| Home | Books and Story Papers | Greyfriars Gallery | Television and Radio | Ephemera | Hamilton | Acknowledgements | Links |
Boys' Friend Library
The Boys' Friend
Library was published by the Amalgamated Press, being founded by WH ("Willy")
Back, in September 1906 and lasted until wartime paper shortages ended its run
in June 1940.
It was initially conceived as a vehicle for the
hugely popular Jack, Sam & Pete stories, written by S. Clarke Hook, with the
first two titles being dubbed the Jack, Sam & Pete Library. However, Back
quickly recognised that a wider range of authors would have a broader appeal,
and the Boys' Friend Library was born.
In all, there were 1,440 issues in 2 series. The
stories were largely reprints of stories that had appeared in the large stable
of Amalgamated Press storypapers, and included adventures, school stories,
sporting tales, historical fiction, crime and science fiction by many of the
most notable and famous authors of the day, including Leslie Charteris (creator
of the Saint), WE Johns (Biggles), Jules Verne, Charles Hamilton (of Billy
Bunter Fame), and many more
The stories were a perennial favourite with
schoolboys of all ages, being conveniently pocket-sized, with beautifully
illustrated covers.
From the table below click the blue link to display a page with more information on that particular issue and to display a scan of the front cover (if available).
A few issues have been scanned in their entirety and are indicated by a Purple link. Click on the Purple link to open up a scan of the complete issue.
This section is 'work in progress' if you can help with cover scans or more information on the publications then please contact me
| Publication Title | Issue | Title | Author | Subject | Original Publication | Notes/Publication Details | ||
| Jack, Sam & Pete | 1 | Sep | 1906 | Jack, Sam and Pete’s Adventures In Africa | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | Marvel | Marvel 1/532-533, 2/3, 16 |
| Jack, Sam & Pete | 2 | Sep | 1906 | Jack, Sam and Pete’s Treasure Hunt | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | Marvel | Marvel 1/385, 23 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 3 | Oct | 1906 | Jack, Sam and Pete In South America | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | Marvel | Marvel 1/389, 1901 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 4 | Oct | 1906 | Birds of Prey | Scott, Maxwell | Nelson Lee | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/1-26, 1901 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 5 | Nov | 1906 | The Boys of St. Basil’s | St. John, Henry | St. Basil’s | Boys' Friend | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 6 | Nov | 1906 | Pete’s Boyhood | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | Original Story | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 7 | Dec | 1906 | Shunned by the School | St. John, Henry | Boys' Friend | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 8 | Dec | 1906 | The Road To Fame | Edwards, Hamilton | Boys' Friend | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 9 | Jan | 1907 | Pete At Eighteen | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 10 | Jan | 1907 | Sexton Blake’s Honour | Anon. Goddard, Norman | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 11 | Feb | 1907 | The Pride of the School | St. John, Henry | Boys' Friend | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 12 | Feb | 1907 | Guy Prescot’s Trust | Gower, Craven | Boys' Friend | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 13 | Mar | 1907 | Only A Pit Boy | Edwards, Hamilton | Boys' Friend | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 14 | Mar | 1907 | Carrington’s Last Chance | St. John, Henry | Greyminster | Marvel | Marvel 2/67-118, 1905-06 (Cricketer and Captain) |
| Boys' Friend Library | 15 | Apr | 1907 | The Drudge of Draycott School | Anon. Johnson, Henry T. | Boys' Friend | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 16 | Apr | 1907 | The Silver Dwarf | Scott, Maxwell | Nelson Lee | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/26-41, 9 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 17 | May | 1907 | The Missing Heir | Scott, Maxwell | Nelson Lee | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/42-61, 29 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 18 | May | 1907 | Pete In Canada | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | Original Story | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 19 | Jun | 1907 | Nelson Lee’s Pupil | Scott, Maxwell | Nelson Lee | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 2-26, 8 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 20 | Jun | 1907 | Three British Boys | Merriman, Maurice | Grey Towers College | Marvel | Marvel 2/14-67, 1904-05 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 21 | Jul | 1907 | Pete’s Holiday | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 22 | Jul | 1907 | Sporting Life | Hardy, Arthur S. | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 23 | Aug | 1907 | Pete’s Schooldays | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 24 | Aug | 1907 | The Great Unknown | Scott, Maxwell | Nelson Lee | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/157-189, 11 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 25 | Sep | 1907 | The Stolen Submarine | Scott, Maxwell | Nelson Lee | Boys' Friend | Boys Friend 2/157-189, 11 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 26 | Sep | 1907 | Pete, Detective | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 27 | Oct | 1907 | The Woolwich Arsenal Mystery | Anon. Gannon, E. J. | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 28 | Oct | 1907 | Circus Ned | St. John, Henry | Boys' Herald | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 29 | Oct | 1907 | Playing To Win | Hardy, Arthur S. | Boys' Realm | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 30 | Nov | 1907 | Tom Merry & Co. | [Charles Hamilton] Martin Clifford | St. Jim’s | Reprinted Gem 2/72 & 73 [1909], and 2/1315 &1316 [1933] | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 31 | Nov | 1907 | The Rival Forts | Graydon, W. Murray | Colin Balfour | Boys' Friend | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 32 | Nov | 1907 | The Wolves of the Deep | Drew, Sydney | Ferrers Lord | Boys' Friend | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 33 | Dec | 1907 | Lion Against Bear | Drew, Sydney | Ferrers Lord | Boys' Friend | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 34 | Dec | 1907 | Nelson Lee’s Rival | Scott, Maxwell | Nelson Lee | Boys' Realm | 1902-6 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 35 | Dec | 1907 | Pete’s Christmas | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 36 | Jan | 1908 | Football Fortune | Hamilton, Charles | Blackdale School | Boys' Realm | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 37 | Jan | 1908 | Man To Man | Goodwin, David | Boys' Friend | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 38 | Jan | 1908 | Tom Merry’s Conquest | [Charles Hamilton] Martin Clifford | St. Jim’s | Reprinted Gem 2/167 & 168 [1911], and 2/1359 &1360 [1934] | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 39 | Feb | 1908 | Sexton Blake In Siberia | Anon. Graydon, W. Murray | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 40 | Feb | 1908 | The Fourth Form At Greyminster | St. John, Henry | Greyminster | Marvel | Marvel 2/117-193, 1906-07 contined in 1/41 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 41 | Feb | 1908 | Chums of Greyminster | St. John, Henry | Greyminster | Marvel | Marvel 2/117-193, 1906-07 (The Fourth Form at Greyminster) continued from 1/40 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 42 | Feb | 1908 | The Iron Way | Wray, Reginald | Boys' Realm | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 43 | Mar | 1908 | Brooks of Ravenscar | Storm, Michael | Ravenscar | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 44 | Mar | 1908 | Ned Kelly. A tale of trooper and bushranger | Hayter, Cecil | Ned Kelly | Union Jack | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 45 | Mar | 1908 | Trooper and Bushranger, or The Last Days of Ned Kelly | Hayter, Cecil | Ned Kelly | Union Jack | Union Jack 2/106-126, 21 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 46 | Mar | 1908 | The Rivals of St. Kits | Hamilton, Charles | St. Kits | Pluck | Pluck 2/116-164, 1907 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 47 | Apr | 1908 | Gilbert Nameless | Pike, Morton | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/98-124, 1903 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 48 | Apr | 1908 | Black England | Blair, Allan | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 161-177, 1906 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 49 | Apr | 1908 | The Sleepwalker | Anon. Gannon, E. J. | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 50 | Apr | 1908 | The Boys of Barrowby | Drew, Sydney | Ching Lung | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/96-142, 1903 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 51 | May | 1908 | Expelled From His School | Mansford, C. J. | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 1/178-195, 1898 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 52 | May | 1908 | Strongbold The Gladiator | St. John, Henry | Jester | Jester 142-159, 1904 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 53 | May | 1908 | Chums of Wycliffe | North, Jack | Wycliffe | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 54 | May | 1908 | Tiller and Tideway | Anon. Alais, Ernest W. | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 55 | Jun | 1908 | Bob Redding’s Schooldays | St. John, Henry | St. Basil’s | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 1/279-300, 2 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 56 | Jun | 1908 | The King of Scouts | Graydon, Murray | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/124-139, 1904-05 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 57 | Jul | 1908 | Sexton Blake - Clerk | Anon. Gannon, E. J. | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 58 | Jul | 1908 | Bob Redding Afloat | St. John, Henry | St. Basil’s | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 1/313-324, 2/1-?, 1901 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 59 | Aug | 1908 | Seventh House at St. Basil’s | St. John, Henry | St. Basil’s | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 1-19, 1 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 60 | Aug | 1908 | Wings of Gold | Drew, Sydney | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 1-23, 1 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 61 | Sep | 1908 | The New Master | St. John, Henry | St. Basil’s | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 20-42, 11 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 62 | Sep | 1908 | The Football Detective | Scott, Maxwell | Nelson Lee | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 118-138, 21 