Agatha Christie's Fontana Paperbacks - Part 8: 1971-1972.

This article continues my series on Fontana paperbacks published in the 1950s, 60s and 70s - in my opinion the golden age of Agatha Christie paperbacks. In prior articles I've reviewed all the Fontana paperbacks created from 1953 through to 1970, which since 1963 include covers by Tom Adams, amongst others. In addition to providing images that are just to browse, these articles are designed to provide fans and readers a definitive guide to assist with building a collection of Fontana paperbacks. All articles also provide related insights and collecting tips. To read any of the prior articles see the links at the foot of the page.

Publishing Changes.

In the 1970s, and especially from late 1971 onwards, quite of few of the previously used covers on Agatha Christie Fontana paperbacks were being reused on books despite assigning a new Series number. It appears Fontana was updating the Series numbers when either the pricing or design layout changed. Thus not every new Fontana released had a new cover design. The layout of the covers was also fairly inconsistent during this period. Old design elements still appeared while new layouts were being integrated. This makes it hard to use solely visual clues to date the book.

Also, starting in the 1970s it is becoming hard to know with any degree of certainty whether my list is definitive as the reprinting of titles was occuring frequently. There may well be Series numbers that have been missed. However, hopefully all books with new cover art have been captured. Corrections and additions are most welcome. See the foot of this article for contact details.

Part 8: 1971-1972.

In 1971 Fontana published eleven Christie paperbacks, many with new cover art, and several for the first time either globally or in the UK. In 1972, a further twenty-six were published of which nine sported new covers. All the new covers from these years were by Tom Adams when published for the UK market. However, the 'Continental' editions published during these years featured a very different look for which no artist was credited.

1971 Printings:

2550: The Sittaford Mystery. This is the 2nd printing of this title by Fontana, but the first with this new Tom Adams cover. It was published in March 1971, but the title was reprinted several more times that year, with both the 3rd and 4th impressions also dated 1971. Either the initial print run was very small, or this title sold exceptionally well that year. Note that the Fontana logo is still in the top right, and Christie's name is still in capital letters. These design elements were to be phased out during the year - but did still appear on a few titles.

2603: Five Little Pigs. This was the 7th time Fontana had published this title, but the first with this new Tom Adams cover. Published in April 1971, this cover was reprinted many many times and is likely very familiar to readers. It is considered by many to be one of her greatest novels. Note that Christie's name is no longer in all capitals and the logo has moved to the bottom left of the cover.

2615: Peril at End House. Published in June, this is the 3rd Fontana printing of this title but the first to feature the new artwork from Tom Adams.

2647: Passenger to Frankfurt. This is the true first paperback of this title. Published by Fontana for English readers outside the UK (primarily Europe), it is also referred to as the 1st Continental Edition. When Fontana published this title in the UK in 1972, oddly they also referred to that as the 'First time in paperback!'.

2682: By the Pricking of my Thumbs. This is the 1st Fontana printing of this title and thus the first UK paperback. It was only preceded by the US Pocket Book printing. There was no Fontana Continental edition. It features both a new Tom Adams cover design and also, uniquely, the photo of Agatha Christie used on Endless Night in 1970 to celebrate her 80th birthday. Why they chose to reuse it for this title is unclear. With regard to the cover by Adams, this is the only time the doll faces to the reader's left. On all future covers the whole cover image is reversed (and enlarged) so that the doll faces right. Again, unclear why but a little oddity to know! The cover design was also new - perhaps to differentiate it as it was the 'First time in paperback'.

2777: Partners in Crime. Published in August, 1971, this was the 3rd Fontana printing of this title. However, it was the first time Tom Adams created a cover for this novel. The earlier 1967 printing had artwork by Ian Robertson. Of note, some later printings incorrectly state this edition was published in November 1971.

2803: Endless Night. This was the 5th Fontana, but marked the start of a period when cover art was being reused despite new Series numbers. The Tom Adams cover from the prior year was again on this book although the design layout was changed as this was no longer the first time in paperback (image above).

The next four books are all sequentially numbered as they are reprints that reuse prior cover art, though the Fontana branding and design elements vary.

2859: Murder in Mesopotamia. Published in September, this was the 5th Fontana printing. It reused the Adams cover from 1964. As with No. 2860 below, this did not integrate the new Fontana design elements and just appeared to be a reissue of an older design layout. Thus, the new Series number appears to be solely about pricing updates.

2860: The Thirteen Problems. This book reused the earlier 1965 Tom Adams cover, with no design change to the cover at all.

2861: Murder in the Mews. This was the 3rd Fontana printing, and it reused the Adams cover from 1964.

2862: They Came to Baghdad. Published in December 1971, this was the 11th Fontana printing of this title. It reused the Tom Adams artwork from 1965.

1972 Printings:

This year saw a significant increase in the reuse of cover art. I will still list the new Series numbers that I'm aware of, but from now on if you'd like to see images of the artwork please use the links at the foot of this article to go to the relevant prior time period.

