Billy Bunter and the Blue Mauritius by Frank Richards.

Published March 1952 by Cassell & Co

Illustrated by R. J. MacDonald.

Sir Hilton Popper, irascible land-owner, and a governor of Greyfriars - a perpetual thorn in the side of Greyfriars men – is, we learn in this story, a keen philatelist. His prized possession is his Blue Mauritius stamp. In order to be in a position to gloat over this at any time, he keeps it in his wallet. He really should know better. His precious woods are not only frequently trespassed in by Greyfriars men taking short-cuts; they are also a regular haunt of thieves & footpads.

On the fateful day in question, all three are present on his property. Sir Hilton is moodily contemplating those wastrels at the Income Tax Office, who have sent him yet another iniquitous demand, the Famous Five are taking an illegal stroll through the forbidden trees, & a certain Mr Judson is stalking the lordly baronet with criminal intent.

Sir Hilton is duly robbed, & Wharton & Co, after a brief chase, capture Mr Judson. Regular readers of The Magnet have been down this path many times.

As usual, it is Billy Bunter who happens to be in the wrong – or right – place at the right – or wrong – time! Frank Richards never wasted time on mystery in his stories. How the stamp came into Bunter’s possession is quickly explained.

A rather nice little story. We have Bunter innocently rolling around Greyfriars with a £2000 stamp about his person. A desperate villain anxious to get it back, and half of Greyfriars searching for the plunder.  All leading to confusion about watches, attempted abductions, & things going bump in the night.

The illustrations are much better here than in some of MacDonald’s earlier efforts. Largely because they concentrate more on Mr Judson & action scenes, & less on actual Greyfriars men.

One of the better post-war Bunter books.