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The Texts:
The texts to the Nancy Drew® books come in two versions--original and revised. The first 34 volumes were in original
text format--that being 25 chapters and 200 plus pages. Original texts too, included prejudices and stereotyping of the
times. Beginning in 1959, the texts were revised over a period of time up until 1977. The revisions have a format of 20
chapters and around 180 pages. The revisions shortened the books and left out a lot of the prejudices and stereotypes
from the original text volumes. They also quickened the pace of the texts. The originals really develop the story, the
scenes, and the characters in much more detail than do the revised texts. Consequently, most collectors who grew up with
the originals would not have the revised texts for anything! Those who grew up reading the revised texts, and probably
not realizing they were revised, are enjoying the originals as well. For an analysis of the originals and the revisions,
visit the Nancy Drew® Revealed section for the article,
Revising an Original.
Volume #'s 35-56 were issued with only one text--of 20 chapters and 180 or so pages. These were never revised--they
were written at the same time as the other volumes were being revised, so there was no need for a revision.
In her Girl Sleuth on the Couch,
Betsy Caprio notes that there were 8 volumes that were revised and all new stories were
written. For example, in volume #4, The Mystery at Lilac Inn, in the original,
the inn itself was only the scene of a purse theft. In the revised, it was the scene for
the mystery--many activities revolved around the inn. Some of the characters were changed
as well. These were volume #'s 2, 4-5, 11-12, 14, 17-18.
There were 6 with minor title changes--volume #'s 5, 10, 17-18, 23, and 29.
These minor changed include dropping a 'the' or changing an 'at' to an 'of'.
In my reading and re-reading of the original v. revised texts, I have noted that
although those 8 previously mentioned volumes were revised with virtually all new
stories, all of the other revisions had some added or subtracted plot elements and scenes
as well. In the library section, under the first 34 volumes, as they become available, I
will note the similarites and changes within the text section and discussion sections of
those pages.
The following table notes which years that the original texts of volume #'s 1-34
were revised. Also an '*' by a volume number means that is a text that when revised
was substantially changed with an all new story. A '+' sign next to a volume number
indicates that when it was revised there was a minor title change.
Volumes: Revision Date:
1 1959
2* 1959
3 1960
4* 1961
5* + 1965
6 1961
7 1962
8 1968
9 1968
10 + 1966
11* 1965
12* 1972
13 1974
14* 1970
15 1972
16 1969
17* + 1976
18* + 1971
19 1969
20 1972
21 1970
22 1973
23 + 1973
24 1977
25 1967
26 1967
27 1967
28 1968
29 + 1968
30 1969
31 1974
32 1974
33 1975
34 1975
The Authors:
The following table notes the authors for each text, 'O' being for original text and
'R' being for revised text. Note: On revisions, I have included who wrote the adaptation, Harriet
Adams revised for the most part and or edited
most of the revisions, with help from other various individuals on certain volumes.
If you are interested in learning more about Mildred A. Wirt Benson, who ghosted 23 of the original text Nancy Drew®
books, visit the Mildred A. Wirt Benson Website.
List in part compiled from Farah's Guide, 11th edition, as to revision authors.
| Volumes: | Authors: |
|---|---|
| 1 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 2 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 3 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 4 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 5 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Grace Grote |
| 6 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 7 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 8 | O: Walter Karig R:Harriet Adams |
| 9 | O: Walter Karig R:Patricia Doll |
| 10 | O: Walter Karig R:Patricia Doll |
| 11 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 12 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Grace Grote |
| 13 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 14 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 15 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 16 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 17 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 18 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Harriet Adams |
| 19 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 20 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 21 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 22 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 23 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 24 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 25 | O:Mildred A. Wirt R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 26 | O:George Waller, Jr.(Harriet Adams) R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 27 | O:Margaret Scherf R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 28 | O:Wilhelmina Rankin R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 29 | O:Alma Sasse R:Ann Shultes |
| 30 | O:Mildred A. Wirt Benson R:Pricilla Baker-Carr |
| 31 | O:Harriet Adams R:June Dunn |
| 32 | O:Charles Strong R:Ann Shultes |
| 33 | O:Harriet Adams R:Ann Shultes |
| 34 | O:Harriet Adams R:Mary Fisher |
| 35 | Harriet Adams |
| 36 | Harriet Adams |
| 37 | Harriet Adams |
| 38 | Harriet Adams |
| 39 | Harriet Adams |
| 40 | Harriet Adams |
| 41 | Harriet Adams |
| 42 | Harriet Adams |
| 43 | Harriet Adams |
| 44 | Harriet Adams |
| 45 | Harriet Adams |
| 46 | Harriet Adams |
| 47 | Harriet Adams |
| 48 | Harriet Adams |
| 49 | Harriet Adams |
| 50 | Harriet Adams |
| 51 | Harriet Adams |
| 52 | Harriet Adams |
| 53 | Harriet Adams |
| 54 | Harriet Adams |
| 55 | Harriet Adams |
| 56 | Harriet Adams |