Comics UK

dandy mad wrote:
I like to look through before I buy if I don't like I don't buy

That's fair enough.

Smiths should be stocking them. This is the sort of problems that Egmont had with their exclusive Classic Comics several years ago. Not good is it?

I was in Deptford flea market yesterday and one stallholder had a box of Charles Buchan's Football Monthlies from around 1958-1961 in superb condition. In the same box were several copies of Classics In Pictures which looked like a UK version of Classics Illustrated. They were in superb condition too although a couple had been taped inside where the centre pages had come loose from the staples. I looked at them a few times but finally decided I didn't want them having decided some time ago to cut down on my purchasing for reasons of space. Did I pass up a goldmine? According to Gifford only about a dozen issues were published and there were about seven in the box. There were a couple of UK Classics Illustrated titles too and I noticed a 1952 date in the back of one.

Those 'Classic in Pictures' titles are really collectible Steve - I'd certainly have bought them! It's worth remembering that most issues were subsequently reprinted with new covers under the title 'Famous Stories in Pictures'.

Not so sure about the Football Monthlies though.

- Phil Rushton

I have been in the process of buying landmark issues of comic titles. Yesterday, I missed out on bidding on the Dandy's 1000th issue (funds were a bit low after my holiday break.)

Hopefully, it should turn up again soon.

I haven't bought any British comics for more than six weeks! This is quite a long break for me but I find I go through phases moving between British and American titles and at the moment it's USA all the way. Also, is it me or is the price on eBay of some British comics with their gifts going up quite fast at the moment? Phil Comics sold a Nutty No. 1 with the free space dust for £165 a couple of weeks back... that's £165!

the price of british comics is getting ridiculous now & i an not bothered at all about free gifts all the ones from beano & dandy in the last few years went in the bin or to kids of friends .

Yeah, my nephew was here a few weeks ago and found one of the "free" gifts (they're not really free, their cost is accounted for in the cover price), asked if he could open and play with it. I said yes. Sadly, none of my nephews read comics as far as I know. I've never had them ask for a read of my Beano.

Nutty comic no. 1 with free space dust powder for £165 - that's a snip, considering what Cor!! comic no. 1 with free powdered drink is currently going for - £250... may go for more as there's still nearly two days left to bid. Must be some thirsty bidders out there!

250 quid for the debut COR!!---this notion would have blown my mind had I known this, back in distant 1970!

Thunder annual for £3.95 and a jet annual for the same price - sure they were worth it but trying to be good!

ISPYSHHHGUY wrote:250 quid for the debut COR!!---this notion would have blown my mind had I known this, back in distant 1970!

G-U-L-P! I threw all my old Cor!s on a bonfire along with Look-Ins..mind you I cut out the Noble Timeslip strips before doing so. WHY? Who thought UK comics would ever be of interest to anyone??

Nutty number 1 going for such a high amount really? I've seen these go for 30-50 quid with the free gift as for COR! that's a shock!

standby4action wrote:

ISPYSHHHGUY wrote:250 quid for the debut COR!!---this notion would have blown my mind had I known this, back in distant 1970!

G-U-L-P! I threw all my old Cor!s on a bonfire along with Look-Ins..mind you I cut out the Noble Timeslip strips before doing so. WHY? Who thought UK comics would ever be of interest to anyone??

A lot of comics either met that fate or got sent for recycling (either during the war or in more modern times). I guess it serves to increase the value of the ones that survive.

the ones that survive, you say. That's got me thinking. Just think: how many Beano no.1 issues survive now in very fine condition, never mind the free gift that came with it. Not many. Is it 25 known copies? How can that be allowed? I know we're a small community that exists, but surely, with a combined effort such a community can keep alive the history of comics. And I don't mean in the way of cyber means, I mean in the sense of the physical comic that you can hold in your hands and read. Surely, among us purists, we can keep that dream alive: have a centre wherein any British comic that was ever published is available to physically read - a library of some kind that's accessible to any body in the world. Am I being too ambitious to realize a great museum dedicated to British comics where any one could access any British comic that was published from the beginning? My ambition is to collect every known comic that was published in the 1970's (purely for nostalgic reasons) but then someone will have the same ambition for the 60's, 50's, 40's, 80's and so on. So, together, such individuals or groups may meet up and arrange such a fantastic combination of British comic publications that would transcend any comic fair that's ever been known. But, what after my death? What happens to my vast collection? I would love no other than it to be transferred to some organisation that would nurture it and integrate certain rare items into its great museum for prosperity. Just think, I reiterate, how many Beano no. 1 issues were published? Was it quarter of a million? And, now, only 25 copies are known to exist!! How many with their original free gift? Let's be proactive about this passion in our lives, don't let comics die.

The only known Beano number 1 with its whoopee mask was sold in 1999 it's the second from bottom on this list
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