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Related Editions

Whilst collectors of "pure" Guinness Book of Record editions may frown on earlier or derivative works, some of the following editions and related items are — in our opinion — related closely to Guinness Superlatives, and therefore deserve an honourable mention at the very least. The primary qualification is that the publications are primarily records-based editions (or we just like them). Again, if you know of any other interesting related editions, please let us know.

 1950 The Book of Amazing Facts

Publication Date

1950

Cover

Grey Cover with Green Dust-jacket

Pages

190

Chapters 8 ("Science", "Nature", "People", "Buildings", "Transportation", "Literature", "Sports" and "Miscellaneous")

Author

Jerome S. Meyer

Format Hardback 9½x6½ inches (241x165 mm)
Copyright 1950 The World Publishing Company

Publisher

The World Publishing Company

Notes:
  1. This little-known book is believed to be the first "records" book. The introduction states that, "It is the only book of its kind and there is nothing either in the New York Public Library or the Congressional Library in Washington even remotely like it". Although some of the so-called records in this book are rather fanciful by modern standards, many of the records exactly match those in the first Guinness Book of Records. Truly a ground-breaking publication!

 

 1951 Get to your Marks!

Publication Date

1951

Cover

Grey

Price New

15/-

Pages

267

Sub-title

The Story of World Track and Field

A Short History of World, Commonwealth, European, and British Athletics

Foreword

Harold M. Abrahams4 (Vice-President of the A.A.A.)

Preface

A. Ross McWhirter and Norris D. McWhirter

Format Hardback 8⅝x5⅝ inches (220x143 mm)
Copyright Ross and Norris McWhirter

Publisher

Nicholas Kaye Ltd., 1 Trebeck Street, London W.1

Printer

St Ann's Press, Park Road, Altrincham

Notes:
  1. This was the first book published by the McWhirters.

  2. Although this was published 4 years before the first Guinness Book of Records, it cost 15 shillings when new - three times the price of the first Guinness Book of Records.

  3. For anyone interested in the history of Track and Field athletics (particularly British competitors), this is a must-read book. As well as detailed records of each type of event, there are many anecdotes and discussions which make fascinating reading, and show early signs of the McWhirters' style in record-book compiling.

  4. Harold Abrahams is probably now best known via the 1981 film, "Chariots of Fire".

 

 1952 Get to your Marks!

Publication Date

1952

Cover

Maroon

Pages

267

Sub-title

A Short History of World, Commonwealth, European, and British Athletics

Foreword

Harold M. Abrahams (Vice-President of the A.A.A.)

Preface

A. Ross McWhirter and Norris D. McWhirter

Format Hardback 8⅝x5⅝ inches (220x143 mm)
Copyright Ross and Norris McWhirter

Publisher

Sportsman's Book Club

Printer

St Ann's Press, Park Road, Altrincham

Notes:
  1. This edition is a reprint of the original 1951 Nicolas Kaye edition.

 

 1957 British Athletics Record Book

Publication Date

March 1957

Cover

Grey

Pages

56

Format Paperback 9x5¾ inches (228x146 mm)
Authors Alan Ross McWhirter, Ian Buchanan and Norris Dewar McWhirter

Publisher

The McWhirter Twins Ltd., c/o Lloyd's Bank (Law Courts), 222 The Strand, W.C.2

Printer

Welbecson Press Ltd., Blenheim House, 39-43 Battersea High Street, London, S.W.11

Notes:
  1. The foreword states that, "This is the first comprehensive compilation of British all-time athletic personal best performances to be published."

 

 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games

Text

Wales July 1958
Presented with the Compliments of Arthur Guinness Son & Co (Park Royal) Ltd

Publication Date

1958

Cover

Pale beige

Editor

Frank Hart

Pages

52

Format Paper booklet 8x5⅛ inches (203x130 mm)
Publisher Arthur Guinness Son & Co (Park Royal) Ltd

Printer

W. S. Cowell Ltd, Ipswich

Guinness Code

GA/48/58

Notes:
  1. This booklet is presumably the forerunner of the "Guinness Book of British Empire & Commonwealth Games Records" series.

 

1963 Mr Softee "Your World" Wondercard Series

Card No. 2

Mount Everest

Publication Date

1963

Number

12 Cards in the set

Dimensions Each card is 5x2½ inches (127x64 mm)
Produced By Mister Softee Ltd. in association with the Guinness Book of Records.

 

Card No. 12

Man in Space

Notes:
  1. The 12 cards are: "The Unknown Sea", "Mount Everest", The Cheetah", "The Coelacanth", "Humming Birds", "Earliest Man", "Cave Paintings", "Johann Sebastian Bach", "The Great Wall of China", "William Shakespeare", "Alexander the Great" and "Man in Space".

 

 1964 Guinness Book of Olympic Records

Subtitle

"Complete roll of Olympic Medal Winners (1896-1960) for the 20 sports to be competed in the 1964 Games and all other essential information"

Publication Date

Spring 1964

Cover

Yellow

Price New

7s 6d

Pages

158

Preface

Compilers (Norris and Ross McWhirter)

Format Hardback 7¼x4⅝ inches (184x118 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.

Publisher

Oak Tree Press, Ltd., 116, Baker St., London, W.1.

Notes:
  1. This book was published simultaneously in the U.S.A. by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

  2. A paperback version of the book (price 5/-) was published in Australia by "The K. G. Murray Publishing Company Pty. Ltd., 142 Clarence Street, Sydney" and printed by "New Century Press Pty. Ltd., 2-5 North York St., Sydney".

 

 1964 Guinness Book of Turf Records

Compiler

George Fisher

Publication Date

March 1964

Cover

Blue

Price New

Two Shillings

Pages

68

Foreword

Viscount Elveden

Preface

George Fisher

Format Paperback booklet 6½x4½ inches (165x114 mm)

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Limited, 8 Baker Street, London, W.1

Printer Staples Printers Limited at their Stratford, London, establishment
Notes:
  1. George Fisher also contributed to the main Guinness Book of Records, was a London taxi driver, welter-weight boxer, snooker and billiards champion, and still had time to appear on a number of TV quiz shows.

  2. Promotional copies of this edition are known: Guinness distributed some complimentary copies (below left), and special editions for companies such as Joe Coral Ltd. (below right) were also produced.

 

 1964 Guinness Book of Turf Records (Second Edition)

Subtitle

Winners of all the major races since 1776
Details of Owners, Trainers, Jockeys, Records, etc.
Full list of fixtures for 1965

Compiler

George Fisher

Publication Date

November 1964

Cover

Yellow

Price New

2s 6d

Pages

72

Foreword

Viscount Elveden

Preface

George Fisher

Format Paperback booklet 6⅜x4½ inches (162x114 mm)

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Limited, 8 Baker Street, London, W.1

Printer Staples Printers Limited at their Stratford, London, establishment
Notes:
  1. The horse pictured on the front cover is Lord Elveden's Khalkis.

  2. George Fisher also contributed to the main Guinness Book of Records, was a London taxi driver, welter-weight boxer, snooker and billiards champion, and still had time to appear on a number of TV quiz shows.

  3. Many copies of the book were given away by bookmakers (such as Joe Coral Ltd., The Mark Lane Group, G. E. Boynton. C. Rolph, F. C. Turner,  Bob Coventry and Wm. Gibson & Son) as promotional items:

We have a promotional copy from Joe Coral (Kent), with a black plastic cover which reads, "Never a Quarrel Bet with Coral".

 

 1964 Dunlop Book of Facts

Publication Date

November 1964

Cover

Blue

Pages

439

Sub-title

Textbook for General Knowledge

Foreword

October 1964, Sir Edward Beharrell, Chairman, Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd.

