. There is no comparison. My favorite print
and chapter is "A Rainy Night in the Grey Ghost with
Androfski, Seck, Simon Bleaker and of course Stoners Boy.
What a chapter! I am glad the books did not die. How could
they? I am 73 and still a kid at heart.
JW, Menifee, CA
LATER:
I reread "Stoners Boy
unabridged", (and the new) "The Red Runners" and read for
the first time "The Regiment 1". The Regiment are stories
that are as alive today as they were in 1918.
I always felt that there was a
lack of coherency (in the original books) and by you adding
the extra pages into Stoner's Boy....... Wow! It turned into
a cohesive writing.
I can't imagine what will happen
when I read "Stormie The Dog Stealer"
(unabridged with all that
missing text added in).
Copyright © 1921.22.25.26.30.32.48.53
The original work, "The Snow
Fort" was the first Seck Hawkins story printed in the Cincinnati Enquirer Sunday
Magazine, February 3, 1918 in the
Little Corner for Little People page - titled "Johnny's Snow Fortress".
In 1922 it was reprinted in Volume 1, number 1 of the weekly Seckatary Hawkins magazine
serials published by Pogue's department stores. It was not titled The
Snow Fort, but simply "The First Hawkins Story".