2878: The Big Four. Published in March, this is the 2nd Fontana printing, but now with original art by Tom Adams. Fontana only published this title once before, in 1965 with cover art back then by Ian Robertson. This cover was republished many times over the years making this design instantly recognizable for many.

2889: Crooked House. This newly numbered edition reused Tom Adams' artwork from October 1964 (see prior articles for cover).

2904: Endless Night. This is a film tie-in printing, with images from the film on its covers. It is unclear when this book was actually released as the film was not released until October in the UK yet the book states an April print date.

2944: Hickory Dickory Dock. Published in June this is the 5th Fontana printing of this title. This version was the first paperback I bought for myself as a teenager and so it has a special place in my Christie journey. It's new cover art, created by Tom Adams, is highly recognizable to most fans.

2955: Taken at the Flood. Published in February, it was the 4th Fontana printing of this title but the first with this new Series number. The Tom Adams artwork was reused from the Series published just two years earlier, in March 1970, earlier as No. 2279.

2956: The Pale Horse. This is one of the few titles Fontana republished with artwork by Ian Robertson. Originally published in 1969 as No. 1976.

2961: The Murder at the Vicarage. This newly numbered book still used the Tom Adams artwork from his first year of covers in 1963, then Series No. 839.

2963: Murder on the Orient Express. Another newly numbered book going back to Tom Adams' early years by reusing the art from April 1964, then as Series No. 954.

2992: Nemesis. Published for the European English-language market, this is Fontana's 1st printing and a 'Continental Edition' (see No. 2647 above). Also, it is the global paperback of this title. Fontana would not print a UK paperback version of this novel until May 1974.

3004: The Hound of Death. This newly numbered edition reused the Tom Adams artwork from No. 970 in 1964.

3005: Halloween Party. While the month is not provided, this is the 1st UK printing of this title by Fontana. It was preceded only by the Fontana 'Continental Edition' (No. 2370, 1970). This new Tom Adams cover is arguably one of the most creative and recognizable from the early 1970s.

3006: Death on the Nile. This newly numbered printing reused Tom Adams' art from 1968, Series No. 1844.

3018: By the Pricking of my Thumbs. Printed in August 1972, this was the 4th Fontana printing of this title. As you can see when comparing this to the prior year first paperback printing (earlier in this article), the cover image has been reversed, techically making this a new cover design.

3040: Towards Zero. Published in September, this is the 5th Fontana impression, but the first with this Series number. The Tom Adams artwork was reused from 1966 (Series No. 1301).

3059: Lord Edgware Dies. This book reused Adams' cover from 1965 (Series No. 2036).

3075: Appointment with Death. This book reused Adams' cover from 1968 (Series No. 1677).

3076: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans. Printed in November, this is the 6th printing of this title by Fontana, but the first with this new cover created by Tom Adams.

3090: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas. Printed in December, this is the 6th Fontana printing of this book but the first with this new cover by Tom Adams.

3159: A Pocket Full of Rye. This reissue used the Adams cover art from Series 1401 in 1966.

3161: Third Girl. This reissue reused the Adams cover art from Series 1759 in 1968.

3187: The Body in the Library. This reused the Adams cover from Series 1515 in 1967.

3223: The Moving Finger. This reused the Adams cover from Series 1164 in 1965.

3227: Parker Pyne Investigates. This reused the Adams cover from Series 2043 in 1965.

3241: Dead Man’s Folly. This reused the Adams cover from Series 2305 in 1970.

3280: Cat Among the Pigeons. This reused the Adams cover from Series 960 in 1964.

3295: Passenger to Frankfurt. Published late in 1972, this is the 1st UK Fontana printing of this title, preceded only by the 'Continental Edition'. As with other 1st UK printings, Fontana states 'First time in paperback' (though not entirely accurate). It is the first though to have the new Tom Adams cover that likely aided sales of an otherwise less successful Christie novel. Of note, later printings incorrectly may state it was first published in 1973.

Corrections Welcome: 

As always, if you have any additions, corrections or comments, please email me at collectchristie@gmail.com . Reader input helps make these articles more interesting.

Related Paperback Articles:  

For all the prior Fontana articles, while they are in the Index above, direct links are below.

Part 1: 1953 to 1957 and the first 15 Christie titles Fontana published (link).

Part 2: 1958 to 1960 and the next 21 covers created during those years (link).

Part 3: 1961 to 1963 (partial) and the 23 covers created prior to Tom Adams (link).

Part 4: 1963 (partial) to 1964 & the 21 books published, many now with Adams covers (link).

Part 5: 1965 to 1966 and the 22 books published in those years (link).

Part 6: 1967 to 1968 and the 19 books published in those years (link).

Part 7: 1969 to 1970 and the 17 books published in those years (link).

If you haven't yet viewed my new index of all the articles I've written about paperbacks, it can be accessed from the home page of my website or via this link.

Subscribe & the Socials.

If you are not a subscriber to my website, please consider subscribing here: link. This ensures you receive an email any time I write and post an article. Re: Social Media accounts - do consider following me on X (formerly Twitter) @collectchristie and on Facebook (link). The content varies across platforms but should be of interest for any fan of Agatha Christie.