Preface

Compilers (Norris and Ross McWhirter)

Format Hardback 8¾x4¾ inches (223x121 mm)
Copyright Dreghorn Publications Ltd.

Publisher

Dreghorn Publications Ltd. 8 Baker Street London W1

Printer

Hazell Watson & Viney Ltd, Aylesbury, Bucks

Notes:
  1. Two bindings were available: "Standard edition" (price 10/-) and "Fully bound library edition" (price 15/-). The standard edition is also know as the "Flexibound edition".

  2. The front dust-jacket flap says, "DUNLOP BOOK OF FACTS is the first new general reference volume to be published in Britain for many decades".

  3. The paperback (Flexibound) edition is slightly smaller at 216x114mm.

 

 1965 Guinness Book of Hurling Records

Subtitle

Complete Roll of All-Ireland Hurling Champions (1887-1964), and National League, Railyway Cup, Provincial and Oireachtas Cup winners.

Compilers

David Guiney and Padraig Puirseal

Publication Date

1965

Cover

White

Price New

Two Shillings

Pages

64

Foreword

David Guiney and Padraig Puirseal

Format Paperback booklet 6½x4½ inches (165x114 mm)

Published and Printed

On behalf of A. Guinness Son & Co. Ltd. at St. James's Gate, Dublin 8, Ireland

 

 1965 Guinness Book of Turf Records (Third Edition)

Subtitle

An Encyclopaedia of Horse-Racing

Compiler

George Fisher

Publication Date

November 1965

Cover

Yellow

Price New

2s 6d

Pages

72

Foreword

Viscount Elveden

Preface

George Fisher

Format Paperback booklet 6⅜x4½ inches (162x114 mm)

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Limited, 8 Baker Street, London, W.1

Printer Staples Printers Limited at their Stratford, London, establishment
Notes:
  1. The horse pictured on the front cover is H.M. The Queen's Carozza, with Lester Piggott up.

  2. Our copies are promotional copies for PETER (B'HAM) LTD (above), Bob Pearce Ltd (right)  and Philip Joseph & Co. Ltd. (far right).

  3. A copy from Fred Binns Ltd. appeared on eBay in 2009, ones for Laurie Wallis & Co., Ltd. and George Habbershaw Ltd. appeared in 2014, and one for Reg Jackson (Doncaster) appeared in 2016.

 

 1966 Guinness Book of British Empire & Commonwealth Games Records

Subtitle

"being a record and analysis of the results of all 9 sports in all seven celebrations of these Games (1930-1962) with programme details for 1966"

Publication Date

May 1966

Cover

Black/Yellow

Price New

3/6

Foreword

Viscount Elveden

Preface

Norris and Ross McWhirter, May 1966

Pages

80

Format Paper booklet 6⅜x4½ inches (162x115 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 8 Baker Street, London, W.1.

Publisher

Lamport Gilbert & Co. Ltd., Gun Street, Reading, England.

Notes:
  1. This booklet is produced in the Guinness Book of Records "style", in that it has a foreword by Viscount Elveden and a preface with the facsimile signatures of the McWhirter twins.

  2. The front cover shows the National Stadium at Kingston, Jamaica floodlit at night. This is the main venue for the 8th Games.

 

 1966 Dunlop Book of Facts Second Edition (Illustrated)

Publication Date

November 1966

Cover

Light blue background

Pages

256

Sub-title

Textbook for General Knowledge

Foreword

October 1964, Sir Edward Beharrell, Chairman, Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd.

Preface

Compilers (Norris and Ross McWhirter)

Illustrations 8 black and white plates (Second Edition)
Format Hardback 10x7½ inches (254x191 mm)
Copyright Dreghorn Publications Ltd.

Publisher

Dreghorn Publications Ltd. 8 Baker Street London W1

Printer

Staples Printers Limited at their Stratford, London, establishment

 

 1967 Great Moments in Sport

Subtitle

A pictorial record of events that made headlines.

Publication Date

1967

Pages

128

Edited by

BBC commentators Ross and Norris McWhirter

Format Paperback booklet 7x4¾ inches (177x120 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Limited

Published by

Vernons Pools Ltd., Liverpool

Printer

Buckley & Bland Ltd., Stockport.

Notes

presented with the compliments of Vernons Pools Ltd.

 

 1967 Guinness Book of Turf Records (Fourth Edition)

Compiler

George Fisher

Pages

72

Foreword

Viscount Elveden, January 1967

Preface

George Fisher

Format Paperback booklet 6⅜x4½ inches (162x114 mm)

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Limited, 8 Baker Street, London, W.1

Notes:

Our copy has a blank cover with an outer plastic cover for:

David Pearl

Turf Accountant

194 Great Titchfield Street, W. 1

Phone: Euston 6092

 

Be Treated Like a Earl Bet with David Pearl

 

 1967 Guinness Book of England v West Indies Test Cricket Records

Publication Date

November 1967

Pages

47

Foreword

The Earl of Iveagh, Chairman

Statistics

Irving Rosenwater

Format Paperback booklet 6½x4½ inches (165x114 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Limited

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Limited, 24 Upper Brook Street, London, W.1

Printer

Lonsdale & Bartholomew (London) Ltd., W.3

 

 1968 Guinness Book of Turf Records (Fifth Edition)

Subtitle

An Encyclopaedia of Horse-Racing

Compiler

George Fisher

Publication Date

1968

Cover

Yellow

Pages

80

Foreword

The Earl of Iveagh, January 1968

Preface

George Fisher

Format Paperback booklet 6½x4½ inches (165x114 mm)

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Limited

Printer

Redwood Press of Trowbridge, Wiltshire

Notes:
  1. Many copies of the book were given away as promotional items, by companies such as City Tote Ltd  (pictured above) and Mark Lane (T.A.) Ltd., A. & P. Stallion Ltd. and The Gibson Group of Companies (pictured right).

 

 1969 Centenary History of Oxford University Rugby Football Club

Publication Date

December 1969

Authors

Ross McWhirter and Sir Andrew Noble Bt., K.C.M.G.

Introduction

K. M. Spence

SBN

0 950114 50 2

Cover

Blue

Price New

N/A

Pages

211 plus extensive biographies and appendices

Format Hardback 320x215 mm
Publisher Oxford University Rugby Football Club

Printed by

Redwood Press Limited, Trowbridge & London

Notes:
  1. Our copy is no. 382 of a limited edition, and contains an unusual compliments card:

 

1970 Birds Eye Book of Record Breakers

Published for

Bird's Eye Foods Ltd.

Booklets

1. Sport
2. Animals
3. Buildings
4. Machines

5. People
6. Woman's World

Copyright

Bird's Eye Foods Ltd. and Guinness Superlatives

Format Approx. 4x3 inches (102x76 mm)

 

 1970 Guinness Book of British Empire & Commonwealth Games Records

Subtitle

"being a record and analysis of the results of all 9 sports in all eight celebrations of these Games (1930-1966) with programme details for 1970"

Publication Date

May 1970

SBN

900424 52 4

Cover

White

Price New

4/6

Foreword

The Earl of Iveagh

Preface

Norris and Ross McWhirter, March 1970

Pages

88

Format Paperback c. 6x4 inches (153x103 mm)
Publisher Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 24, Upper Brook Street, London, W.1.

Printed by

Sir Joseph Causton & Sons Ltd., London and Eastleigh, England

 

 1971 Centenary History of the Rugby Football Union

Publication Date

September 1971

Authors

U. A. Titley and Ross McWhirter

Foreword

Sir William Ramsey, C.B.E.

