OCT. -DEC.,

1943

No. 14.

Vol. 1.

Printed and published by Wm. H. Gander, P. 0. Box 60, Transcona, Manitoba, Canada .

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-- In This Number -- Artists of the Golden Era

There Was Magic In Their Names Papers of the Post-1918 Period---Part 2

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EVERY AGE has its gods during this decade: the Aldine and the sentimentalist, cherish­ and Henderson libraries, "Nug­ ing the memory of the books gets," "Boys' Champion Story which brought colour and Paper," "Big Budget," "Boys' romance to his own youth is Leader/' ''Jester," "Boys' Friend," naturally biased in their favour. "Marvel," "Union] ack,""Pluck," So at the risk of appearing pre­ "Boys' Herald," "Boys' Realm," judiced in favour of my own "Gem," 11Magnet1" etc., all fresh boyhood idols, I venture ro and vigorous, untouched in chose assert that the period from 1900 blissful days by the blight of the to 1910, so often referred ro as 1914/18 conflid which was des­ the Golden Age, is the out­ tined to end so many of them. standing period in the history Compared with these, the pres­ of modern boys' literature. No ent-day boys' papers published comparison is intended with prior ro the war, particularly the the older boys' journals and fantastic rubbish spewed from romances, misnamed Penny the house of Thomson, seem Dreadfuls by the bigoted who very poor stuff indeed. condemned the whole for the After the first thrill of seeing worst faults of the few. Indeed, his old favourites once again, comparison is impossible for the the sentimentalist usually finds old Dreadfuls were essentially chat the stories have lost their produds of a more leisurely age, grip and no longer stir his blood varying widely in conception as of old but the illustrations and merit, whereas the modern have become far more interest­ boys' papers bear the scamp of ing and the desire to know more mus produdion. Thus the early of the personalia behind them years of the present century may grows. Unfortunately, not a lot be regarded as the transition is known of the artists them­ period when the individuality selves but a brief survey of their of the old combined with com­ adivities may be of interest to mercial enterprise of the new to collectors. produce papers of range and quality unsurpassed by any since FIRST and foremost comes the produced. evergreen Robert Prowse who Consider the many finepapers started in the far off 'sixties which appeared or were running illustrating "Black Bess," "Char-

PAGE 160 By JOHN G-ULDBN ERA MEDCRAFT

ley Wag," "Blueskin" and many Turpin" and "Claude Duval" more and who was still active in Libraries. 1920. From 1895 to 1910 he was principal Aldine artist and his O F THE MA Y ARTISTS of cover illustrations of the Claude varying merit who devoted their Duval Library are works of art talents to boys' literature of the of their class, correct to the past hundred years, the greatest smallest detail of Cavalier cos­ were the grand Henderson tume. He illustrated many of artists John Proctor (Puck) and • the covers of "Dick Turpin," W. Boucher. Their fine work "Robin Hood," "Jack Sheppard," appeared in the "Boys' Cham­ "Red Rover," "Spring Heeled pion Story Paper," "Nuggets" Jack," "True Blue," and the later and the final "Giantland" re­ issues of "Tip Top" and "Detec­ prints of the period but all jllus­ tive Tales." Prowse's best work trations were reproduc1ions of was done between 1900 and 1910 woodcuts from "Young Folks" but he turned out some poor of an earlier day so with regret stuff in later years, probably we pass on. through necessity rather than Another notable Henderson choice, but reverted to his best artist was Fritz Braun, a natur­ in the coloured covers of the alized German who developed "BuffaloBill Novels" of post-war his latent ability in the "Young years. Although exclusively an Folks" Literary Tournament, a Aldine artist, Prowse illustrated training ground which produced a few numbers of "Pluck" for many talented men and women, the Amalgamated Press in 1909. and later became a staff artist. F. W. Boyington, who was His early work appeared in responsible for most of the other "Nuggets" and the "Boys' Cham­ cover illustrations, had a similar pion" and is seen at its best in style to Prowse with whom he is the fine coloured covers of the S:)metimes confused but lacked "Wild West Library." Without the latter's individual touches, being quite so versatile or finished both good and bad. His work as Prowse he had a pleasing style is invariably signed, sometimes and l, for one, liked his work in full but more often initials better. Braun was afterwards on only and the best examples the editorial staff of the "South are to be found in the "Dick London Press" but had an un-

