The Big Little Books (later Better Little Books) is a story book series published by Whitman Publishing Company in Racine, Wisconsin, USA. The series of small compact hardcover story books featured a variety of characters, with the Phantom featured in 6 editions, released between 1936 and 1942.
These distinctive publications measured 3⅝ inches wide, 4½ inches high, and approximately 1½ inches thick, containing from 212 to 432 pages per edition. The books featured a unique format of full-page black and white illustrations alternating with text pages, appealing to young readers and later becoming collectibles.
Each edition contains a unique four digit series number, with the Phantom featured in edition numbers 1100, 1416, 1421, 1468, 1474 and 1489. These edition number can be seen on the lower part of the books spine.
The 6 editions to feature the Phantom can be seen below in order of year of release.
Edition Number 1100 The Phantom – 1936
Hardcover book containing 428 black and white pages featuring the Phantom story ‘The Singh Brotherhood’ written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Ray Moore.
Edition Number 1474 The Phantom And The Sign Of The Skull – 1939
Hardcover book containing 430 black and white pages featuring the Phantom story ‘War in the Jungle’ written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Ray Moore.
Edition Number 1421 The Phantom And Desert Justice – 1941
Hardcover book containing 430 black and white pages featuring the Phantom story ‘The Slave Traders’ written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Ray Moore.
The book also contains a ‘flip-it’ feature (The Phantom mysteriously appears and takes a walk).
Edition Number 1489 The Return Of The Phantom – 1942
Hardcover book containing 430 black and white pages featuring the Phantom story ‘Fishers of Pearls’ written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Ray Moore.
The book also contains a ‘flip-it’ feature (The Phantom fights and overpowers a criminal).
Edition Number 1468 The Phantom And The Sky Pirates – 1945
Hardcover book containing 350 black and white pages featuring the Phantom story ‘The Sky Band’ written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Ray Moore.
Edition Number 1416 The Phantom And The Girl Of Mystery – 1947
Hardcover book containing 350 black and white pages featuring the Phantom story ‘The Mysterious Girl’ written by Lee Falk and illustrated by Ray Moore.
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