tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post7631005967362467375..comments2024-03-04T13:18:25.277-05:00Comments on Out Of This World: British Girls' Comics: School Friend Annual 1959KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-56785418949405376902020-06-02T15:02:32.228-04:002020-06-02T15:02:32.228-04:00You will have to buy them. They will all be second...You will have to buy them. They will all be second-hand. eBay would be a good place to start. Hmm. I have just looked and they all seem to be the Annuals rather than the weekly illustrated magazines, most of which would not have survived. I couldn't find any on TradeMe and I know they used to appear there.Laraine Anne Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13869300616419407003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-47979161289009031382020-06-02T02:45:58.434-04:002020-06-02T02:45:58.434-04:00Hi thede comics were my favorite. Do you have a li...Hi thede comics were my favorite. Do you have a link where i can access these ckmics and dowoad the collectiondevotee of chilkur balajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16038476443650558860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-55786744729580385782019-07-31T17:54:33.245-04:002019-07-31T17:54:33.245-04:00I like your analysis, Unknown. Thanks for your com...I like your analysis, Unknown. Thanks for your comment.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-21180204194547294292019-04-26T08:50:31.205-04:002019-04-26T08:50:31.205-04:00I have three Chums annuals, which my father enjoye...I have three Chums annuals, which my father enjoyed in his terraced house in Moston, Manchester. Many of the stories are about public schools, probably set in the time of the writers' youth, many others are artificially historical ones, with a few cowboy stories. One simple explanation is that public schools, the wild west and adventures on the high seas all provided scope for exciting events which would not happen in Moston, Manchester or most other places in England. This is the point of the adventure story. I think that School Friend maintained an exceptional standard in treating its readers as intelligent and mature and imaginative. The comics for boys at that time generally contained stories about stereotypical masculinity, with very little display of intelligence. Comics for younger children, such as the Beano, were set almost entirely on bleak council estates, and, with a sort of grotesque emancipation, both boys and girls were bullying thugs with no interest in learning in any form. Anyone, such as Walter, who took an interest in learning and anything artistic, would be brutally punished, responding with a 'simpering shriek'. <br />I am trying to agree with you but rambling as I do it. :-).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257608681648560628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-8788398147366677312018-06-06T16:49:37.317-04:002018-06-06T16:49:37.317-04:00The School Friend (and the Girls' Crystal, com...The School Friend (and the Girls' Crystal, come to that) were illustrated weekly magazines for girls rather than comics. My sisters and I read both and I suppose we must have taken turns (as we did for the marrow bone in the weekly roast mutton joint) because I can't remember any quarrels about who should get it first. I'm not sure why the male writers of these weeklies mostly chose posh schools (Wendy Marsh went to a private college, where she got to row on the river) but ours was definitely a solid working class family. In an age when women of her generation didn't work (in New Zealand anyway) she worked full-time just so she and my father had enough money to put food on the table and clothes on our backs. No time off for school holidays either. We mostly spent these on our own at home, for which some nosy neighbour these days would almost certainly report my parents.Laraine Anne Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13869300616419407003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-20665215741870287172017-01-22T13:18:09.709-05:002017-01-22T13:18:09.709-05:00I bang the drum by the way =whichever country we a...I bang the drum by the way =whichever country we are in<br />if you have a woman over 70 in your family =make them go for a mammogram.<br /><br />It was a wake up call so am passing my annuals to my granddaughters!<br />But can still walk the dog a couple of miles...!<br />English GrandmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-21901043656280631772016-12-07T21:42:44.562-05:002016-12-07T21:42:44.562-05:00Sorry to hear about your illness English Grandma -...Sorry to hear about your illness English Grandma - I hope you're making a full recovery. It's great to hear from someone who read these British girls' comics as a youngster.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-33831456983155258232016-07-17T14:06:28.858-04:002016-07-17T14:06:28.858-04:00sorry had to go...