PAGE 161 PAGE162 THE STORY PAPER COLLECT OR OCT.·DEc .. 1943 fortunate time during the last latter paper he created a humor­ war on account of his German ous character named Dreamy antecedents. He died around Daniel who regularly each week 1921-22. fell asleep in circumstances which induced a ridiculous Phil Ebbutt was responsible dream adventure with the awak­ for the exrra illustrations to the ening as an anti-climax. l recall final Henderson reprints of one such adventure which never '"Giantland" and similar stories. fails to raise a chuckle at the He copied Proctor's style very mere thought. At the srart of well and the youngsters liked Lloyd George's Old Age Pension them better until their immarure scheme Dreamy Daniel falls judgment grew more discerning. asleep reading about it and Ebbutt illustrated the covers of dreams that he visits countless the short-lived "Rob Roy Lib­ Post Offices in numberless dis­ rary" and many of the "Nugget" guises and amasses a huge pile and "Lion" Libraries, while his o of money only to be aroused to earlier work can be f und in stern reality by his landlady with " uggets" and the "Boys' Cham­ a bill for overdue room rent pion." Sound but lacking in in her hand. Nonsensical, of versatility, he was at his best course, but funny. Dreamy in school story illustrations. Daniel outlived Henderson's, Two other widely dissimilar and first Hearst and later the Henderson artists come to mind, Amalgamated Press tried to con­ one whose human subjects were tinue his somnolent adventures lean and angular, hungry look­ via another artist, but the ing individuals with prominent George Davey touch was lack­ Adam's apples, yet attractive in ing and Dreamy Daniel expired. their way; the other with a oMIC PAPERS of 1900-10 style reminiscent of the old faker C were things of joy and far more artists-short stocky characters, adult than their modern infan­ almost dwarfish, invariably clad tile prototypes which, to be quite in what appeared to be rough fair, are more suitable for chil­ tweeds. Who these two artists dren. What old boy can ever were l could never discover. forget Airy Alf and Bouncing Then George Davey, primarily Billy whose adventures ran a comic artist, whose work ap­ throughout the eleven year run peared frequently in "Scraps," of the "Big Budget," Happy Ike, "Pictorial Nuggets," "Comic Gloomy Gus and the Bunsey Life" and "Lot-o-fun." In the Boys in the "Jester," Happy OcT.-DEc .. 1943 THE STORY PAPER COLLECTOR PAGE 163

Harry and Neglecl:ed Jim in their novitiate on the staff of "Comic Cuts," Professor Radium comic papers. in "Puck" and, above all, the evergreen Weary Willie and THE Amalgamated Press pa­ Tired Tim in "Chips." The pers or, to be exact, the papers late Tom Browne created Willie afterwards controlled by this and Tim and was paid fourteen giant combine, introduced and pounds for each weekly front developed from crudity to com­ page of six pictures. After a petence many artists of varying few years his creations became ability. None reached the pin­ something of an obsession and nacle of their profession bur all Browne began to dream of them knew their job and did it well. -they got on his nerves-so he As boys we recked little of dropped them and another ar­ artistic technicalities, of line and tist carried on in his stead. Bur shade, depth and background­ the foundation laid by the arr we wanted thrilling, dramatic of Tom Browne lasted and ro­ and humorous illustrations de­ day, despite rigours and restric­ picting rhe characters and inci­ tions of wartime, Weary Willie dents with reasonable skill and and Tired Tim survive, purile accuracy. And this, brightened travesties of their former selves by the rosy glow of boyhood bur still running after 45 years. memories, is all that the senti­ To ascertain the identity of mentalist seeks today. the majority of the old comic As a purely personal expres- paper artists is sion of opinion, difficulr,forrheir 1 rare Arthur work was rarely This article, written in Eng­ Clarke and J. signed - r hat land at about the same time Abney Cum­ stage of compar­ "Writers and Illustrators" mings as the out­ ative affluence in our last issue was being standing Harms­ had nor yet been printed in Canada, is along worrh artists of reached, and somewhat similar lines to Mr. the period. only the style H. A. Puckrin's contribution. Clarke illustra­ affords c 1 u es However, as Mr. Medcraft ted widely dif­ ro the identity. writes of artists only and ferent types of But it is certain covers more territory, it has stories in the that many well been thought desirable to "Boys' Friend," known b 1 ack print it in this issue, rather "Boys' Realm" and white artists than hold it over until later. and "Boys' Her- of today served ald" from David PAGE 16 4 THE STORY PAPER COLLECTOR OCT -DEC .. 1943

