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Officially termed Observers Pocket Series - they did, and still do, fit easily into one's pockets 97 different titles have appeared since the very first (British Birds) went on sale in 1937. These small, attractive books offer any collector a lifetime of pleasure, whether simply for reading, collecting one of every title, every edition of a particular title, or every edition of every title. In the latter case even these small books would occupy quite an area, with a total of more than 800 variations. Should you have an interest in aviation, Aircraft would be the title to collect, with 40 different editions. Although this title appeared in 1949, it grew from 'Airplanes', published in 1942 as a spotter's guide for civil defence in Britain. This is what Observers Books quickly became: spotter's guides, able to be carried around easily and unobtrusively in ones pockets, rucksack. etc. Up until recently a number of titles were still published. All titles were given a number which appeared on the base of the spine. Observers Books, or OPS books are they're generally known, have spanned three or more generations. As well as the 97 British titles, 8 Australian titles were published in the late 1970s and early 1980s, all with laminated hardcovers (A2.Birds was also published in softcover.) The numbers on the spine, 1-8, are prefixed with an A. The titles: Al. Snakes & Lizards, A2. Birds, A3. Steam Locomotives, A4. Civil Aircraft, A5. Sailing Craft, A6. Rocks & Minerals, A7. National Parks and A8. Wildflowers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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