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 63 | Oct | 1908 | Clive Hardacre’s Schooldays | St. John, Henry | Castle Gaunt | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 1/125-149, 1897 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 64 | Oct | 1908 | The Unknown Sea | Hayter, Cecil | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/204-219, 1906 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 65 | Nov | 1908 | Viscount Dick’s Schooldays | Mansford, Charles J. | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 1/109-125, 1897 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 66 | Nov | 1908 | Harry Brandon - Actor | Daunt, Atherley | Harry Brandon | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/273-298, 1 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 67 | Dec | 1908 | The Secret of St. Winifred’s | [Charles Hamilton] Martin Clifford | St. Winifred’s | Pluck | Pluck 2/163-201, 1907-08 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 68 | Dec | 1908 | Sexton Blake’s Trust | Anon. Gannon, E. J. | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 69 | Dec | 1908 | A Lancashire Lad | Goodwin, David | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/103-125, 1904 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 70 | Jan | 1909 | The Captain of Abbotscrag | Anon. Sempill, Ernest | Abbotscrag | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 71 | Jan | 1909 | The Boy Barge-Owners | Goodwin, David | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/105-125, 1903 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 72 | Jan | 1909 | The Coster King | Anon. Alais, Ernest W. | Sexton Blake | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 212-232, 10 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 73 | Feb | 1909 | Larry and Co. | North, Jack | Wycliffe | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 74 | Feb | 1909 | The Airship’s Quest | Beeston, L. J. | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/235-250, 1906-07 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 75 | Feb | 1909 | The Terror of the Remove | Goodwin, David | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 215-243, 1907 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 76 | Mar | 1909 | Pete, Moneylender | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 77 | Mar | 1909 | With Pick and Lamp | Goodwin, David | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/249-275, 1907 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 78 | Mar | 1909 | Pluck Will Tell | Blair, Allan | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/18-35, 1901-02 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 79 | Apr | 1909 | Pete’s Strange Expedition | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 80 | Apr | 1909 | The School in the Backwoods | Blair, Allan | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/78-91, 1903-04 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 81 | Apr | 1909 | Gordon Fox, Detective | Graydon, Murray | Gordon Fox | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 49-65, 1904 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 82 | May | 1909 | The Runaway | North, Jack | Wycliffe | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 83 | May | 1909 | The Quest of the Ruby Scarab | Hayter, Cecil | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/164-185, 1905 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 84 | May | 1909 | Britain In Arms | Edwards, Hamilton | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 1/113-149, 23 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 85 | Jun | 1909 | Barred By The School | Shaw, Martin | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/208-222, 1906 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 86 | Jun | 1909 | Gunfleet Jim | Goodwin, David | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/56-77, 1903 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 87 | Jun | 1909 | Harry The Horseman | St. John, Henry | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/16-29, 1902 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 88 | Jul | 1909 | The Mammoth Hunters | Anon. Hayter, Cecil | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 89 | Jul | 1909 | Rajah Dick | Goodwin, David | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 19-38, 5 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 90 | Jul | 1909 | The War Lord | Coles, Detective Insp. | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 91 | Aug | 1909 | Jack o’ the Fenns | Goodwin, David | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/79-99, 1903-04 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 92 | Aug | 1909 | The Call of the South | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 93 | Aug | 1909 | The Muff of Melthorpe College | Blair, Allan | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/1-21, 1902 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 94 | Sep | 1909 | The House of Garth | Tregellis, John | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/179-196, 1905-06 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 95 | Sep | 1909 | Mutiny! | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 96 | Sep | 1909 | The Mervyn Mystery | Anon. Sempill, Ernest | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 97 | Oct | 1909 | The Rope of Rubies | Storm, Michael | Ravenscar | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 98 | Oct | 1909 | Barred! | Goodwin, David | St. Simeon’s | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/131-152, 1904-05 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 99 | Oct | 1909 | Football Foes | Hardy, Arthur S. | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 67-76, 1904 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 100 | Nov | 1909 | Pete’s Great Plot | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 101 | Nov | 1909 | The Secret of the Thames | Tregellis, John | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 100-117, 1905 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 102 | Nov | 1909 | Sexton Blake At School | Anon. Hayter, Cecil | Sexton Blake | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 238-262, 8 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 103 | Dec | 1909 | Company Promoter | Darran, Mark | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 104 | Dec | 1909 | On Turpin’s Highway | Goodwin, David | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 63-79, 1904 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 105 | Dec | 1909 | Sexton Blake of the Sixth | Anon. Hayter, Cecil | Sexton Blake | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 263-278, 1 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 106 | Jan | 1910 | The Black Mask | Goodwin, David | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 79-95, 1905 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 107 | Jan | 1910 | Sexton Blake At Oxford | Hayter, Cecil | Sexton Blake | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 279-298, 21 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 108 | Jan | 1910 | Yellow Peril | Kingston, Brian | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 109 | Feb | 1910 | Dan The Boxer | Hook, S. Clarke | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 110 | Feb | 1910 | Dave The Bargeboy | Goodwin, David | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/196-217, 1906 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 111 | Feb | 1910 | A Pit Hero | Hamilton, Max | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 23-38, 1904 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 112 | Mar | 1910 | The Boy Editor | Barnard, Alfred | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 113 | Mar | 1910 | Sahib and Sepoy | Armitage, Alfred | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 114 | Mar | 1910 | The War of the Mills | Goodwin, David | Boys' Herald | Boys’ Herald 275-288, 24 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 115 | Apr | 1910 | Guy of the Greenwood | Pike, Morton | Robin Hood | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/154-182, 1904 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 116 | Apr | 1910 | The Strolling Players | Burrage, Harcourt | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 117 | Apr | 1910 | Britain Invaded | Tregellis, John | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/259-284, 26 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 118 | May | 1910 | Britain At Bay | Tregellis, John | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/285-327, 24 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 119 | May | 1910 | The Prize Fighter | Hook, S. Clarke | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 120 | May | 1910 | In Wildest Africa | Graydon, W. Murray | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/412-426, 1 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 121 | Jun | 1910 | Britain’s Revenge | Tregellis, John | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/327-357, 1907-08 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 122 | Jun | 1910 | Pete’s School | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 123 | Jun | 1910 | Sexton Blake in the Congo | Anon. Graydon, W. Murray | Sexton Blake | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/294-315, 26 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 124 | Jul | 1910 | Across The Equator | Anon. Graydon, W. Murray | Sexton Blake | Boys' Friend | Boys’ Friend 2/316-330, 29 |
| Boys' Friend Library | 125 | Jul | 1910 | Forester From St. Osyths | Goodwin, David | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/153-168, 1905 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 126 | Jul | 1910 | Doctor Pete | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 127 | Aug | 1910 | Pete’s Pupils | Hook, S. Clarke | Jack, Sam & Pete | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 128 | Aug | 1910 | Champion of the World | Cannon, J. R. | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 129 | Aug | 1910 | A Legacy In Peril; or, A Boy’s Queer Quest | Graydon, Murray | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 130 | Sep | 1910 | The New Junior | Hook, S. Clarke | |||
| Boys' Friend Library | 131 | Sep | 1910 | Detectives, Limited | Anon. Goddard, Norman | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 132 | Sep | 1910 | Well Cleared | Scott, Maxwell | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/339-354, 1908-09 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 133 | Oct | 1910 | The Pride of the Team | Scott, Maxwell | Boys' Realm | Boys’ Realm 1/339-354, 1909 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 134 | Oct | 1910 | The Mill Master’s Secret | Anon. Jones, J. G. | Sexton Blake | ||
| Boys' Friend Library | 135 | Oct | 1910 | The Mystery Man | Miller, Lawrence | Empire Library | Empire Library 1/1-17, 19 | |
| Boys' Friend Library | 136 | Nov | 1910 | The Dividing Line |