Goodwin's Lancashire mill yams papers, notably "Jack, Sam and and the Ching Lung series by Pete's Quest" and "Circus Pete" Sidney Drew to "Circus fed" which ran serially in the "Boys' and other stories of the sawdust Friend," the Five Comrades nng and school tales galore. series an Englishman, Scotsman, In "Pluck" his illustrations to Irishman, \Velshman and a Jap Harry Belbin's "Captain, Cook in "Pluck" and in the same paper and Engineer" series aroused the Tom, Dick and Harry, and Rob, youth of 1905 to a pitch of Ra and Rupert, two variations hilarious excitement on pub­ of the same American, British lishing day, while the cover and Japanese alliance, unthink­ illustrations to the early Sr. able combinations nowadays. Jim's stories in the halfpenny Cummings illustrated numerous series of the "Gem" will be other serials ar.d complete remembered with affection by stories for other authors in all who knew them in the old various papers. days. Clarke also illustrated the "Magnet" for a few years from THE \"VORK of the brothers, No. 40 onwards and virtually Val and Willis Reading, ap­ died in harness while actually peared in most of the Harms­ engaged on a drawing for the worrh papers. Val, the more paper. prolific,excelled in school stories although to a casual observer J. Abney Cummings had a his drawings must have conveyed distinctive and unmistakable the impression that life in style and it was mainly due to a public school was an un­ his fine work that the Jack, Sam ending round of frolic and bois­ and Pete series in the "Marvel" terous hilarity. This lighter vein attained such a great measure of can be detected throughout the popularity. His firstdrawings for greater part of his work and it this series appeared in o. 9, "Comrades True," and the is for this reason that his serious illustrations did not alwavs strike second in No. 22, "The Pilot Gang." From thence onwards to the right note. The last I saw of Val's work was in the "Marvel" o. 803, the illustrations of around 1918 when Sidney which he drew but a few days before his death in May, 1919, Drew's Calcroft School stories were reprinted. Cummings missed less than half a dozen issues. His association Willis Reading, more restrained with S. Clarke Hook was con­ in style, covered a wider range tinued in other stories and of stories than his brother al- OcT.-DEC.• 1943 THE STORY PAPER COLLECTOR PAGE 163

though not such a good artist. penny Marvel," two I remember He illustrated many comic paper best being "The Secret of the serials including Hubert Trelaw­ Haunted Palace" and "The ney's "House on the Heath" and Deathless Horseman," the Cap­ "The Cruise of the Octopus" in tain Handyman series in "Pluck" ''Chips" and numerous other and a few issues of the "Mag­ stories in various papers. At first net," while from 1908 until 1913 he signed his work ''W. R." but he covered the Tom Sayers series later, possibly ro avoid confusion of boxing stories in the "Mar­ with another artist with the same vel." In 1909 his long associa­ initials, changed to "Willis." He tion with the "Gem," broken illustrated many of the earliest only by a period of service Jack, Sam and Pete stories in the during the last war, commenced "lvlarvel" and at one time and was only ended with the appeared likely to carry on extind:ion of the paper in as the regular artist but the 1939. advent of Abney Cummings Fred Bennett, the antithesis altered that. of Macdonald, had a long run as Harmsworth artist. He illus­ R. J. MACDO ALD, whose trated the very first Jack, Sam work can be found in every and Pete story, "The Eagle of paper of the period, was con­ Death," with atrocious sketches nect:ed with the Harmsworth which, fortunately for the suc­ papers from their inception un­ cess of later srories, were not til the present war brought so repeated. His work, almost in­ many to an end in 1939-40. A variably signed in full, improved sound and reliable artist with a considerably later and was at its rather monotonous stvle. which best in ad:ion themes -a jungle varied little throughout his long mix-up, a free fight or some­ career, he could be relied upon thing catastrophic- and when­ ro turn out decent illustrations ever Sexton Blake departed for widely different stories but on a tropical quest Bennett's he occasionallv made a bad slip. drawings would record the high­ I recall in a boxing yam Mac­ lights. I liked Bennett at his donald had the contestants rest­ besr but his work resembled a ing in adjoining corners, an ob­ cocktail-you would either ex­ vious mistake as the average perience a feeling of warmth schoolhoy knows. He illustrated and satisfaction or get a several of the early Jack, Sam headache for the rest of the and Pete stories in the "Half- evening. As late as 1939 I saw PAGE166 THE STO RY PAPER COLLECTOR OaT.·D Ec .. 1943 his work in the short-lived The very first front page "Wild West Weekly." illustration to the old "Boys' Friend" in 1895 was by T. W. Hutton Mitchell emerged Holmes and from then onwards rather later as a Harmswonh his work appeared regularly in artist and his first illustrations the journals-the "Boys' Friend," of note were for rhe halfpenny "Boys' Realm," "Boys' Herald" series of the "Gem" in 1907, and the "Big Budget." It is not commencing with o. 20 to the found so frequently in the com­ end of the series and the new plete story pai:-ers although he series up to No. 30. He also illustrated many of the early illustrated the "Magnet" up to Sexton Blake yams in the No. 39. Although Mitchell's "Union Jack." Holmes' early drawings are almost devoid of efforts were rather crude but he background, he managed to improved considerably later and present his characters in greater although covering a wide range variety and individuality than of stories he was at his best in many of his brother artists could school tales. His association with contrive. Yet he was rarely used Henry St. John in the fondly by the Amalgamated Press in remembered St. Basil's school later papers and I can only stories will linger long in the recall seeing his work in a few memories of old boys of 1900-5. issues of the "Gem" around No. ISO and in the "Boy's Fred Holmes, a more mature Journal" in 1913. artist with a forceful style, did a lot of work for the "Big Budget" Warwick Reynolds, one of the but I cannot trace it in other very few illustrators of boys' papers. He mpy have been a literature who achieved real relative of T. W. but nothing fame in art, carried on when definite is known about him. Hutton Mitchell finished and his first spell as a "Gem" artist THE CAREER of G. M. Dod­ ended at No. 120. During this shon ran parallel with that of period other artists had lent a T. W. Holmes. He started about hand including Val Reading and the same time and covered an R. J. Macdonald before the latter equally wide range of stories in became the regular artist from the same papers but rarely illus­ No. 121. In 1916 the order was trated school tales. Of the many reversed : Macdonald left the stirring stories of adventure staff and Reynolds took his place illustrated by Dodshon I recall for the duration of the war. particularly those thrilling but OcT.-DEc .. 1943 THE STORY PAPER COLLECTOR PAGE 167

