Agatha Christie's Fontana Paperbacks - Part 7: 1969-1970.

This article continues my series on Fontana paperbacks published in the 1950s, 60s and 70s - in my opinion the golden age of Agatha Christie paperbacks. In prior articles I've reviewed all the Fontana paperbacks created from 1953 through to 1968, which since 1963 include covers by Tom Adams, amongst others. In addition to providing images that are just to browse, these articles are designed to provide fans and readers a definitive guide to assist with building a collection of Fontana paperbacks. All articles also provide related insights and collecting tips. To read any of the prior articles see the links at the foot of the page.

Part 7: 1969-1970.

In 1969 Fontana published nine Christie paperbacks, either for the first time or with a new cover design. In 1970, a further eight were published. The covers from these years were all by Tom Adams or Ian Robertson when published for the UK market. However, a few 'Continental' editions were published during these years which featured a very different look.

The Continental Editions: At the tail end of Agatha Christie’s career her last eleven books (novels and short-story collections) were first published in paperback by Fontana as ‘Continental Editions’ before Fontana published them for the UK market. These were books published primarily for the European market, though still in English. Printing occurred both in the UK and Canada. All of them state "Continental Edition", or in the case of one "Special European Edition", on their copyright page. I am including these books in my series on Fontana paperbacks to help raise awareness of them, especially for those who like to collect more unique items or true first paperback printings.

The UK Editions: The design style by Fontana was mostly consistent across both years making books from this period easy to quickly identify. However, there are some subtle nuances to know about that will help you in quickly identifying rarer printings. In all but one book (Endless Night) from 1969-1970, there is a top white bar with Agatha Christie's name in capitals across it. Second, below her name and a black line is the title, in both upper and lower case letters. Unlike prior years, there is now a Fontana logo present in this section, to the right of the title. There is no longer a white bar across the bottom of the front panel.

UK Pricing: The first four UK Fontanas from 1969 have a price of 3/6 and the series number printed atop the artwork in the bottom right hand corner. The presence of this pricing denotes the correct first state of this cover. Later reprints of these covers will be mostly be priced on the rear panel. The only exception is The Mystery of the Blue Train which I discuss in its listing below. After this books are priced 4/- (20p) are preparations for decimalisation of the currency are appearing. Aligning with the pricing change is a shift to series numbers being in the 2000s and ownards.

1969 Printings.

1899: Three Act Tragedy. This new version was published in March, 1969, this is the 4th Fontana impression of this title, but the first to feature the new cover art by Tom Adams.

1923: Death in the Clouds. This new version was published in June, 1969, this is the 5th Fontana impression. It is the first appearance of an iconic Tom Adams cover that was even featured in a Dr. Who episode.

1972: Endless Night. This is the 1st Continental Edition and the true first paperback of this title. Likely published in June (given its series number) and since the 2nd Continental edition was published in July.  The artist is uncredited.

1976: The Pale Horse. This new version was published circa July, this new art first appeared on the 6th impression. While Tom Adams created the first Fontana edition (1964, series no. 1000), this replacement design was by Ian Robertson. It clearly turned out to be a cover that sold well as it was frequently reprinted.

1983: The Mystery of the Blue Train. This new version was published circa July. The new artwork is by Ian Robertson and first appears on this, the 10th impression. It is correctly priced 3/6 price on the front cover as were the prior three UK Fontanas. However, later in 1969, the 11th impression has the 3/6 price covered with a black square with 4/- (20p) in white font inside it. Later printings left the black square on the cover, but now all pricing was solely on the rear panel. This was the last of the 3/6 books.

2060: The Murder at the Vicarage. This new series number, with older artwork, for this title was first published in August 1969 and is the 5th Fontana impression. With Tom Adams' older cover, this printing was the first Fontana to be initially priced at 4/- with (20p) in parenthesis on the front cover. While the earlier 4th impression of this title did change the cover design to have white text blocks at the top and bottom of the front panel, the series number had not changed from 839.

2085: A Murder is Announced. This new version was first published in October 1969. It is the 7th Fontana impression, but the first with this new design by Ian Robertson.

2136: Third Girl. This cover design first appeared in 1968, as series number 1759, but with the error in the title as it was published as 'The Third Girl'. This newly numbered edition corrected the title error, but maintained Tom Adams artwork. As such, it was published in August 1969 making this the 2nd Fontana impression despite some books having a sticker on them saying 'first time in paperback'.

2143: After the Funeral. This new cover design was first published in November 1969, and is the 8th Fontana impression. The artist is Tom Adams.

1970 Printings.

2260: The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding. While this is stated as the 2nd Fontana printing of this title, the original No. 896 from 1963 does appear to have been reprinted in both 1964 and 1965 (with white stripe titles), so the impression reference for this book is certainly wrong. Regardless, this is the first with the new Tom Adams cover art. Note that the long book title pushed the Fontana logo to the top line. The first printing of this title as No. 2260 appears surprisingly hard to find. Potentially it was a smaller initial print run as many short-story collections were.

2268: By the Pricking of my Thumbs. Shown above, this is the 1st Continental Edition published by Fontana. It is the first global paperback edition. The cover art is stylistically similar to many of the other Continental editions.

2279: Taken at the Flood. Published in March 1970, this is the 3rd Fontana impression of this title, now sporting a new design by Tom Adams.

2305: Dead Man’s Folly. Published in June, 1970 this is the 2nd Fontana impression of this title. It is the first appearance of this new Tom Adams cover.

2370: Halloween Party. This Fontana Continental edition is the first global paperback of this title. Again, a similar design aesthetic to the two prior Continental editions but with no artist credit noted.

2376: Endless Night. Likely published in August, this is the 1st UK Fontana printing of this title. While the cover states 'First time in paperback', as shown above, series no. 1972 was actually the true first paperback. Also of note, the rear cover features a photograph of Agatha Christie in celebration of her 80th birthday - making this a fairly unique paperback.

2411: The A.B.C. Murders. Published in October 1970, this is the 5th Fontana impression of this title. It is the first appearance of this Tom Adams cover.

2450: Ordeal by Innocence. Published in November 1970, this is the 8th Fontana impression of this title, but now featuring a new Tom Adams cover.

Corrections Welcome:

As always, if you have any additions, corrections or comments, please email me at collectchristie@gmail.com . Reader input helps make these articles more interesting.

Related Paperback Articles:

If you haven't yet viewed my new index of all the articles I've written about paperbacks, it can be accessed from the home page of my website or via this link.

For all the prior Fontana articles, while they are in the Index above, direct links are below.

Part 1: 1953 to 1957 and the first 15 Christie titles Fontana published (link).

Part 2: 1958 to 1960 and the next 21 covers created during those years (link).

Part 3: 1961 to 1963 (partial) and the 23 covers created prior to Tom Adams (link).

Part 4: 1963 (partial) to 1964 & the 21 books published, many now with Adams covers (link).

Part 5: 1965 to 1966 and the 22 books published in those years (link).

Part 6: 1967 to 1968 and the 19 books published in those years (link).

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