SBN

0 901123 09 9

Cover

Green

Price New

N/A

Pages

216 plus extensive biography section

Format Hardback 320x215 mm
Publisher Rugby Football Union

Printed by

Redwood Press Limited, Trowbridge & London

 

 1972 The Guinness Book of Olympic Records

Subtitle

"Complete roll of Olympic Medal Winners (1896-1968) for the 22 sports to be competed in the 1972 Games and all other essential information"

Publication Date

Spring 1972

ISBN

0-140-03526-5

Price New

50p

Pages

203

Preface

Norris and Ross McWhirter

Format Paperback 7⅛x4⅜ inches (181x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Limited, 1972

Publisher

Penguin Books Ltd, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England.

Printer Brodard et Taupin, La Flèche.

 

 1972 The Olympics 1896-1972

Subtitle

In support of the British Olympic Appeal

Publication Date

1972

Pages

96

Written by

Ross McWhirter

Edited by

Peter Hildreth

Foreword

Ross McWhirter, Lord Rupert Nevill and Dr. A. W. Pearce

Format Paperback 300x215 mm
Copyright Scott International (Marketing) Ltd. and David Mappin (Promotions) Ltd.

Publisher

Esso Petroleum Company Ltd.

Printer Sir Joseph Causton & Sons Ltd.

 

 1972 Surprising Facts About Plants

Authors

Norris McWhirter and Ross McWhirter

Publication Date

October 1972

Cover

Cerise

SBN

85166 226 9

Price New

95p

Pages

47

Format Hardback 8⅝x6¾ inches (220x172 mm)
Copyright Franklin Watts Limited

Publisher

Franklin Watts Limited, Chandos House, 32 Palmer Street, London, S. W. 1.

Printer Colour Reproductions Limited, Billericay, Essex.

 

 1974 Guinness Book of Turf Records

Compiler

George Fisher

Publication Date

January 1974

Cover

Black

SBN

900424 43 5

Price New

45p

Pages

126

Foreword

Earl of Iveagh

Preface

George Fisher

Format Paperback 7⅛x4⅜ inches (182x111 mm)

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Limited, 2 Cecil Court, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer Hazell Watson & Viney Ltd, Aylesbury, Bucks.
Notes:
  1. George Fisher also contributed to the main Guinness Book of Records, was a London taxi driver, welter-weight boxer, snooker and billiards champion, and still had time to appear on a number of TV quiz shows.

  2. This final section of this edition has some records from other sports.

  3. As with the earlier editions, some copies had promotional branding, such as "Sporting Chronicle", on the front cover (right).

 

1975 Guinness Book of Games & Puzzles

Publication Date

January 1975

Price New 40p
ISBN 0-552-09750-0

Pages

144

Format Paperback 7x4⅛ inches (178x107 mm)
Copyright Sterling Publishing Company, Inc

Publisher

Corgi/Carousel (Transworld Publishers Ltd.)

Cavendish House, 57-59, Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London W5

Printer Arcata Graphics, Buffalo, New York
Notes:
  1. Devised by: Norvin Pallas

  2. Based on the 21st edition of the Guinness Book of Records.

 

 1975 The Titbits Guinness Record Book

Published With

Titbits magazine

Publication Date 1975
Pages 56
Sections 6 ("Man and Woman", "Entertainment", "Space", "Animals", "Mechanical World" and "This Sporting Life")
Format Paper 9¼x5¾in folded (235x146mm)
Notes The paper "book" was published in 4 sections, and contained records from the 22nd Edition of the Guinness Book of Records.

 

 1975 1976 "Is this a record?" calendar

Publication Date 1975
Format Cardboard outer 10x9in (255x227mm)
Publisher Collins
Printer William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.
Notes

"Is this a record? No, it's a Collins Calendar based on information supplied by The GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS".

 

12 double-sided pages, each with a record from the Guinness Book of Records.

 

Also contained an order form for the 1977 calendar.

 

 1976 1977 "Is this a record?" calendar

Publication Date 1976
Format Cardboard outer 10x9in (255x227mm)
Publisher Collins
Printer Collins, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow.
Notes

"is this a RECORD? No. It's a Collins Calendar for 1977 based on information supplied by The GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS".

 

12 double-sided pages, each with a record from the Guinness Book of Records.

 

Also contained an order form for the 1978 calendar.

 

 1976 Ross

Hardback

Paperback

Subtitle

The story of a shared life

Publication Date

1976

SBN

902782 23-1 (Hardback), 902782 24-X (Paperback)

Pages

240

Author

Norris McWhirter

Foreword

Sir Roger Bannister

Format

Hardback 8¾x5¾ inches (223x146 mm)

Paperback 8½x5⅜ inches (215x138 mm)

Publisher

Churchill Press Limited

Printed by Redwood Burn Limited, Trowbridge & Esher

For any Guinness Book of Records collectors, this book is a "must read". As well as giving an insight into the McWhirters' passion for facts, it also documents how the connection with Guinness came about. Ultimately, of course, it is a rather moving tribute to Ross by his twin brother Norris.

We have two hardback copies signed by Norris, one of which has a dedication to Alec R. Gidney - the twins' housemaster at Cotton House, Marlborough College. We also have a copy dedicated by Rosemary McWhirter to Ronald Proyer for his article in Annabel magazine about the death of her husband.

 

August 2009

In the latter part of August 2009, we were lucky enough to be in conversation with Iain McWhirter (Ross's son), and he kindly agreed to answer a few of our questions. You can read the interview on our people page.

 

 1976 The Guinness Book of Olympic Records

Subtitle

"Complete roll of Olympic Medal Winners (1896-1972, including 1906) for the 28 sports (7 winter and 21 summer) to be contested in the 1976 Celebrations and other useful information"

Publication Date

Spring 1976

ISBN

0-140-04146-X

Price New

75p

Pages

256

Preface

Norris McWhirter

Format Paperback 7⅛x4⅜ inches (180x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Limited, 1976

Publisher

Penguin Books Ltd, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England.

Printer Hazell Watson & Viney Ltd, Aylesbury, Bucks

 

 1976 The BBC Book of Record Breakers

Publication Date July 1976

Cover

Pale blue background

Price New

£1.50

ISBN

0 563 17195 2

Pages

80

Editor Alan Russell

Published by

British Broadcasting Corporation

35 Marylebone High Street

London W1M 4AA

Printed by Hollen Street Press Limited, Slough, Berkshire.
Format Hardback 262x200 mm
Notes:
  1. We have one copy signed by Roy Castle, and another signed by Norris McWhirter:

  1. This little book is a really good read for record enthusiasts.

  2. A second edition was published in 1980.

 

1978 Barratt World Record Breakers Bubblegum Cards

Publication Date

1978

Number

50 Cards in the set

Dimensions Each card is c. 2½x1⅜ inches (65x35 mm)
Copyright FKS Publishers and Guinness Superlatives Ltd
Produced For Geo. Bassett & Co. Ltd. (Barratt Division), Sheffield, England.

 

Notes:
  1. Each card has a drawing depicting a particular world record. The first card shows the "Roller Skating Marathon" record held by Randy Reed of Springfield, Oregon. The 50th card (right) shows the record for the "Greatest Electric Shock".

  2. We have been lucky enough to get hold of an original album from 1978. It has eight pages and is 30x21 centimetres (pictured far right).

  3. We also have some original packet sleeves from the same period:

 

1978 Guinness Book of Record Breakers Collector's Album

Copyright

FKS Publishers Ltd.

Published by

FKS Publishers Ltd., Warwick House, 334 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 2QN

Printed by Severn Valley Press in association with Visa Press Ltd.
Format Approx. 11⅞x9 inches (301x229 mm)
Pages 30
Price New 20p
Introduction Norris McWhirter
Sections 12 ("The Human Being", "Animal Kingdom", "The Natural World", "The Universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games and Pastimes")
Notes:
  1. This was a sticker collection album, with 257 stickers to collect.