misleading war epics, "Britain in various papers. Harry Lane, Arms," "Britain Invaded," "Sri.. another all round artist of the tain's Revenge" and "Kaiser or period, did a lot of work for the King." It was in "Britain's '"Boys' Friend," "Herald," and Revenge," l think, that the over­ "Realm," and, jointly with H. M. zealous inventor of a Frank Lewis, he was about the best of Reade airship was restrained by the many artists who shared in frantic humanitarian pleas from the Sexton Blake illustrations. flying over Berlin and destroy­ Vincent Daniels started rather ing the city with bombs dropped earlier and the greater part of by hand. Some hopes, as modern his work was done tor the half­ air war has shown. penny series of the "Union Jack," "Pluck" and "Marvel" H. M. Lewis, another prolific but he occasionally illustrated Harmsworth artist, started with the later issues of these papers. the Aldine Co. and his early work for "True Blue" and the C. H. Chapman of the "Mag­ "O'er Land and Sea Library" are net" did not come to the fore best forgotten. With the Amal­ until 1912.'3 but his early work gamated Press he corrected his appeared occasionally in other anatomical misconceptions and papers from 1907 onwards. For turned out a lot of creditable the "Big Budget" he illustrated work but it is his pictorial con­ several short stories and a series ception of Sexton Blake which of football articles by Howard is best remembered. In addition Spencer and Joe Bache of Aston to the "Union Jack," Lewis Villa and other prominent foot­ illustrated several Sexton Blake ballers of the day. serials and numerous other stories in the "Boys' Friend" and THE WORK of numerous "Boys' Herald." In 1913 he fol­ lesser artists appeared at inter­ lowed R. J. Macdonald as illus­ vals in various papers but with trator of the Tom Sayers boxing the exception of Hayward and series in the "Marvel" to the Wakefield none achieved any finish. prominence in later years. But there were also two fine artists E. E. Briscoe was primarily a whose identities remain, to sports artist and his work is me at least, a mystery. First, chiefly found in the "Boys' W. M. B., who started in the Realm" but he illustrated many Aldine "Garfield Boy's Journal" school and other stories. in­ and later did a lot of work for cluding Sexton Blake yarns, for the "Boys' Leader" and the ''Big PAGE 168

Budget," including fresh illus­ trations to the re-issue of Har­ rison's "Black Bess" in the latter paper. Second, the illustrator of MY EARLIEST recollection many fine school series in of an Amalgamated Press paper "Pluck" -Jack North's Wycliffe concerns an old lady - and School yarns, the humorous "Illustrated Chips." The old Specs and Co. series by H. lady occupied a bed-sitting room Clarke Hook and the original in a working-class street with a St. Jim's stories by Charles single entry-the street in which Hamilton. \Vho were these two I SQent my first few years. fine artists ? She had been a nurse with How little we really know of Florence Nightingale in the the men, authors and artists, Crimean war -ye gods!-to whose work appealed to our think that I had a link with boyish imagination and influ­ that war of nearly one hundred enced us far more than we years ago! I must be getting on! realized. Little wonder that now, Still she, even at the time of in maturity, we seek to recap­ which I write, was very old, and ture and relive the halcyon days I was only seven or so. After of our youth. seeing life in the raw in her younger days she had come to MATTHEW HUNTER spend the eventide of her life in that little room. We have lost another member of our circle of "Old Boys." She was a quaint old soul, and Matthew Hunter, of Scotland, sometimes she would call me to died on January 25th last, quite her, produce a halfpenny and suddenly. I had a letter from send me off to a nearby news­ him only a short time before. agent's for "one of those comic He was a great admirer of Bur­ papers." Then she would pass rage and had, I believe, a com­ many an hour away chuckling plete set of "Ching Ching." over the pictures contained Some years ago I spent a very therein. When she had done pleasant week at his place in with it she passed it on to me. Musselburgh and during the I can see her now-despite the week explored that wonderful fact that more than two score city, Edinburgh. years have passed-opening her -Henry Steele. window and motioning to me March 13th, 1943. in the street below, a big lace WAS MA�Ie IN <1rHBIR NDfMBS

