The complete six volume set of "St. Clare's" school stories, from the library of Enid Blyton's daughter. Four of the books are first editions, with two volumes inscribed by Enid Blyton to her daughters, Gillian and Imogen. "The Second Form at St. Clare's" is inscribed on the front endpaper, "Gillian and Imogen Pollock, Please return to Green Hedges, Penn Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks" and "Claudine at St. Clare's" is inscribed, "Gillian and Imogen, with love from Mummy, (Enid Blyton)". "The Twins at St. Clare's" is the rare first edition, with the childhood signature of 10 year old Gillian on the front endpaper, "G. Pollock" and additionally signed, "Mrs Baverstock". "Summer Term at St. Clare's" has the childhood signature Gillian and later signature of Blyton's Granddaughter, Sian. Illustrated in line by W. Lindsay Cable. The books are all in good condition, with some general dustiness and fading to the cloth. Each volume has a pictorial dustwrapper, these vary in condition and have mainly been supplied by Gillian Baverstock.

Born in 1931, Gillian Baverstock (née Pollock) was Enid Blyton's first child. In an article for "Teacher's World" Blyton wrote, "...I am so pleased that a baby has come to live with me, because you all know how much I love boys and girls - and it is lovely to have one that really belongs to me and not to some other mother and father...". Four years later Imogen was born and Enid's family was complete. As the girls grew up Enid Blyton wrote stories that appealed to children of her daughters' age. She would test out plots and ideas on the girls and ask them to proof read the books. Her own children's favourite stories would usually prove to be those most popular with other young readers. Many of Enid Blyton's stories were based on her own or her daughter's experiences, with school stories featuring snapshots of daily life gleaned from Gillian and Imogen, "games of hockey, lacrosse and tennis, the little spites and deceits of school life, the loyalty and generosities of friendship".
After Enid Blyton's death in 1968, Gillian took a great interest in her mother's estate and writings. She became curator of many of her mother's belongings, including typescripts and books. Gillian died in 2007 and her collection was sold at auction in her home town of Ilkley. These books come directly from Gillian's own private collection. The wonderful resonance of this group of books embodies the connection between this renowned children's author, Enid Blyton, and her children, who helped inspire these tales.

PROVENANCE: from the collection of the late Gillian Baverstock.

Stock ID: 28046