C.W. Anderson and the Billy and Blaze Books

We all read them.  Our home library was full of these magical books with the fabulous illustrations that we read over and over again, never tiring of the simplicity and the love between a boy and his horse.

This first in the series of eleven books, was started in 1936 by Clarence William Anderson or "CW" as he was known.   You can buy newer paperback versions of these books on Amazon.  But I prefer the old ones that you can find in antique stores, on Ebay, Etsy.  They reckon back to a simpler time, a simpler life.  These will never fade even though the pages and bindings may be worn with age.


A complete list of the books in the series and the publication dates is as follows:

• Billy and Blaze (1936)
• Blaze and the Gypsies (1937)
• Blaze and the Forest Fire (1938)
• Blaze Finds the Trail (1950)
• Blaze and Thunderbolt (1955)
• Blaze and the Mountain Lion (1959)
• Blaze and the Indian Cave (1964)
• Blaze and the Lost Quarry (1966)
• Blaze and the Gray Spotted Pony (1968)
• Blaze Shows the Way (1969)
• Blaze Finds Forgotten Roads (1970)

The books were fully illustrated by the author and you can find his illustrations today on the Internet.  I came across three of them last weekend at an antique show, all signed by the artist.

(Reproduction - from Etsy)

You can also find vintage books on Ebay and Etsy for a reasonable amount of money.

(Etsy)

(Etsy)

(Etsy)

(Etsy)

(Etsy)

(Etsy)

Sometimes vintage is best.