Being Chapter One Of "Memories Of Old Boys' Papers"

cap on her hair of snowy white, By her face lined with a thousand HERBERT LECKENBY wrinkles. The pink pages of "Chips" would come Buttering down to be seized in my eager travelled on her last journey l fingers. Then I would hie me to shed a tear, selfishly perhaps, a door-step where I would sit because, for the time, 1 had engrossed in the adventures of lost my weekly "Chips." Weary Willie and Tired Tim, then just setting out on their THAT, then was my first long careers. Yes, some child­ glimpse of the papers produced hood memories arc very vivid. by young Alfred Harmswonh. For over forry years I was never The picture pages were mainly to lose touch completely with for kids-and old ladies who those which followed from the could tell of blood-stained bat­ presses of the huge concern tlefields. The stories berween which he built up: "The Boys' seemed more adult, but 1 read Friend," "Halfpenny Marvel," them too even though 1 was only "The Union Jack " "Pluck " ' six or seven. Memory plays "The Boys' Realm," "The Boy's• strange tricks, but 1 feel sure Herald," "The Jester," "The rhat if one could search the files Gem," "The Magnet," "The of "Chips" for round about - Dreadnought," "Fun and Fic­ let's see-1896, one would find tion," "Detective Weekly"-and a story entitled "The Fatal many more. Now, with the Seven" and in one issue would exception of "The Sexton Blake be seen the two heroes tied Library," all are no longer pub­ across the railway track. And, lished. Perhaps, when we have in the white pages of "Comic strung Hitler and his crew to Cuts" there would be found a the lamp-posts in the Wilhelm­ series of "Fatal Steps of Bad strasse, we shall see some of Nkn." When that old nurse them brought to life again. Let

