Subject: Trixie Belden FAQ
From: "James D. Keeline" <keeline@adnc.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 

The TRIXIE BELDEN series was published by Whitman and later by Golden 
Press, both divisions of Western Printing and Lithographing Company of 
Racine, Wisconson.

The first six volumes were written by JULIE CAMPBELL (1908-    ).  
Thereafter, the series was published under the KATHRYN KENNY house name by a variety of hired writers.  Some of these "ghostwriters" have been identified, but many have not.  Much research remains in this mystery series.

JULIE CAMPBELL also wrote the GINNIE GORDON series (4 vols: 1948-1954), also published by WHITMAN:

	1. Ginnie Gordon and the Mystery of the Disappearing Candlesticks1948
	2. Ginnie Gordon and the Missing Heirloom 1950
	3. Ginnie Gordon and the Mystery of the Old Barn 1951
	4. Ginnie Gordon and the Lending Library	1954

Under the "JULIE TATHAM" name, Campbell wrote volumes in the CHERRY AMES series (vols 9-16: 1948-1955) about a nurse and the VICKI BARR series (vols 4-7: 1949-1952) about a flight attendant.  These two series were published by GROSSET & DUNLAP, the publisher of the HARDY BOYS and NANCY DREW books.  Early volumes in both series were written by HELEN (FRANCES WEINSTOCK) WELLS (1910-1986).

HELEN WELLS' name appears on CHERRY AMES #9 (Cruise Nurse) even though it was written by "JULIE TATHAM".  Similarly, VICKI BARR #16 (Brass Idol 
Mystery) was written by WALTER BROWN GIBSON (1897-1985) even though 
WELLS' name appears on the book.  GIBSON was known among radio 
enthusiasts as the creator of "The Shadow."

HELEN WELLS also wrote volumes for other publishers including the 
two-volume POLLY FRENCH series under the "FRANCINE LEWIS" pseudonym.

After 1959, Western Publishing decided to use house pseudonyms for all of its series.  For example, the BRAINS BENTON series (6 vols: 1959-1961) 
listed CHARLES SPAIN VERRAL (1904-1990) for the first volume (1959).  The remaining books in the series (vols 2-6: 1960-1961) used the name "GEORGE WYATT", a probable pseudonym.

The TRIXIE BELDEN series used the KATHRYN KENNY name throughout the 
balance of the series (vols 7-39: 1961-1986).  As stated above, some of 
these authors have been identified.

NICOLETE MEREDITH (McGUIRE) STACK (1896-    ) wrote at least five volumes of the ten stories (vols 7-16: 1961-1970) written after JULIE CAMPBELL stopped writing for the series.  Additional information about NICOLETE STACK may be found in:

	AUTHORS OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE	(Scarecrow,     )
	CONTEMPORARY AUTHOR, vol 13, reised.	(Gale Research,     )
	PENNAMES OF WOMEN WRITERS	
	INTERNATIONAL AUTHORS AND WRITERS 1976	

Some of her other works for children include:

	TWO TO GET READY	(Caxton Printers, 1953).  179p
	PIERRE OF THE ISLAND	(Bruce, 1954).  96p
	RAINBOW TOMORROW	(Bruce, 1956).  148p
	CORKY'S HICCUPS		(Golden Press, 1968).  24p  Poetry
	NIGHT SOUNDS		(Golden Press,     ).
	A FRIEND FOR KATIE	(Whitman,     ).

as "Nicolete Meredith"
	WELCOME LOVE		(Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1959).  196p
	KING OF THE KERRY FAIR	(Crowell, 1960).  56p
	MILESTONE SUMMER	(Whitman, 1962).  216p

as "Eileen Hill" for ROBIN KANE series published by Whitman.
	1. THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE PELICAN		1966
	2. THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM			1966
	3. THE MYSTERY OF GLENGARY CASTLE		1966
	4. THE CANDLE SHOP MYSTERY			1967
	5. THE MYSTERY IN THE CLOUDS			1971
	6. THE MONSTER OF WOLF POINT			1971