  2. Packs of 6 stickers (right) cost 5p.

 

 1979 The First Guinness Book of Records Crossword

Publication Date July 1979

Cover

Crossword background

ISBN

0 906806 00 3

Pages

66

Editor Dr. Ken Miller, M.Sc., M.A., Ph.D.

Published by

Onsworld Ltd.,

Guash Way, Stamford,

Lincs. PE9 1XJ

Printed by The Nenedale Press Ltd., Peterborough
Format Folded Paperback 180x110 mm
Notes:
  1. Unfolded, the crossword half of the book is 2450mm (a little over 8 feet) long.

  2. All of the crossword clues are based on information from the 25th edition.

 

 1980 The Guinness Book of Olympic Records

Subtitle

"Complete roll of Olympic Medal Winners (1896-1976, including 1906) for the 28 sports (7 winter and 21 summer) to be contested in the 1980 Celebrations and other useful information"

Publication Date

April 1980

ISBN

0-140-04765-4

Price New

£1.95

Pages

278

Preface

Norris McWhirter

Format Paperback 7⅛x4⅜ inches (180x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Superlatives Limited, 1980

Publisher

Penguin Books Ltd, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England.

Printer Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk

 

1980 Guinness World Record Breakers Collectors Album

 

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Limited

Published by

FKS Publishers Ltd.

Printed by Visa Press Ltd.
Format Approx. 11⅝x8⅝ inches (295x218 mm)
Pages 30
Price New 20p
Introduction Norris McWhirter
Sections

12 ("The Human Being", "Animal Kingdom", "The Natural World", "The universe and Space", "The Scientific World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "The World's Structures", "The Mechanical World", "The Business World", "The Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games and Pastimes")

     

Notes:
  1. This was a sticker collection album, with 300 stickers to collect.

  2. Stickers came in packs of 6 (above left) and as uncut sheets of 9 stickers (above middle).

  3. The collectors' album was also issued free with the Tracy comic and also in Scoop from January 30th 1980 (above right).

  4. A strip advertising the Scoop promotion also appeared in Warlord magazine (right).

 

1980 Guinness Book of Records Diary 1981

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Limited, and But Is It Art?

Published by

But Is It Art? Guildford

Printed by Morrisson & Gibb (Edinburgh)
Format Hardback approx. 8¼x6¼ inches (210x158 mm)

 

1980 More Record Breakers

Publication Date July 1980

Cover

Pale grey background

Price New

£3.50

ISBN

0 563 17846 9

Pages

78

Editor Alan Russell

Published by

British Broadcasting Corporation

35 Marylebone High Street

London W1M 4AA

Printed by Sir Joseph Causton & Sons (Eastleigh) Ltd
Format Hardback 262x200 mm
Notes:
  1. Other spin-offs from the show included a 1981 LP of songs by Roy Castle (right) and a later tribute VHS video from 1994 (above left).

 

 1980 The Guinness Book of Winners and Champions

Publication Date 1980

Cover

White background

Price New

£5.95

ISBN

0 85112 201 9

Pages

256

Editor Chris Cook, Peter Matthews

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Limited, 2 Cecil Court, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex.

Printed by Redwood Burn Limited, Trowbridge and Esher.
Format Hardback c.10x6¾in (255x173mm)

 

1980 The Guinness Book of Most & Least

Editor

Shirley Greenway

Foreword

Norris D. McWhirter

Cover

Black background

ISBN

0 330 26031 6

Price New

75p

Pages

96

Chapters

5 ("The Natural World", "Music and Musicians", "The World of Plants", "Structures" and "The Bigger They Are...")

Published by

Pan Books, Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG

Printed by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk
Format Paperback 197x130 mm

 

1980 The Guinness Book of Animal Marvels

Editor

Shirley Greenway

Foreword

Norris D. McWhirter

Cover

Black background

ISBN

0 330 26030 8

Price New

75p

Pages

96

Chapters

9 ("Monsters of the Deep", "Reigning Cats and Dogs!", "Cold, Clammy - and Dangerous", "Fur ...", "... and Feathers", "Underwater Oddities", "The World in Miniature", "The Not-so-lowly Worm" and "Lords of the Land")

Published by

Pan Books, Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG

Printed by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk
Format Paperback 197x130 mm

 

 1981 The Guinness Book of Winners and Champions

Edition 2
Publication Date 1981

Cover

Multicoloured

Price New

£6.95

ISBN

0 85112 218 3

Pages

256

Editors Chris Cook, Anne Marshall, Peter Matthews

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Limited, 2 Cecil Court, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6DJ.

Printed by Redwood Burn Limited, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Format Hardback c.10x6¾in (255x173mm)

 

1981 The Guinness Book of Amazing People

Editor

Shirley Greenway

Foreword

Norris D. McWhirter

Cover

Red background

ISBN

0 330 26451 6

Price New

95p

Pages

96

Chapters

5 ("Human hyperbole", "Endurance Tests", "Mind over matter", "Skill and daring" and "Don't you wish you'd thought of that...")

Published by

Pan Books, Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG

Printed by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk
Format Paperback 197x130 mm

 

1981 The Guinness Book of Fastest & Slowest

Editor

Shirley Greenway

Foreword

Stan Greenberg

Cover

Purple background

ISBN

0 330 26452 4

Price New

95p

Pages

96

Chapters

6 ("Under their own steam", "On wheels", "On water", "On fins, legs and wings", "Of whips and sneezes and bathtubs" and "In and out of the atmosphere")

Published by

Pan Books, Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG

Printed by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk
Format Paperback 197x130 mm

 

1981 The Guinness Book of Sporting Heroes

Editor

Shirley Greenway

Foreword

Stan Greenberg

Cover

Orange background

ISBN

0 330 26352 8

Price New

£1.25

Pages

96

Chapters

5 ("The Olympians", "Soccer Special", "The American Scene", "Court Games" and "Winter and summer, indoors and out...")

Published by

Pan Books, Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG

Printed by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk
Format Paperback 197x130 mm
Notes We have an interesting miniature booklet from W H Smith which has some text-only records from the Piccolo edition. It measures 107x74 mm.

 

1982 The Guinness Book of Epic Journeys

Editor

Shirley Greenway

Foreword

Norris D. McWhirter

Cover

Blue background

ISBN

0 330 26351 X

Price New

£1.25

Pages

96

Chapters

5 ("The Never-ending Sea", "The Dark Continent", "The Lonely Places...", "Because It's There..." and "The Longest Walk")

Published by

Pan Books, Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG

Printed by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk
Format Paperback 197x130 mm

 

1982 The Guinness Pocket Book of Facts

Publication Date

June 1982

Cover

Light blue background

ISBN 0-85112-223-X

Pages

160

Format Hardback 8½x5.66 inches (216x144 mm)
Copyright Robert Sperry and Guinness Superlatives Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Ltd

2, Cecil Court, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer Hazell Watson & Viney Limited, Aylesbury, Bucks

 

1982 The Guinness Book of Sporting Facts

Published for

Marks and Spencer plc

Cover

Red

ISBN

0-85112-252-3

Price New

 

Pages

192

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 2 Cecil Court, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printed by Redwood Burn Limited, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Format Paperback 297x212 mm
Notes:
  1. 56 sports and games covered in this edition.