PAGE 169 PAGE 170 THE STORY PA PER COLLECTOR OcT.·DEc .. 1943

us hope so, though it is true ' had been a little misunderstand­ some of them did die before ing. I was thinking of my the Austrian house-painter cast beloved comics, of course. What a blight across the world. was a mere addition to the But to return to the days of family compared with those ? the peaceful 'nineties. A year or An insignificant litrle incident, so after the old lady had passed happening over forty years ago, on a girl cousin several years yet I remember it as though it older than myself came to stay be but yesterday. I wondt'rwhy? at my home for a few days. Even though I had read "The Fatal A YEAR OR TWO passed Seven" I knew not the reason and at ten years of age I saw for her visit, but I did know my first copy of "The Boys' they read the comics at her Friend." And again it was a house. One afternoon she was lady who was the Good Samar­ returning to her home for a few itan. I happened to go on an er­ hours and in response to my rand for her one afternoon and appeals she promised to try to as a reward she handed me two bring me some on her return. green-tinted papers-"Nuggets" At the same time I was packed and "The Boys' Friend." And off to a friend of my mother's for several weeks after that I some streets away. On my return used each Monday to wait im­ in the eveningf'y cousin pre­ patiently for school to close, pared me for be . As she tucked then dash off eagerly to het me in I asked "Did you keep house to receive those two your promise?" She replied in papers, and occasionally "The the affirmative and then added Garland," a less well-known "You've got a baby brother." companion to "Nuggets." At "Oh!" said I, and then after a first the latter was my favourite moment's pause, "How many with its famous stories of Tim are there?" My �ousin laughed Pippin, but soon I turned to the and retorted "Why, one, of dear old "Green 'un," the nick­ course." "Pooh! ls that all?" name Hamilton Edwards coined said I as I snuggled down. for the paper which was his own Next morning she produced first love. the comics and gladdened my By a strange coincidence, the heart when I found four of day after I made a rough draft them. "But," I said indignantly, of these notes, and written only "Why did you say there was a little further than the last only one?" For, you see, there paragraph, there came unexpoc- OCT.-DEC .. 1943 THE STORY PAPER COLLECTOR PAGE 171 tedly into my possession two odd a second-hand book shop-to copies of the halfpenny "Boys' me a wonderful little shop. It Friend," one actually a double attracted me like a magnet. The number. I had nm seen any for woman who kept it-again a ye ars, and, remarkable to relate, woman !-did not buy or sell they were of exactly the same the papers mainly consisting of pe riod of which I have just writ­ serials like the "B. F." or "The ten. The moment I set eyes on Boys' Realm," but she always them I could almost guess the had a fine selection of halfpenny stories they contained: "Boys "Union Jacks," "Plucks," etc., Of St. Basil's," "Wolves Of The which she sold at four a penny. Deep" (actually the copy carried Four a penny! Think of it! And the firstinstalment of the sequel, she put all her goods in the "Lion Against Bear"), "When shop window. There could be Britons Faced The Foe," ·'Silver seen a pile, a foot high, of "Mar­ Blaze," by Hamilton Edwards, vels,'1 "Plucks," "Union Jacks," and "The Boy Gold-Miner." "Surprises," "True Blues," and Those I did not recall were "Bob an almost forgotten one, "The Redding's Schooldays," "Chums Bullseye." And there were lesser Of The Ring," and "Houp-La!" heaps of "Dick Turpins," "O'er Yes, those two little papers Land and Seas," "Robin Hoods," enabled me to travel back down "Claude Duvals," and rhe rest the corridors of time to the days of the Aldines. Many times and of that other war of more than oft did I make my way to that forty years ago, and for the time shop, and there I would stand being the only discordant note with my nose pressed to the win­ was the wireless. dow staring at the display. Sometimes I was able to enter That kind lady was responsible and purchase four or even for instilling in me a regard for eight copies. "The Boys' Friend" which lasted throughout the years until the One day, how well I remember day it died. Maybe at times it it, I saw on top of the pile a palled a little for in its declining "Union Jack" I had never seen years it was but a shadow of its before. Having a copper in my earlier days. Nevertheless I was pocket I went in. The woman loyal to it to the end. handed me three or four dozen to choose from. I then discov­ ANOTHER MEMORY, vivid ered they were all back numbers to me: In those days of which I dating back to a day long before write there was in my native city I was able to take an interest in PAGE172 THE STORY PAPER COLLECTOR OcT.-D EC.. 1943 them-"Plucks," "Union Jacks," ever possessed in my life. "Marvels," "Surprises" galore! At the earliest possible mo­ I set off on my way home. ment I set off hot-foot ro that How was I to get hold of more of book shop. The bulk of those them before they were snapped old issues were still there. I up? I wracked my brains for a picked them out-·'Marvels," plan. At last a glimmering of an "Union Jacks," "Plucks," usur­ idea came to me. 1 had a chum prises"-eight, twelve, twenty. who worked for a newsagent in thirty. The good lady looked at the evenings and sold the even­ me suspiciously-for she knew ing papers. It was the year 1902 me by then-where had I got and one of the greatest, if not the money from ? I guessed she the greatest, of Australian rour was thinking. I left the shor reams of all time, was in Eng­ with fifty-six copies in my hands, land-Victor Trumper, Clem qui\·ering with excitement, as Hill, Monty Noble, and the rest. Maxwell Scott would say, my I approached my friend and he whole fourteen pence spent, and agreed ro !er me have a go. what is more 1 had to hide them Happily for me, ir was the very at the house of a friend for I day when Gilbert Jessop made daren't rake them home. Bur that thrilling, never-to-be-for­ that only lent zest to it all. gotten century which helped ro bring England victory by the Now I HAVE described that narrowest of margins. The cric­ little adventure of my long-ago keting public was roused ro a youth at some length. Some who high pitch of excitement. We may read what I have written got our pile of papers with the may scoff and call it all a lot of result of the game. My chum fuss about nothing and that my urged me to shout. I had never time might have been better sold a paper in the street in my spent. Yer I believe that most of young life until that night, and that little band of "old boys" after it never did again. I plucked who still take an interest in the up courage and piped "Cricket papers of their youth and who, Post! Close of play!" The papers like myself, had their penny a went like hot cakes, my spirits week pocket money doled out rose as my embarrassment went, to them will have a kind of and I yelled like a veteran. fellow-feeling. When I received my "commis­ I remember other incidents at sion" I was richer by fourteen that little shop. Another occa­ pence, the greatest sum I had sion, when I had got to work, a OcT.-DEc .. 1943 TH E STORY PAPER COLLECTOR PAGE 173

great pile of "True Blues" with cover for "The Marvel" or "The the coloured covers brought joy Union Jack," for that small boy to my heart. I spent a consider­ was my guilty self. Such were able sum there in my rime. Ir is the deceptions one was driven a cake shop now and its romance to so that one could read in for me is gone. I frequently pass peace one's Jack, Sam and Pete it and ofttimes I fancy I see in or Nelson Lee. the window "Plucks" and "Mar­ I remember once having an vels" of a by-gone day. argument with my father over I HA VE DROPPED a hint al­ "The Boys' Friend." He was ready that papers like "The leduring me for reading such Boy's Friend" and "The Union "trash," and I said in protest Jack" were frowned upon in my "You buy 'The Sunday Com­ home. My father was a staunch panion' every week, Dad, and it Wesleyan and had very strict, is published by the same firm as some would say narrow-minded, the paper you say I shouldn't views on what was good for the read. Maybe it is printed on the growing youth. He made no dis­ same machines." He was not tinc'l:ion between "The Boys' much impressed, however, for he Friend" and, say, the "Deadwood retorted "A printer will print a Dick Library." To him, with the hymn-sheet or a race-card so long possible exception of "The Boys' as he gets paid for them." He Own Paper," they were all "blood went on to point out a serial for and thunders." The fad: that young readers which was running when I got them I had to keep in "The Sunday Companion" at them out of the way, find all the time and said I should l:e sorts of hiding places for them, satisfied with a story like that. made them all the more precious The story was by Harwood Pant­ and romantic in my eyes, for ing. I was unaware of the fact that stolen sweets were ever sweetest. he was also Claud Heathcote, one Three times to school and of my favorite "Boys' Friend" chapel each Sunday was my lot, authors. If I had known maybe and on those Sunday evenings I should have scored a point! a small boy might have been The question of the stern dis­ seen right up in the highest pew approval of what was termed the in the gallery. During the sermon "penny dreadful" or "blood and he was apoarently studying his thunder" in the days of which I hymn book or Bible-but I con­ have been writing is an interest­ fess with a blush of shame that ing one and I hope to refer to it the Holy Book only served as a again in a later chapter. PAGE174 TH E STORY PAPER COLLECTOR OcT.-DEc .. 1943