GLADYS BAKER BOND (1912-    ).  Wrote at least two volumes for the series (vols 21, 25: 1978-1979).  One editor described her writing as poor 
quality.  Bond also contributed volumes to the MEG DUNCAN series (6 vols: 
1967-1972), published by Whitman under the "HOLLY BETH WALKER" name.  
Additional information about GLADYS BAKER BOND may be found in:

	CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, vols 5-8, rev.	(Gale Research,     )
	CONTAMPORARY AUTHORS, vol 2, New Rev.	(Gale Research,     )
	SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR, vol 14	(Gale Research,     )

Some of her other work includes:

	BLUE CHIMNEY			(Holiday House, 1959).  164p
	A HEAD ON HER SHOULDERS		(Abelard-Schumann, 1963).  160p
	LITTLE STORIES			(Anti-Defamation League, 1964).  80p
	ADVENTURES WITH HAL		(Whitman, 1965).  156p
	THE SECRET AT ROCKY LEDGE	(Abelard-Schumann, 1965).  158p
	FAWN BABY			(Whitman, 1966).  32p
	THE MAGIC FRIEND-MAKER		(Whitman, 1966).  26p
	ANIMAL BABIES, WILD AND FREE	(Whitman, 1967).  154p
	THE MYSTERY AT FAR REACH	(Abelard-Schumann, 1967).  160p
	ON THE STRANGER'S MOUNTAIN	(Abelard-Schumann, 1969).  159p
	ALBUM OF CATS			(Rand McNally, 1971).
	BOY IN THE MIDDLE		(Silver Burdett, 1972).  16p

as "JO MENDEL" published by Whitman
	TUCKERS: THE COTTAGE HOLIDAY	(Whitman, 1962).  282p

as "HOLLY BETH WALKER" published by Whitman
	1. THE DISAPPEARING DIAMONDS			1967
	2. THE SECRET OF THE WITCH'S STAIRWAY	1967
	3. THE TREASURE NOBODY SAW			1967
	4. THE GHOST OF HIDDEN SPRINGS			1970
	5. THE MYSTERY OF BLACK-MAGIC CAVE		1971
	6. THE MYSTERY IN WILLIAMSBURG			1972


OWENITA (HARRAH) SANDERLIN (1916-    ) wrote at least two volumes in the TRIXIE BELDEN series (vols 22-23: 1978-1979).  Additional information about OWENITA SANDERLIN may be found in:

	BIOGRAPHY INDEX, vol 11			(H.W. Wilson,     )
	CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, vol 17, rev.	(Gale Research,     )
	CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, vol 7, new rev.	(Gale Research,     )
	SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR, vol 11	(Gale Research,     )

She also wrote:


JOAN CHASE BOWDEN (1925-    ) wrote a large number of TRIXIE BELDEN books in the late 1970s (vols 26, 27, 29-34).  Additional information about JOAN CHASE BOWDEN may be found in:

	AUTHORS OF BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE	(Scarecrow,     )
	CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, vol 69		(Gale Research,     )
	CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, vol 73		(Gale Research,     )
	CONTAMPORARY AUTHORS, vol 28, new rev.	(Gale Research,     )
	SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR, vol 38	(Gale Research,     )
	SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR, vol 51	(Gale Research,     )

She also wrote:


KATHLEEN KRULL (1952-    ) was the editor for the TRIXIE BELDEN series in 
the late 1970s.  She wrote one volume in the series (vol 28: 1979) and 
was working on the last volume, to be set in San Diego, California, when 
the series was discontinued.  Additional information about her may be 
found in:

	CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, vol 106		(Gale Research,     )
	SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR, vol 39	(Gale Research,     )
	SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR, vol 52	(Gale Research,     )


She also wrote:



Western Publishing eventually published the TRIXIE BELDEN books using 
techniques similar to the STRATEMEYER SYNDICATE.  Some of these include:

*  FLAT-FEE PAYMENT - Authors paid a fixed amount to write a book with no royalties. 

*  PSEUDONYMS - After CAMPBELL left, books were published using "KATHRYN KENNY" name. 

*  OUTLINES - Writers would complete manuscripts based on short outlines.

*  CHARACTER LIST - Characters from previous books were recorded for later reuse. 