Worrals -I think Biggles came ...sorry had to go...<br /><br />Worrals -I think Biggles came after WW1? Worrals was definitely WW2 as she was Worrals of the WAAF and published in the late 1940s. I have four of them picked up in Charity Shops<br /><br />Many people collect the E.J. Oxenham books all about folk dancing some of the rarer editions cost £600but the market has fallen.<br /><br />(Well lets face it after this stupid Brexit vote everything has fallen I wonder of the ravens are still in the tower!)<br />English grandmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-26421426528560083032016-07-16T16:50:22.566-04:002016-07-16T16:50:22.566-04:00Isn't Tyrolean Penfriend in one of the annuals...Isn't Tyrolean Penfriend in one of the annuals? In the 50s?<br /><br />Amazon sell quite a few of the annuals as do Abe books.<br /><br />My grandchildren have taken most of mine.<br /><br />Have been out of the loop due to unexpected breast cancer but the old girl is still here!<br />English grandmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-54769112131026703102016-03-23T20:59:30.268-04:002016-03-23T20:59:30.268-04:00Hi Annie, I may have one or two of the Girls' ...Hi Annie, I may have one or two of the Girls' Crystal Weeklies but I'm pretty sure they are pre-1950s, when it was just text stories and before it became a comic. The actual weekly comics are so rare... I'll look at the ones I have and post, but very unlikely to be the one you are looking for I'm afraid.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-48520515432509678102016-03-18T20:14:14.594-04:002016-03-18T20:14:14.594-04:00Hi KB:
Would you happen to have any Girls Crystal ...Hi KB:<br />Would you happen to have any Girls Crystal weeklies? The story in particular is titled "My Tyrolean Penfriend". That title has stuck in my head since the Fifties, and if you could find it, could you please post it on your page? These treasures are just that - TREASURES. Thanks KB.AnneCherchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11400848472527194474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-16282797568262053402016-03-09T13:22:41.587-05:002016-03-09T13:22:41.587-05:00I'm very happy that these stories brought back...I'm very happy that these stories brought back such great memories for you, Annie. Thank you for sharing your response.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-73981424914467728512016-03-06T23:39:39.386-05:002016-03-06T23:39:39.386-05:00I am so glad I found this site. Used to read Schoo...I am so glad I found this site. Used to read School Friend &Girls Crystal in the Fifties while still back in Cyprus. Couldn't wait for the next issues. How I would love to own some of those weeklies now. I acquired some of the annuals from e-bay. They don't make stories like these any more. Every time I read them reminds me of my blissful childhood back in Cyprus. Thank you for posting these treasures. AnneCherchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11400848472527194474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-90303855010818876872015-02-27T07:13:55.450-05:002015-02-27T07:13:55.450-05:00Hi English Grandma from an ex-pat English Grandpa ...Hi English Grandma from an ex-pat English Grandpa - I've never seen the Worrals books. The Daily Mail Annuals look interesting - will try to pick one up next time I'm in the Old Country. My granddaughter has been reading lots of Harvey comics (Casper the Friendly Ghost, Little Audrey, Little Dot, Richie Rich, etc.) and she's graduated onto Archie Comics. She's also read some of my British girls' annuals of various types - she likes the text stories as well as the comics. I agree that there's nothing much in the way of comics for younger girls nowadays except maybe some kinds of manga.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-8077635953245429742015-02-27T07:09:12.598-05:002015-02-27T07:09:12.598-05:00If you are willing to pay the shipping, you can fi...If you are willing to pay the shipping, you can find these annuals on eBay UK. There's plenty on there right now. The books don't cost much but the shipping will probably be quite a bit.For example, there is a copy of the book this story is from on eBay UK right now for £2.99 but the shipping to India is £9.50. That's about 300 Rupees for the book and over 900 Rupees for the postage.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-86763122527329901182015-02-27T07:02:37.173-05:002015-02-27T07:02:37.173-05:00Glad you enjoyed this, Sonia. There's one comi...Glad you enjoyed this, Sonia. There's one comic with Mimi the Mesmerist on eBay UK at the moment:<br /><br />http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-x-JUNE-SCHOOL-FRIEND-COMIC-MAGAZINE-1965-66-MIMI-THE-MESMERIST-ADVENTURE-/231486064111?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item35e5a505efKBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-59307616611093287662015-02-25T06:00:56.361-05:002015-02-25T06:00:56.361-05:00How lucky, very lucky to stumble on this site. Ple...How lucky, very lucky to stumble on this site. Please do you know anything about Mimi the Mesmerist? There were a number of Mimi titles. I am quite desperate to lay my hands on these Mimi titles.