 

1983 The Pint Size Guinness Book of Records

Booklets

1. Feasting
2. Historical Facts
3. Big & Small Feats
4. Gory Facts
5. Winners & Losers
6. Football Facts
7. Crime
8. Animal Facts
9. Money
10. Music

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Ltd

Format Approx. 4½x3½ inches (114x90 mm)
Reverse

Notes We also have a bar pump clip advertising these booklets and reminding bar staff to push Guinness sales:

 

1983 The Guinness Book of Souperlatives

Published for

H. J. Heinz Ltd

Cover

White background

ISBN

0 330 28405 3

Pages

96

Chapters

5 ("The Bigger They Are ...", "Music and Musicians", "The World of Plants", "Structures" and "The Natural World")

Published by

Pan Books, Cavaye Place, London SW10 9PG

Printed by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd, Bungay, Suffolk
Format Paperback 197x130 mm

Notes:

  1. Foreword by Norris McWhirter. Edited by Shirley Greenway.

  2. Reprint of the 1980 Piccolo edition, "The Guinness Book of Most & Least".

 

1983 The Guinness Book of Sporting Facts 2nd Edition

Published for

Marks and Spencer plc

Cover

Red

ISBN

0-85112-407-0

Pages

192

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 2 Cecil Court, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printed by Redwood Burn Limited, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Format Paperback 297x212 mm
Notes:
  1. 56 sports and games covered in this edition.

 

1984 Guinness World of Records - Souvenir Brochure

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Printed by Nassus Print and Design (1982) Ltd.
Format Paperback 298x212 mm
Design Robin Wade Design Associates
Photography Peter Chadwick
Notes:
  1. This is the programme for visitors to the Guinness World of Records Museum at the Trocadero in Piccadilly, London.

  2. The Museum closed its doors for the last time in December 1995.

 

1984 Agfa presents Summer of Sport

Published for

Agfa Gevaert

Cover

Red

Price New

Free

Pages

49

Contents

Full Olympic Guide + Wimbledon Tennis + Test Cricket + Open Golf + Powerboat Racing

Compiled by

Guinness Book of Records

Format Paperback 7½x4¼ inches (190x107 mm)
Notes Includes adverts for Agfa Audio and Video tapes, and Gina Campbell's Agfa Bluebird

 

1984 Guinness Video Book - Preparing to meet the Marathon Challenge

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Distributed by Holiday Brothers (Audio & Video) Ltd., 172 Finney Lane, Heald Green, Cheadle, Cheshire
Format PAL VHS Video, 75 Minutes, Colour
Notes "Be guided by world class marathon runners Leslie Watson and Ian Thompson, as well as by J.P.R. Williams and Jane Griffin."

 

1984 The Pint Size Guinness Book of Records

Booklets

1. It's a Woman's World
2. Sport for All (Vol. 1)

3. Sport for All (Vol. 2)

4. High Society

5. Not for the Squeamish

6. Close Encounters with the Animal Kind

7. Fishy Tales

8. On the Water Front

9. That's Entertainment

10. Claims to Fame

11. Foul Play

12. Silver Screen

13. Freaks of Nature

14. Flight into the Past

15. It's a Mad Mad World

16. What's Up Doc?

17. Action Man

18. Time Gentlemen Please

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Ltd

Format Approx. 5¾x3½ inches (146x90 mm)
Reverse

 

 1984 Guinness Book of Sports Facts

Publication Date

October 1984

ISBN

0-85112-424-0

Price New

£6.95

Pages

192

Editor

Stan Greenberg

Format Paperback 11¾x8⅜ inches (297x213mm)

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 2 Cecil Court, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

 

1984 The Guinness Book of Pet Records

Publication Date

October 1984

Price New £7.95
ISBN 0-85112-275-2

Pages

167

Sections 7 ("Dogs", "Cats", "Horses, Ponies and Donkeys", "Rabbits and Hares", "Rodents", "Birds" and "Miscellany")
Format Hardback 10½x7⅝ inches (266x194 mm)
Written By Gerald L. Wood
Editor Beátrice Frei
Copyright Gerald L. Wood and Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 2 Cecil Court, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer Redwood Burn Limited, Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

 

1985 The Guinness Book of Extraordinary Records

Published for

Marks and Spencer plc

Cover

Blue

ISBN

0-85112-801-7

Price New

 

Pages

192

Chapters

8 ("Human Wonders", "Wellie-Wanging and Other Wonders", "Animal Superlatives", "The Natural World", "Building Big", "That's Entertainment", "Transport Records" and "Sporting Records".

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, Great Britain

Printed by Jarrold & Sons Ltd, Norwich, Norfolk
Format Paperback 285x212 mm
Notes:
  1. Twelve modifications in the "stop press" section.

 

1985 The Guinness Record Breakers Club

1985 saw the start of the "Guinness Record Breakers Club". Joining the club cost £2.75 and entitled members to a membership card, club badge, personal log-book, 50p off admission to the Guinness World of Records in Piccadilly and a subscription to the club magazine, which was to be published six times a year.

The first magazine (Winter 1985) introduced Gyles Brandreth as its Editor-in-Chief and included a 1986 calendar featuring Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

7th December 2007

Today we had a very pleasant conversation with Gyles Brandreth about his involvement with the Record Breakers Club. You can read the interview on our people page.

 

 

1986 The Guinness Book of Crazy Records

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Cover

Light Blue

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 6DJ

Produced by

Keith Faulkner Publishing Ltd.

Printed and bound by New Interlitho SPA, Milan, Italy
Format Hardback 206x200 mm
Notes:
  1. Our copy was published by Book Club Associates and Guild Publishing.

  2. The book brings together the records from the Toucan Books above: "Apple Peelers and Coin Stackers", "Bomber Bats and Flying Frogs" and "Bullet Trains and Underwater Tricycles".

 

1986 The Guinness Book of Extraordinary Records New Edition

Published for

Marks and Spencer plc

Cover

Red

ISBN

0-85112-801-7

Price New

 

Pages

192

Chapters

8 ("Human Wonders", "Wellie-Wanging and Other Wonders", "Animal Superlatives", "The Natural World", "Building Big", "That's Entertainment", "Transport Records" and "Sporting Records".

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, Great Britain

Printed by Jarrold & Sons Ltd, Norwich, Norfolk
Format Paperback 285x212 mm
Notes:
  1. Ten modifications in the "stop press" section.

 

1986 Trivial Pursuit

Subtitle

The Authorized Game Book from Guinness ~ Publishers of Genius

Description A book-based version of the popular board game.

ISBN

0-85112-840-8

Price New £12.95
Format Hardback and Paperback books, both c. 10½x10½ inches (267x267 mm)

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Limited and Horn Abbot International Limited

Publisher Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex.
Printed By New Interlitho S.P.A.
Notes:
  1. The game has two parts - a hardback book of 120 quizzes of 25 questions each, and a paperback book with the answers. Six bookmarks (used for multi-player quizzes) are included.

  2. A paperback edition of the book (ISBN: 0-552-13332-9, 200x200 mm) was published by Guinness Superlatives and Corgi Books in 1987.

  3. In the same year, five other editions were produced (pictured below). These were the "Young Players Quiz Book" (ISBN: 0-85112-862-9) and four pocket editions: "Rock and Pop" (ISBN: 0-85112-870-X), "Sport" (ISBN: 0-85112-875-0), "The Movies" (ISBN: 0-85112-880-7), "Genus The Master Quiz" (ISBN: 0-85112-885-8) and "The Omnibus Edition" (ISBN: 0-85112-882-3), a collection of the four pocket editions in one volume produced especially for The Leisure Circle Ltd.