*  PLOT SUMMARY - Each book was briefly described to avoid repetition.

*  LOCALE MAP - A map was created showing the location of the buildings
and trails described in the stories. 


Most of the Whitman series for girls shared similar characteristics and 
even similar characters.


Since the TRIXIE BELDEN books were published over a long period of time, 
several different formats were used.  The first sixteen books were 
published in some form of a hardcover.  These titles plus all later ones 
were published in paperback.  In the mid-1980s, the paperback format changed.

Format #1 - Dust Jacket Edition (Whitman) - vols 1-3 Books bound in a
pressed-paper on cardboard boards.  A separate illustrated paper dust
jacket contained the cover illustration which wrapped around to the spine. 

Format #2 - Cellophane Edition (Whitman) - vols 1-8 Books have colorful
paper over thin cardboard covered with clear cellophane.  This format was
very fragile and shows the slightest wear. 

Format #3 - Cameo Edition (Whitman) - vols 1-8+ Books feature color image printed on fairly sturdy nylon cloth with picture of Trixie in a small
white "cameo" design with a ribbon in the upper left corner of the front
cover. 

Format #4 - Deluxe Edition (Whitman or Golden Press) - vols 1-15 These
books also have a color image printed on nylon cloth.  Books are nearly
1/2 inch taller than all other editions.  Endpapers show color pictures of
Trixie and Honey. 

Format #5 - Short Ugly Edition (Whitman) - vols 1-16 Standard sized books with color pictures printed on paper over very thin cardboard. 

Format #6 - Cream Paperback Edition (Golden Press) - vols 1-34 Cream
colored paperbacks with color pictures printed on the front cover. 

Format #7 - Gold Paperback Edition (Golden Press) - vols 35-39 plus other
titles as needed.  Gold colored paperback with volume number enclosed in
square on spine. 


Below is a list of all of the published TRIXIE BELDEN volumes with the 
authors (when known):

Julie Campbell titles
1	The Secret Mansion		Campbell	1948
2	The Red Trailer Mystery		Campbell	1950
3	The Gatehouse Mystery		Campbell	1951
4	The Mysterious Visitor		Campbell	1954
5	The Mystery Off Glen Road	Campbell	1956
6	The Mystery in Arizona		Campbell	1958

"Kathryn Kenny" titles
7	The Mysterious Code				1961
8	The Black Jacket Mystery			1961
9	The Happy Valley Mystery			1962
10	The Marshland Mystery				1962
11	The Mystery at Bob-White Cave		1963
12	The Mystery of the Blinking Eye		1963
13	The Mystery on CobbettUs Island		1964
14	The Mystery of the Emeralds			1965
15	The Mystery on the Mississippi			1965
16	The Mystery of the Missing Heiress		1970

"Kathryn Kenny" titles only in paperback:
17	The Mystery of the Uninvited Guest		1977
18	The Mystery of the Phantom Grasshopper		1977
19	The Secret of the Unseen Treasure		1977
20	The Mystery off Old Telegraph Road		1978
21	The Mystery of the Castaway Children	[Bond]	1978
22	The Mystery on Mead's Mountain	   [Sanderlin]	1978
23	The Mystery of the Queen's Necklace[Sanderlin]	1979
24	The Mystery at Saratoga				1979
25	The Sasquatch Mystery			[Bond]	1979
26	The Mystery of the Headless Horseman  [Bowden]	1979
27	The Mystery of the Ghostly Galleon    [Bowden]	1979
28	The Hudson River Mystery	       [Krull]	1979
29	The Mystery of the Velvet Gown	      [Bowden]	1980
30	The Mystery of the Midnight Marauder  [Bowden]	1980
31	The Mystery at MaypennyUs	      [Bowden]	1980
32	The Mystery of the Whispering Witch   [Bowden]	1980
33	The Mystery of the Vanishing Victim   [Bowden]	1980
34	The Mystery of the Missing Millionaire[Bowden]	1980
35	The Mystery of the Memorial Day Fire		1984
36	The Mystery of the Antique Doll			1984
37	The Pet Show Mystery				1985
38	The Indian Burial Ground Mystery		1985
39	The Mystery of the Galloping Ghost		1986

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