FORMAT C - Hachette Green Spine Picture Cover with Horse Logo (1961-1979)

Equivalent to Bourke Types 5, 6, 7

These were the picture covers that were in production for the longest period of time and therefore are the most commonly found on the resale market. They are differentiated by the horse logo found on the back of the book; future formats E and F omit this symbol. Starting with this format, all the picture covers feature 4 full-page color internals as well as black and white lines drawings scattered throughout the text. Most the titles from the "classic 56" series were issued in this format.

Three of Bourke's types would be classified as Format C; there are some slight variations amongst the cover styles. The cover shown (Alice et les Diamants) represents Type 5 - it has the yellow stripe across the top front cover and a publisher's number at the base of the spine. Sometimes the stripe is of a color other than yellow. Type 6 also sports the yellow/color stripe, but indicates only "Hachette" in the box at the base of the spine. Type 7 has neither the stripe nor the number on the spine.

Green Spine hardback 6 3/4" H x 4 3/4" W: 3 white boxes on green spine; first has Caroline Quine, •, title in capitals; second has pictorial symbol of the story; third has publisher information

FORMAT E - Hachette Green Spine Picture Cover (1977-1982)

Equivalent to Bourke Types 10, 11, 12, 13

Four of Bourke's types would be classified as Format E; there are some slight variations amongst the cover styles. The unifying characteristics are the green spine and the lack of the horse logo on the back.

The cover shown to the right (Alice et le corsaire) represents Type 10 - it has the "Bibliothèque Verte" logo in a box on the lower part of the cover.

Type 11 is very similar to Type 10 - only difference is the appearance of a yellow or other colored stripe across the top of the front.

Type 12 is shown below left (Alice et le mannequin); the illustration is contained within an inset box with the title above.

Type 13 is shown below right (Alice et les marionnettes); the illustration is contained within an oval over a background of vertical stripes.

Green Spine hardback 6 3/4" H x 4 3/4" W: 3 white boxes on green spine; first has Caroline Quine in capitals, •, title; second has pictorial symbol of the story; third says Hachette

FORMAT F - Hachette Green Spine with Vertical Lines Picture Cover (1983-1987)

Equivalent to Bourke Type 14

During the 1980s a new spine style was created for the Bibliothèque Verte series which featured a spiced-up version of the traditional green spine. The Format F books are easily distinguished by the diagonal white stripes on the spine - this pattern is continued when the series moves to the paperback Formats K and M.

Green Spine hardback 6 3/4" H x 4 3/4" W; spine: detail of cover illustration, light green box with Caroline Quine and title in capitals; green area with white diagonal lines; Hachette in white capitals