 

1986 Guinness Sports Challenge

Subtitle

A quiz book from the publishers of the Guinness Book of Records

Cover

Green background

ISBN

0-85112-835-1

Price New

£3.95

Pages

128

Sections

72 records quizzes and 6 picture quizzes

Editors

Julian Farino and Chris Rhys

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printed by R. J. Acford Ltd, Chichester, Sussex
Format Paperback 234x175 mm

 

1987 The Guinness Book of Extraordinary Records Revised Edition

Published for

Marks and Spencer plc

Cover

Yellow

ISBN

0-85112-879-3

Price New

£4.99

Pages

192

Chapters

8 ("Human Wonders", "Wellie-Wanging and Other Wonders", "Animal Superlatives", "The Natural World", "Building Big", "That's Entertainment", "Transport Records" and "Sporting Records".

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, Great Britain

Printed by Jarrold & Sons Ltd, Norwich, Norfolk
Format Paperback 285x212 mm
Notes:
  1. Ten modifications in the "stop press" section.

 

1987 Guinness World of Records - The Book of The Show

 

Copyright

Guinness Superlatives Ltd.

Printed by Jarrold & Sons Ltd, Norwich.
Format Paperback 298x212 mm
Design Alan Hamp
Photography John Campbell

Notes:
  1. This is the programme for visitors to the Guinness World of Records Museum at the Trocadero in Piccadilly, London.

  2. The Museum closed its doors for the last time in December 1995.

  3. We also have copies of the programme in French and German - if you know of copies in other languages, please let us know.

 

1987 The Guinness Book of Amazing Records (Scotch Videocassettes)

Published for

3M United Kingdom Plc

Cover

Black background

Price New

Free

Pages

128

Chapters

6 ("TV Records", "Stunts", "Christmas", "Trivia Records", "Entertainments" and "Sports Records").

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd

Format Paperback 6¼x3¾ inches (159x97 mm)

 

1987 Guinness Sports Challenge 2

Subtitle

A Quiz Book from the publishers of the Guinness Book of Records

Cover

Red background

ISBN

0-85112-496-8

Price New

£4.95

Pages

126

Sections

63 records quizzes and 10 picture quizzes

Editors

Julian Farino

Published by

Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printed by R. J. Acford Ltd, Chichester, Sussex
Format Paperback 230x176 mm

 

 1987 Guinness Olympic Games The Records

Subtitle

776BC to AD1988

Cover

Orange with white dust-jacket

Publication Date

September 1987

ISBN

0-85112-897-1 (book has 0-85112-896-3)

Price New

£9.95 ($17.95 in the USA)

Pages

176

Editor

Stan Greenberg

Format Hardback 10½x7¾ inches (267x200mm)
Copyright Stan Greenberg and Guinness Superlatives Limited, 1987

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer R.J. Acford Ltd, Chichester, Sussex.

 

 1987 Guinness Olympic Games The Records

Subtitle

776BC to AD1988

Publication Date

September 1987

ISBN

0-85112-896-3

Price New

£8.95

Pages

176

Editor

Stan Greenberg

Format Paperback 10x7½ inches (260x191mm)
Copyright Stan Greenberg and Guinness Superlatives Limited, 1987

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer R.J. Acford Ltd, Chichester, Sussex.

 

 1987 Guinness Olympic Games The Records (Hyundai Special Edition)

Subtitle

776BC to AD1988

Cover

Yellow with white dust-jacket

Publication Date

September 1987

ISBN

0-85112-897-1 (book has 0-85112-896-3)

Price New

£9.95

Pages

176

Editor

Stan Greenberg

Format Hardback 10½x7¾ inches (267x200mm)
Copyright Stan Greenberg and Guinness Superlatives Limited, 1987

Publisher

Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer R.J. Acford Ltd, Chichester, Sussex.
Notes:
  1. This special Hyundai edition has the same content as the standard hardback edition, but includes a foreword by Mike Adams (Managing Director of Hyundai Car Distributors UK Limited) and has an additional 8 pages advertising Hyundai cars, Judy Simpson and Seoul.

  2. Unlike the standard hardback, the cover is yellow and additionally has the Hyundai logo on the spine.

 

1988 The Guinness Book of Longer Lasting Records

Published for

Duracell UK

Cover

Black and Gold

Pages

93

Chapters

3 ("Personal & Public Lives", "The Natural World" and "Human Achievements".

Published by

Guinness Publishing Ltd, 33 London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printed by Hazell Watson & Viney Ltd., Aylesbury.
Format Hardback 9¾x7 inches (248x178 mm)
Notes:
  1. The "Introduction" is the story of the Guinness Book of Records, and has photographs of Sir Hugh Beaver and Norris McWhirter (pictured with the standard 1988 edition).

 

1988

Woolworths Fascinating Facts Cards

Publication Date

1988

Number

24 Cards in the set

Dimensions Each card is c. 3⅛x2 inches (80x50 mm)
Text "All these facts and more in the new 1989 Guinness Book of Records."

 

Notes:
  1. Each card has a picture and several records from one of 4 categories: "The Living World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "Human Achievements" and "Sports, Games and Pastimes".

 

1989 Guinness World of Records - The 'greatest' show on earth!

Copyright

World of Records Exhibitions Ltd.

Printed by Cradley Print
Format Paperback 298x212 mm
Design Michaelangelo Design Studios
Published by Ian Wolverson-Astroquail Ltd.
Notes:
  1. This is the programme for the Guinness World of Records at the Trocadero in Piccadilly, London. The Museum closed its doors for the last time in December 1995.

  2. We also have a copy of the 1992/1993 brochure (above right), which has no attributions, a copy of the "Information for Schools" binder produced by Sue Rule in 1989 (right), and a copy of the 1992 Educational Resource Pack (far right).

  3. Other museums produced similar souvenir guide books - the one pictured right is a 1989 guide to the museum at the Empire State Building in New York.

 

1990

Bassett Guinness Collectors Cards

 

Publication Date

1990

Number

50 Cards in the set

Dimensions Each card is c. 3x2 inches (75x50 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd.

Notes:
  1. Each card has a cartoon depicting a particular world record. The first card shows the "Bed of Nails" record held by the Reverend Ken Owen of Pontypridd.

  2. The cards and bubblegum were made in Denmark for Barratt, a division of Trebor-Bassett Ltd., Maidstone, England.
     
  3. We also have a full set of Dandy Gum cards produced in Denmark for the Turkish market - these are larger (83x66mm) translucent greaseproof paper "cards".

 

1990 Guinness Book of Records Sporting Diary 1991

Published

1990

Price New

£5.95

Copyright

Guinness Publishing Ltd. and Charles Letts & Co. Ltd.

Published by

Charles Letts & Co. Ltd., Diary House, London, SE1 1DW

Format Hardback 8½x6⅛ inches (216x155 mm)

Notes:

  1. Text from 'The Guinness Book of Records 1990'

 

1991 The Guinness Book of Records (1992 International Edition)

Edition

38

Publication Date

October 1991 Note 2

Cover

Red background

ISBN 0-85112-525-5

Foreword

October 1991, Earl of Iveagh

Pages

704

Chapters 11 ("The Earth and Space", "The Living World", "The Human Being", "The Human World", "Science and Technology", "Building and Structures", "Transport", "The Business World", "The Arts and Entertainment", "Human Achievements" and "Sports and Games")
Format Paperback 7x4.33 inches (178x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

33, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6DJ, England

Printer Cox & Wyman Ltd, Reading

Notes:

  1. "The full international edition of the world's best-selling record book - for the first time in paperback."

  2. This edition contains some revised records compared to the standard hardback edition, so was presumably published slightly later.

 

1991

Guinness World Records Poster Books

Publication Date

November 1991

Covers

Green/Blue, Blue/Purple, Yellow/Green, Blue/Red

ISBNs

1-85724-041-3, 1-85724-042-1, 1-85427-043-X, 1-85427-044-8

Dimensions 14½x10⅝ inches (370x270 mm)
Copyright Victoria House Publishing Ltd.