<br />Thank you<br />Sonia<br />Soniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00323754160658547106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-21262437390403754242014-10-23T14:40:42.533-04:002014-10-23T14:40:42.533-04:00my elder granddaughter is reading my School Friend...my elder granddaughter is reading my School Friend Annuals and Girls Crystal and is about to start The Girl. No one these days produces stories for pre teenage girls tho the Girl was for early teens with articles on careers.<br />Has anyone tried Worrals books? The female equivalent of Biggles. Or Daily Mail Annuals?<br /><br />English GrandmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-36216300368880085922014-03-08T12:34:25.251-05:002014-03-08T12:34:25.251-05:00I remember sue day comics and talk abt it to the y...I remember sue day comics and talk abt it to the younger gen.i felt i was one of the characters back then.i wish i could get at least one copy to see why i stiil remember these books even now after 50 odd yrs!!<br />devi shivdas,coimbatore,indianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-81831751726617522282013-04-21T09:56:49.607-04:002013-04-21T09:56:49.607-04:00I'm hoping to resume blogging in the summer - ...I'm hoping to resume blogging in the summer - been a hectic 12 months with no free time. I will take you up on that offer of scans. The British material on my blog gets a lot of traffic so there are plenty of people out there interested whom I'm sure would like to see more. I'll be back in touch.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-67083405349631156892013-04-21T09:54:44.128-04:002013-04-21T09:54:44.128-04:00Hi English Grandma - note that I said included ...Hi English Grandma - note that I said included 'aspiring'. Thanks for your comments!KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745482563627003570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-3901941860275912082013-04-13T17:01:48.290-04:002013-04-13T17:01:48.290-04:00By the way you are wrong. The School Friend was no...By the way you are wrong. The School Friend was not aimed at upper and middle classes. We all used to have it at school -an ordinary Secondary modern school in rural Hampshire. Nothing like a session of learning Shakespeare to send you off in the playground for the latest adventure of Princess Anita!<br /><br />You have no idea how poor people were in the 40s and early 50s. I lived on a country estate after the war (grandaughter of the Head Gardener)but I do not remember the 'daughters' of the house taking the School Friend when home from Boarding School but we estate children did.<br /><br />anonymous English grandmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-4861685588250017022013-04-13T16:53:26.779-04:002013-04-13T16:53:26.779-04:00another source of 'interest' of this time ...another source of 'interest' of this time in England is the Childrens Foundation' Films. The Enid Blyton Famous Five in particular. As for their dialogue, my grandaughters are quite amazed! But what fun to be reminded of the times when we could all roam the woods and hills, climb trees, fall in the river etc. I lived next to an army camp but we were never restricted and dodged gamekeepers, saw the gypsies. Things my grandchildren will never do.<br /><br />Perhaps having been born with bombs dropping on us every night gave us an added sense of freedom?<br /><br />Anonymous English grandmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-44388989219883569452013-03-29T04:07:29.764-04:002013-03-29T04:07:29.764-04:00KB: Sadly your profile is not available via Blogge...KB: Sadly your profile is not available via Blogger, so I can't contact your personally. More sadly, in the light of the comments above from around the world, your blog appears to have come to a standstill. I have quite a few old British annuals (girls' and boys'), including some with which I was associated in an editing and writing capacity in the 1960s. Please contact me if you would like some occasional help with the supply of scans. The annuals with their complete stories are, of course, ideal sources of British material, given that the weekly comics ran mostly serials over many weeks while the digest-sized "pocket libraries" ran their stories over 64 pages. Chap O'Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04404176810063857291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1502701005570169613.post-8689578223402721702012-11-19T14:36:06.829-05:002012-11-19T14:36:06.829-05:00If you really want to get your hands on these annu...If you really want to get your hands on these annuals -then try the English Oxfam shops. I recently saw several in one priced at £4 a book. (don't know what that is in dollars)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com