WILLIAM'S EPHEMERA PAGE

On this page you can find lots of items relating to William besides the books.

Before and just after the war after there wasn't the commercialisation regarding poular fictional charactors like there is today, so William material relating to this period is quite limited.

During this time there was a number of jigsaws ( of which you see one)and a toy theatre with a play script and cardboard figures. The Radio series of the 1940's produced some sheet music with pictures of William and his mother on the front.

Macdonald & Young published a play in three acts called Just William based on William by Richmal Crompton and written by Alick Hayes. Another play ( one act this time) was produced called William and the Artist Model. There was also a comedy in three acts written by Ireland Wood called "Charity Begins---" from a story by Richmal Crompton.

In the 1950's, 60's and 70's, there was considerably more, especially with William's appearances on the T.V. with quite a few spin offs.

Pepys, the card game manufacturers, produced a card game with illustrations by Thomas Henry, There was also a 3D board game, a Whirlo game, A William Wigwam, 4 jigsaws (based on the TV series), William Toffee's, four different William figurines, of which I have two. The other two were manufactured by Coleport. The first was called Just William and the other was called William the Gangster. There were also two magic painting books, and two 'dress up 'books, - one called Dress William & Ginger and the other Dress William and Violet Elizabeth.( not particularly popular - far too sissy' ish for William!!) I have also seen a small bucket - as in bucket and spade for the sea-side!!

William has also put in appearance on 'cigarette cards'.

In 1951 Junior Pastimes produced a set of cards called 'Star Pix'. One of the cards featured William Graham who played William in Just William's Luck

In 1953 ABC Cimemas (Minors) produced a set of cards called 'Scenes from the Films'.

One of the cards shows a scene from Just Williams Luck.

Macmillan, who were publishing the books at the time, ran a promotion in the 1980's, where you could join the 'Outlaws Club'. After joining, you were issued with a plastic wallet, notebook and a yellow badge. Later 'Outlaws' got a bit more - a larger wallet, notebook, a pencil, more 'blurb' and a red badge. talking of badges I have never seen an original badge from the William Fan Club from the 1940's? Have you?

The Just William Society has produced some items of their own including a Lledo model truck, various stickers, their own sweets, book-marks, a CD with an interview with Richmal Crompton & also an interview with Martin Jarvis and various radio plays.

In Richmal Crompton's Centenary year the Society produced a mug, sweets and stickers.

During Richmal Cromptons Centenary year Bury Council produced a booklet about her and a giveaway 'gonk'. Not to be outdone, during St Elphins centenary they produced one or two Crompton items themselves like bookmarks etc

Talking of book-marks, in the 1990's a firm of booksellers produced a set of book-marks using the front covers of the William books.

William hasn't got off scott free in regards to blatent copyright theft, with his image being used unofficially on paper bags, and his image being used to sell beer!!! Even financial institutions like Price Waterhouse have got in on the act ( not known if officially or unofficially!!)

On the subject of alchohol I have also seen a Thomas Henry illustration from a William book on a bottle of wine!

A William map has been produced which 'shows' the position of William house , the barn, his school - all based on the books. A bit tongue in cheek but great fun nevertheless.

In 1993, The Post Office brought out a set of childrens stamps, one of which featured William. A postcard was also produced in conjunction with them.

William has also been featured as a specialist subject on the Mastermind TV Quiz show, and on the programme Collectors Lot in 2000, with Sarah Green as the presenter.

On a more modern note the BBC produced an audio CD greetings card, with a picture of William on the front and a CD inside with extracts from a William story read by Martin Jarvis. I do not think this was ever issued, but as always would be glad of clarification.

Also on a more modern note , in 1996 Macmillan produced a calendar, which had a full page black & white illustration and a colour pictures of the fronts of some books, Happy Mags and the Tit-bits Summer Annual.

I understand there is an American Rock Group called Just William!! Mostly female, with a male drummer.Before you ask, NO I haven't heard them, but would jump at the chance, if somebody gave me a free airline ticket!!

On a personal note, and as a dyed in the wool, William 'purist', I suppose my most prized possessions are a quantity of metal printing blocks used for the illustrations in the original Newnes books and some proof copies of the books.