Publisher

Victoria House Publishing Ltd.

Printed in Italy
Notes

There were four publications in this series:

1. Animals

2. Transport and Technology

3. People, Places and Pastimes

4. Nature

 

1992 The Guinness Book of Records 1492

Subtitle

The World Five Hundred Years Ago

Publication Date

April 1992

Cover

Brown, with dust-jacket

Price New £14.92
ISBN 0-85112-959-5

Pages

192

Chapters 11 ("The World and Beyond", "The Human Being", "Transport", "Exploration and Discovery", "Industry and Commerce", "Science and Technology", "Buildings and Structures", "The Arts and Entertainment", "Sport", "Religion and Popular Belief" and "Rulers and Lawmakers")
Format Hardback 11⅝x7¾ inches (295x197 mm)

Editor

Deborah Manley

Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd
Printer Printer Industria Gráfica S.A., Barcelona

 

1992 The Guinness Book of Records (1993 International Edition)

Edition

39

Publication Date

October 1992

Cover

Pale gold background

ISBN 0-85112-714-2

Pages

704

Chapters 11 ("Earth and Space", "Living World", "Human Being", "Science and Technology", "Buildings and Structures", "Transport", "Business World", "Arts and Entertainment", "Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports & Games")
Format Paperback 7x4.33 inches (178x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

33, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6DJ, England

Printer Cox & Wyman Ltd, Reading

 

1992 Active Bodies Guinness Book of Sports Records 1993

Published for

Adidas

Edition

Sports records from edition 39

Publication Date

1992

Cover

Black background

Pages

192

Format Paperback 7x4⅜ inches (178x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd
Printer Cox & Wyman Ltd, Reading

Note

This book is a reprint of the sports section of the 1993 edition of The Guinness Book of Records

 

 

1993 The Guinness Book of Records (1994 International Edition)

Edition

40

Publication Date

October 1993

Cover

Pink background

ISBN 0-85112-772-X

Pages

704

Chapters 11 ("Earth and Space", "Living World", "Human Being", "Science & Technology", "Buildings & Structures", "Transport", "Business World", "Arts & Entertainment", "Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports & Games")
Format Paperback 7x4.33 inches (178x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

33, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6DJ, England

Printer Cox & Wyman Ltd, Reading

 

1993 The Guinness Book of Records Quiz Book

Publication Date

August 1993

Price New £5.99
ISBN 0-85112-720-7

Pages

127

Sections 10 ("Earth and Space", "Living World", "Human Being", "Science and Technology", "Buildings and Transport", "Business World", "Arts and Entertainment", "Human World", "Miscellaneous Endeavours", and "Sports and Games")
Format Paperback 9¼x5¾ inches (235x146 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

33, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer The Bath Press
Notes:
  1. Editor: Peter Matthews, Writer and Compiler: Maria Morgan.

  2. The cover has 14 different Guinness Book of Records editions - the question on the back cover asks the reader to guess the language of each edition and the year of the English ones.

 

1994 The Guinness Book of Records (1995 International Edition)

Edition

41

Publication Date

October 1994

Cover

White background

ISBN 0-85112-652-9

Pages

704

Chapters 11 ("Earth and Space", "Living World", "Human Being", "Science & Technology", "Buildings & Structures", "Transport", "Arts & Entertainment", "Business World", Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports & Games")
Format Paperback 7x4.33 inches (178x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

33, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6DJ, England

Printer Cox & Wyman Ltd, Reading

 

1994 The New Guinness Book of Sporting Records 1995 (Gillette)

Published for

Gillette

Edition

Sports records from edition 41

Publication Date

October 1994

Cover

White background

Pages

192

Format Paperback 7x4⅜ inches (178x110 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd
Printer Cox & Wyman Ltd, Reading

Note

This book contains records from the Sports section of the The New Guinness Book of Records 1995

Text

With the compliments of Gillette SERIES Special Edition

 

 

1994 The Guinness Gold Club

 

(Image: Russell Hinks)

 

(Image: Russell Hinks)

The Guinness Gold Club was formed in 1994 with the aim of recognising — and providing additional information to — serious collectors of the Guinness Book of Records. To qualify for membership, collectors needed to prove to Guinness that they had 30 or more editions of the book. Guinness Gold Club newsletters (in A5 format) were sent out to members from time-to-time, and we have copies of the first 5. There were also 2 magazines issued in A4 format in Spring and Autumn 1998, and an A4 "Hall of Fame 2000" booklet, containing pictures and details of some collectors. Gold Club members also received a membership card, certificate and mug.

(1998 magazine images courtesy of Howard Bradley)

 

1994 The Guinness Book of Records Diary 1995

ISBN

0-09-178348-8

Price New

£6.99

Copyright

Guinness Publishing Limited

Publisher

Ebury Press Stationery,
Random House,
20 Vauxhall Bridge Road,
London SW1V 2SA.
Printed Printed and Bound in China
Format
Hardback Approx. 6½ x7 inches (165x177 mm)

 

1994 The New Guinness Book of Records Quiz Book

Publication Date

August 1994

Price New £5.99
ISBN 0-85112-635-9

Pages

128

Sections 9 ("The Earth and Space", "The Living World", "Human Being", "Science and Technology", "Buildings and Structures", "Transportation", "Business, Art and Culture", "The Human Community" and "World of Sport")
Format Paperback 9¼x6⅛ inches (235x155 mm)
Editor Brian J. Ford
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

33, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer The Bath Press

 

1995 The Guinness Book of Animal Records

Publication Date

October 1995

Price New £14.99
ISBN 0-85112-658-8

Pages

256

Sections 7 ("Mammals", "Birds", "Reptiles", "Amphibians", "Fishes", "Invertebrates" and "Microbes")
Format Hardback 11¼x7¾ inches (286x197 mm)
Written By Mark Carwardine
Editor Beátrice Frei
Copyright Mark Carwardine

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

33, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex

Printer New Interlitho SpA., Milan

 

1995 The New Guinness Book of Records (1996 International Edition)

Edition

42

Publication Date

October 1995

Cover

Purple background

ISBN 0-85112-018-0

Pages

672

Chapters 11 ("Earth and Space", "Living World", "Human Being", "Science & Technology", "Buildings & Structures", "Transport", "Arts", "Business World", Human World", "Human Achievements" and "Sports & Games")
Format Paperback 7x4⅜ inches (178x112 mm)
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

33, London Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 6DJ, England

Printer Cox & Wyman Ltd.

 

1996 The Guinness Book of Business Records

Publication Date

May 1996

Price New £15.96
ISBN 0-85112-794-0

Pages

224

Chapters 9 ("The biggest companies", "The first businesses", "Invention and innovation", "Wealth", "The workers", "Markets, competition and conflict", "Risk and exploitation", "The key sectors" and "Looking forward, looking back")
Format Hardback 9½x6¼ inches (240x159 mm)
Editor Tom Cannon
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd
Printer The Bath Press, Bath

 

1996 Guinness Book of Records Daily Mail Partwork
 

Produced by

The Daily Mail

Format A4 paper magazine (297x210 mm)
Parts (10)

The Human Being (21/09/1996)

Human Achievement (28/09/1996)

The Living World (5/10/1996)

Earth and Space (12/10/1996)

Transport (19/10/1996)

Science and Technology (26/10/1996)

Well Fancy That (2/11/1996)

Arts and Entertainment (9/11/1996)

Sport One (16/11/1996)

Sport Two (23/11/1996).

Notes:
  1. A ten-part series produced in collaboration with the Daily Mail newspaper to promote the 1997 edition of the Guinness Book of Records.