Some More About The Papers Of The Post-1918 Period By CYMRO EARLY in the .-..-.·.-...... -...... -..- ••_,,._.._...... _...... _. Britain," an Am· year 1919 algamated Press Readers of this article will came the re-ap­ publication.This forgive me if the papers men­ pearanceof"The of course would tioned are not given in the Boys' Realm," be after this sequence of their appearance. printed on pink company had I am writing from memory, paper as of old, taken over the and memory is apt to be with an all-star Red Lion House brilliant at one time and at cast-Henry St. publications. another time dim.-Cymro. John, Arthur S. "Adventure," Hardy, E.Searles "Skipper," and Brooks, and a "Rover" were Sexton Blake serial by Robert published by the D. C. Thomson Murray-or was it by his father, Company. They had a large Wm. Murray Graydon? I am reading public but after the first not sure which, but father or half dozen copies my interest son, it gave me hours of enjoy­ faded, although a detective paper ment. by the same firm kept me en· "The Penny Popular" was an­ thralled even more than Sexton other reincarnation of this year, Blake or Nelson Lee ever did. and "Billy Bunter's Postal Order" Two papers for our girl was at the top of the bill with friend' were "The School Friend" Tom Merry and Jimmy Silver and "Schoolgirl's Own." The supporting. first was started after many re­ Henderson's were, I think, the quests had been made by the publishers of "The Boy's Week­ feminine readers of "The Mag­ ly," printed on white paper with net"' and "The Gem" and fea­ an orange heading, and the same tured tales of CliffHouse School. size as "The Boys' Realm." I "All Sports," "Sports Budget," have no vivid recollections of "Sports For Boys," and "Sports this paper, nor of how long it Fun" indicate the trend that the ran, but I recollect that a few of generation of that day was fol­ the principal characters were re­ lowing. born at a later date in "Young What amazed me at that time OcT.-DEc .. 1943 THE STORY PAPER COLLECTOR PAGE 175 was the great number of photo- 1 end, and the end of "The gravure plates that were given Champion" came for me when away with nearly every new its policy was changed, to meet, paper published, and indeed I suppose, the menace of the some of the old-timers caught Thomson papers, which at rhar the complaint also. time were outstripping all their ·'The Rocket," "Pluck," '"The competitors-a menace that was Greyfriars Herald" (later called even then crumbling away the "The Boys' Herald"), "Play­ foundations of such stalwarts of time," "The Champion," "Merry the Amalgamated Press as "The M::imenrs," "The Boys' Sports Boys' Friend" and "The Boys' Picl:orial," "Crackers," and Realm." others too numerous to refer ro I wonder if after the second give an inkling of the immense world war we shall have another number of papers that were such feast of new papers? I flooding the newsagents during doubt it, and hope not, for this period. I cannot see any number of new papers taking the place of those "The Champion" made its that passed us by, into the bow in January, 1922, rather land of memories, away back in larger in size than "The Mag­ the nineteen-twenties. net," with its first cover illus­ trated by Fred Bennett and This is the second of two a free glossy photograph of articles; the first appeared in Georges Carpentier. The stories "Story Paper Collector" No. I I. were by such well-known au­ thors as Henry St. John and Al­ Reckless Ralph's lan Blair, while Stacy Blake and DIME NOVEL ROUND-UP Carras Yorke contributed to later numbers. A monthly magazine devoted One strange thing about "The to the collecting, preservation Champion" that 1 have never and literature of the old-time forgotten was Earle Danesford dime and nickel novels, libraries and Howard Steele writing and popular story papers of the stories of Panrher Gray le, Detec­ days when you were a young­ tive. Back in 1910 Panther ster; 8 pages full of fine articles Grayle had appeared in "The and write-ups. Price !Oc per Empire Library" and the author copy or $1.00 per year. Ad. was then given as Jack Lancaster. rates, le per word. \Vere they the same, I wonder? Ralph F. CtJmmings All good things come to an Dept. S. P. C., Fisherville, Mass. PAGE 176 TH E STORY PAPER COLLECTOR OCT.-DEC .. 1943

