Thursday 8 December 2016

Pelican Books: A Flock of Non-Fiction

The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism, Capitalism, Sovietism & Fascism in two volumes by George Bernard Shaw
The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism, Capitalism, Sovietism & Fascism
in two volumes by George Bernard Shaw
It’s clear that when it comes to publishing, Penguin Books have the right idea and are on top of their game. Just check out their famously beloved vintage paperback covers, their fantastic series like the Great Food Series, or their brilliant designers like Coralie Bickford-Smith. Penguin always seems to keep the publishing world on its toes, bringing out more beautiful and unique books all the time. From the very beginning, when they set out to make books affordable and attractive, Penguin's finger has been on the pulse of the reader.

Pelican Books (not to be confused with the Pelican Publishing Company) is the non-fiction imprint of Penguin Books. While the Penguin umbrella may be best-known for fiction and for keen design, the Pelican imprint was brought about with an eye on education over entertainment.  The move toward academia and the creation of the Pelican imprint along with it occurred in May 1937, two years after Penguin's founding.

The first title published under the Pelican name was George Bernard Shaw’s The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to Socialism, Capitalism, Sovietism & Fascism, in two volumes. It had originally been published in 1928 by Constable & Co. in New York, but was put out as a Pelican paperback in 1937.  The early Pelican editions were highly recognisable and aligned with the now iconic vintage Penguin paperback design.

There were thousands of titles published under the Pelican name over nearly 50 years. The series tackled everything from political uprisings and scientific exploration to religion across the globe and sociological practices and taboos. After a slow decline, Penguin eventually discontinued the imprint in the late 80s. Then on May 1st, 2014 Pelican books took flight for a second time with the release of five new titles. Still minimalist blue and boasting the Pelican logo, the new series is sure to satisfy today's collectors and Penguin aficionados.
Explore countless Pelican titles, old and new, written by experts on everything from architecture to gardening, politics to literature, mathematics to astronomy, and beyond.

Vintage Pelicans

Practical Economics (1937) by G.D.H. Cole
Practical Economics(1937)
by G.D.H. Cole
The Limitations of Science (1938) by J.W.N. Sullivan
The Limitations of Science (1938)
by J.W.N. Sullivan
Film (1944) by Roger Manvell
Film (1944)
by Roger Manvell
Common Wild Flowers (1945) by John Hutchinson
Common Wild Flowers (1945)
by John Hutchinson
Islam (1954) by Alfred Guillaume
Islam (1954)
by Alfred Guillaume
The Exploration of Space (1958) by Arthur C. Clarke
The Exploration of Space (1958)
by Arthur C. Clarke
The Badger (1958) by Ernest G. Neal
The Badger (1958)
by Ernest G. Neal
The Stagnant Society (1962) by Michael Shanks
The Stagnant Society (1962)
by Michael Shanks
Male and Female (1962) by Margaret Mead
Male and Female(1962)
by Margaret Mead
From Dickens to Hardy (1963) The Pelican Guide to English Literature Volume 6
From Dickens to Hardy (1963)
The Pelican Guide to English Literature Volume 6
The Psychology of Study (1963) by C.A. Mace
The Psychology of Study (1963)
by C.A. Mace
Comparative Religion (1964) by A.C. Bouquet
Comparative Religion (1964)
by A.C. Bouquet
The Geography of African Affairs (1965) by Paul Fordham
The Geography of African Affairs(1965)
by Paul Fordham
Logic and Sexual Morality (1965) by John Wilson
Logic and Sexual Morality (1965)
by John Wilson
The Greeks (1966) by H.D.F. Kitto
The Greeks (1966)
by H.D.F. Kitto
Human Groups (1967) by W.J.H. Sprott
Human Groups(1967)
by W.J.H. Sprott
The Family Life of Old People (1970) by Peter Townsend
The Family Life of Old People (1970)
by Peter Townsend
Electronic Computers (1970) by Stuart H. Hollingdale, G.C. Tootill
Electronic Computers (1970) 
by Stuart H. Hollingdale, G.C. Tootill
The Hidden Persuaders (1970) by Vance Packard
The Hidden Persuaders (1970)
by Vance Packard
Fundamentals of Psychology (1970) by C.J. Adcock
Fundamentals of Psychology (1970)
by C.J. Adcock
Glass Through the Ages (1970) by E. Barrington Haynes
Glass Through the Ages (1970)
by E. Barrington Haynes
Freedom and Beyond (1973) by John Holt
Freedom and Beyond (1973) 
by John Holt

The first five new Pelican books

Greek and Roman Political Ideas by Melissa Lane
Greek and Roman Political Ideas(2014)
by Melissa Lane
The Domesticated Brain by Bruce Hood
The Domesticated Brain (2014)
by Bruce Hood
Economics: The User's Guide by Ha-Joon Chang
Economics: The User's Guide (2014)
by Ha-Joon Chang
The Russian Revolution by Orlando Figes
The Russian Revolution (2014)
by Orlando Figes
Human Evolution by Robin Dunbar
Human Evolution(2014)
by Robin Dunbar


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