  2. Each part has 15 pages and an advertisement on the back cover.

  3. On the Monday following the publication of each part, the paper contained some "stories behind the records".

 

1998 The Book of Extremes

Written by

Norris McWhirter

Pages

61

Chapters

5 ("People", "Explosions and Disasters", "Buildings and Travel", "Animals and Plants" and "Sport")

Published

for Tesco Stores Limited by Brilliant Books Ltd, 84-86 Regent Street, London. W1R 6DD

Printed by Cambus Litho Ltd., Scotland
Format Paperback 220x210 mm
Notes:
  1. Other books in this series included: "The Book of Time and Space", "The Book of Animals", "The Body Book", "Back to the Future" and "The Book of Inventions".

 

1998 The Book of Time and Space

Written by

Norris McWhirter

Edited by

Kate Tym

Pages

46

Chapters

5 ("The Universe, The Solar System and The Sun", "The Planets", "Time", "Man's Exploration of Space" and "Lost in Space")

Published

for Tesco Stores Limited by Brilliant Books Ltd, 84-86 Regent Street, London. W1R 6DD

Printed by Cambus Litho Ltd., Scotland
Format Paperback 220x210 mm
Notes:
  1. Other books in this series included: "The Book of Extremes", "The Book of Animals", "The Body Book", "Back to the Future" and "The Book of Inventions".

 

1998 Guinness World Records Calendar 1999

Publication Date

30th September 1998

ISBN 2-86300-103-5
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd.

Publisher

Slow Dazzle Worldwide, 38 Cobbold Road, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 9LW.

Notes:
  1. A month-per-page calendar with pictures and record information on every page.

 

1999 Guinness Amazing Future

Subtitle

The Indispensable Guide to the Next Millennium

Publication Date

March 1999

Price New £15.00
ISBN 0-85112-093-8

Pages

179 + Index

Sections 12 ("Lifestyles", "Work", "Media", "Entertainment", "Defence", "Transport", "Architecture", "Health", "Environment", "Space", "New Sciences" and "Science Fiction")
Format Hardback 12x9 inches (305x228 mm)
Editor Mark Fletcher
Copyright Guinness Publishing Ltd

Publisher

Guinness Publishing Ltd

Printer Printer Industria Grafica, Barcelona
Notes:
  1. The copyright page gives the ISBN as 0-85112-051-2.

 

1999 The Book of Inventions

Written by

Norris McWhirter

Edited by

Kate Tym

Pages

64

Chapters

5 ("Transport", "Weapons and Crime", "Technology and Medicine", Communications and Music" and "Time-line of Inventions")

Published

for Tesco Stores Limited by Brilliant Books Ltd, 84-86 Regent Street, London. W1R 5PA

Printed by Printer Trento S.r.l., Italy
Format Paperback 220x210 mm
Notes:
  1. Other books in this series included: "The Book of Time and Space", "The Book of Extremes", "The Book of Animals", "The Body Book" and "Back to the Future".

 

1999 Sainsbury's Makers of the Millennium Medal Collection
 

Produced by

Sainsbury's plc and Guinness Publishing Ltd.

Format Folder with Silver Sleeve (252x254 mm)
Medals (21) John Harrison, Albert Einstein, Alexander Fleming, Leonardo da Vinci, James Watt, Henry Ford, Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong, Alexander Graham Bell, William Shakespeare, Vincent Van Gogh, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Live Aid, Charlie Chaplin, Jesse Owens, Muhammad Ali, Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Elizabeth I, Bill Gates.

 

Notes:
  1. Coins were collected at Sainsbury's stores, petrol stations and Savacentres. A 4-medal pack is shown above.

  2. A limited number of proof sets in Sterling silver were produced by Pobjoy Mint Limited. Each medal in the set was housed in its own plastic container, and the whole set was presented in a special case.

 

2000 The Book of Extremes 2nd Edition

Edition

Extensively Updated and Amended 2000

Written by

Norris McWhirter and Victoria Cripps

ISBN

1-84221-135-8

Pages

61

Chapters

6 ("People", "Disasters", "Weather", "Buildings and Transport", "Animals and Plants" and "Sport and Entertainment")

Published

for Tesco Stores Limited by Brilliant Books Ltd, 84-86 Regent Street, London. W1R 5RR

Printed by Printer Trento S.r.l., Italy
Format Paperback 220x210 mm

 

2004 The Book of Alternative Records

Publication Date

November 2004

Cover

White

ISBN 1-84358-126-4
Price New £9.99

Pages

260

Format Hardback 7½x4¾ inches (192x121 mm)
Copyright Philip Gould and Ralf Laue

Publisher

Metro Publishing Ltd., London W14 9PB

Printed in Great Britain by CPD
Notes:
  1. Ralf Laue is a record breaker and record collector, and runs the Saxonia Record Club.

  2. In November 2009, Ralf kindly answered a few questions for us; a slightly abridged transcript can be found on our people page.

 

2005 Guinness World Records Sunday Telegraph Series

Produced by

Sunday Telegraph (Australia)

Date Starting 20th February 2005
Format Paper magazine (300x220 mm)
Parts (6)

The Nature of Things

Human Beings

The Modern World

Science and Technology

Arts, Media and Entertainment

Sport

Notes:
  1. A six-part series produced in collaboration with the Sydney Sunday Telegraph newspaper; inserted in copies of the paper across New South Wales.

  2. The first part has 24 pages; the other 5 parts have 16 pages each.

  3. Guinness World Records provided all content. However, the magazines were designed internally by The Sunday Telegraph editorial department.

 

2008 Guinness World Records Calendar 2009

Publication Date

June 2008

ISBN 1-4022-1267-4
Price New £9.99 UK / $11.99 U.S. / $13.99 CAN
Copyright Guinness World Records Limited and Sourcebooks, Inc.

Publisher

Sourcebooks, Inc., P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567-4410

Notes:
  1. Each page of the tear-off calendar has a different record.

 

2008 Getting into Guinness

Subtitle

One Man's Longest, Fastest, Highest Journey Inside the World's Most Famous Record Book

Publication Date

September 2008

Cover

Grey

ISBN 978-0-00-726129-1
Price New £12.99

Pages

300

Format Hardback 8¾x5½ inches (222x140 mm)
Author Larry Olmsted

Publisher

Harper Collins Publishers, 77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8JB

Printed by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc.
Notes:
  1. Larry Olmsted's book details the highs and lows of setting Guinness World Records. The book also documents some of the history of the Guinness World Records story, so is a "must read" for any Guinness collector.

  2. In January 2009, Larry Olmsted kindly agreed to an informal interview with us. An abridged transcript of our interview can be found on our people page.

  3. In May 2009, a paperback edition (ISBN 978-0-00-728425-2, right) was published in the UK, priced at £7.99.

 

2013 Guinness World Records Posters

Publication Dates

May 10th 2013 (Creatures)

June 11th 2013 (Challengers)

Size 36 x 24in (91½ x 61cm)
Copyright Guinness World Records Limited

Publisher

Pyramid International, Leicester, UK

Notes We have the Creatures poster (PP33106, top left) and the Challengers poster (PP33141, bottom left).

 

2019 Guinness World Records 2020 Quiz Book

Publication Date

September 5th 2019

Price New £3.99
ISBN 978-1-912286-98-0

Pages

83

Sections 11 ("Planet Earth", "Animals", "Humans", "Recordology", "Viral Sports", "Spirit of Adventure", "Society", "Robots", "Tech & Engineering", "Arts & Media" and "Sports")
Format Paperback 195x128 mm
Copyright Guinness World Records Limited
Printer Clays Ltd
Notes:

W H Smith exclusive edition

The quiz sections match the chapters in the 2020 edition of Guinness World Records

Introduction: Craig Glenday (Editor-in-Chief)