Five issues of 'The Childerley Times', illustrated juvenile manuscript magazine edited by Denis Wingfield King of Epsom, with manuscript 'Childerley Chatter' by members of the King family, and two Typed Letters Signed from King to his grandmother.

Author: 
Denis Wingfield King (b.1922) of Childerley, 8 Ridgeway, Epsom, juvenile editor of 'The Childerley Times' manuscript magazine
Publication details: 
Childerley, 8 Ridgeway, Epsom. Between 1935 and 1943.
£500.00
SKU: 12983

The eight items all in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Each copy of 'The Childerley Times' is a unique manuscript or typescript item produced by the young D. W. King as editor, his twin sister E. W. King as sub-editor, and relatives for circulation among the family. The five issues, ranging from 1935 to 1943, all differ with regard to style and format. ONE: 19pp., 12mo. On loose leaves held together with a paper clip. Undated, but with one contribution dated 14 May 1934. No title, but first page (with pencil drawing of boy in bed with toys) reading 'SILENCE PLEASE !! | Portrait of our Editor. - Coping with the famous "Childerley Times." | Ably assisted by a competent (?) staff. | Contributions to our own paper are earnestly requested by our devoted Editor who has been laid up (as above!) and has been therefore temporarily deprived of opportunities of collecting his usual inimtable "copy." Illustrations, captions, jokes and a short story ('From the Dug-out'), with contribution by 'J. Grunts', B. King, E. W. King, Peter King. TWO: 'Childerley Times. | 20/iv/35. | No 3 of a new series. | Price 2d | "Only the jolly can buy this paper." | Edited by D.W King | Aided by J: Grunts | and P. King | and his able office staff.' 12pp., 16mo. On loose pieces of ruled paper, attached with a clip. Jokes, news, puzzles and a story. THREE: 'The "Childerley" Times | Summer Number | "Bumper Number."' Stamped with date 30 July 1938. 29pp., 12mo. On loose leaves held together with clip. In red and black, with some typewritten pages. Illustrations, puzzles, jokes, short stories. In a signed typed introduction, King apologies that 'we have not been able to produce a Childerley Times for a very long time. We shall be doing these at longer intervals than we used to, owing to the fact that the Editor is at present engaged in other valuable public work.' FOUR: 'The "CHILDERLEY TIMES" SPORT Supplement 12th. August 1938. Issued Free to readers of The "Childerley Times". and their friends. Editor: D. W. King. Sub-Editor: E. M. W. King.' 6pp., 12mo. Text typed in red and black, with illustrations in pencil. Reports on darts ('the chief occupation of the household during the last week or so'), bezique, 'stop' and shooting. FIVE: 'The Childerley Times. Grand Irish Number.' 38pp., 12mo. On loose leaves attached with clip, inside covers with title and illustration. The first item, signed 'M. M.', dated from 'Etching Hill Lodge, Rugeley, Staffs, 25 February 1943' is 'a short Foreword' by King's grandmother: 'I have had intimate knowledge of Editor & Sub Editor for the whole of their lives [...] On the 23rd of Sepr. 1922 a lovely couple of little people descended to an expectant and delighted Father & Mother & grandparents [...] School days came all too soon Then as time went on, the idea of a Magazine to record the many activities of my young friends. Through many years the Childerley Times appeared and was the source of great pleasure to Staff & Readers. Then once again the Horrors of War burst upon us in the most Horrible War the world has ever seen. [...] The Editor as soon as old enough joined the R.A.F. And the Sub Editor joined the W.A.A.F.s. [...] All friends were deeply sorry to hear of the Editors accident & greatly rejoice at his recover.' Drawings, jokes, stories, including 'Associations with the W.A.A.F.' SIX: 'Childerley Chatter'. 32pp., 16mo. On loose leaves of ruled paper, attached with a bulldog clip. Stories, jokes, crossword puzzles and other contributions in various hands, with one item dated to April 1935 and another to April 1936. SEVEN and EIGHT. Two Typed Letters Signed from 'Denis' to 'Dear Granny'. 22 and 26 May 1936. The first 1p., 4to, and the second 2pp., 4to. Giving family news (pet puppies, mother's cake baking, school examinations). In the first he states that 'Mummy has just informed me that there is a job awaiting me in the greenhouse this morning. A mass attack of black greenfly on the Chrysanthemums must be repelled instanta'; in the second that 'Mummy says she might take me up to the Derby on Wednesday'.