Richard Randolph And The Levison Series In "The Gem Library"-A Correction

Referring to the article by also wrote the series about the '·Cymro" entitled "Richard Ran­ c-0ming of Cardew to St. Jim's, dolph" in No. 13 of "The Story and the stories about Manners' Paper Colled:or" Mr. John R. wayward young brother, Reggie. Shaw writes under date of June Later there are two stories intro­ 24th last: ducing Doris Levison, and a series of three stories about "The writer has given J. N. Manners' feud with a new boy, Pentelow the credit for having Roylance, on account of Reggie written several St. Jim's stories in -all being by Mr. Hamilton. In in the 'Gem' which were ac1ual­ the 'Gem' during 1922 he wrote ly written by the genuine Mar­ a series about Levison's 'past,' tin Clifford, that is, Charles and in the 'Magnet' one year Hamilton. I can say definitely later a series about Levison and that the series of stories dealing and his brother at Greyfriars with 'the reformation of Ernest (Nos. 793-799;." Levison,' the story 'The Shadow Of The Past' in 'Gem' No. 510, Since receiving his letter I and the series of three stories in have glanced through those 'Gem' Nos. 594-596, of which copies of the "Gem" mentioned 'His Brother's Keeper' is the first, by Mr. Shaw that I possess and were all written by Charles I am certain that, as he claims, Hamilton. If the writer had these they are by Charles Hamilton stories he would see at once that and not J. N. Pentelow. It has not any of them were by J. N. been said before that to err is Pentelow. It is a very unfortunate human, and it would seem that mistake and I hope you will "Cymro's" memory has played print a corred:ion in a future him tricks. As he says in a note issue. The stories about 'the inserted in his contribution to reformation of Levison' are: this issue, "I am writing from 'Gem' Nos. 451, 455, 462,464, 466, memory, and memory is apt to and they were reprinted in Nos. brilliant at one time and at 1597-1600 and 1602. The series another time dim." in Nos. 594-596 were not re­ printed in the 'Gem,' but were I regret that the error got into reprinted in 'Schoolboys' Own print and take this opportunity Library' No. 8. Mr. Hamilton of correc1ing it. -W. H. G. OcT.-DEc .• 1943 TH E STORY PAPER COLLECTOR PAGE 177

British Bloods and Journals Dime Novel Round-Up-Mr. For Sale-Black Bess, Blue­ Ralph Cummings will accept skin, Charles Peace the Bur­ 4/- worth of "bloods" as pay­ glar, Tom Torment, Sailor Cru­ ment for one year's sub. For his soe, Nell Gwynne, Tyburn Tree, address see adverr. on page 175. Charley Wag the New Jack Sheppard, Black Mask, Jack Wanted-Plucks with St. Jim's Sheppard, Broad Arrow Jack, stories; red-covered Magnets. Outlaws of Epping Forest, Dick E. Fayne, The Modern School, Turpin (Miles), Adrift on the Grove Road, Surbicon, Surrey. Spanish Main, Frank Fearless, BRITISH BOYS' PAPERS Handsome Harry and Cheerful Ching-Ching, Daring and Won­ WANTED derful Ching-Ching, Boy's Her­ Pluck Library-years 1906-7, ald (Dick's), Boys of England, Nos. 106-122. Young Men of Great Britain, Holiday Annual-Years 1920 Tom Wildrake's Schooldays, to 1924. Lady Godiva, Young Folks, & hundreds more. Exchanges Chuckles-Any issues. willingly considered ; similar 1 Nelson Lee Library-No. 24 wanted. of the last (4th) series. 13, Also-Runs and volumes of the Emp:re Library-Nos. 8, 14, 20, 21, 26 following post-I ooo story papers : of first series. Aldine Half Holiday Library, Triumph -Nos. 8l2 and 8l4. Cheerful Library, O'er Land and Boys Friend Libra;-y-All Sea Library, Detective Tales, Buf­ stories by Martin Clifford (except falo Bill Library, True Blue, Cedar Creek), Prosper Howard, Claude Duval Library (complete Frank Richards, Owen Conquest. set), Invention Library (Frank also o. 393, by Rich. Randolph. Reade , Dick Turpin Library, Gem Library-Nos. 3, 'i, 6, Garfield Library, Robin Hood I 0, 11, first or �d. series. 1 ew Library, Home Library of Power­ series Nos. l-304, 329, 375, 407 ful Dramatic Tales, Tip Top 1 with suppl. , 452, 454, 458, 510, Tales, Henderson's Wild West 603, 620, 62 1, 62 3-627, 629, 63 1, Library, Union Jack, Marvel, 635-637, 630-64 l, 643-654, 656- Boys' Friend 3d Library. 69 . John Medcraft, C. F. F. RICKARD 6-+ Woodlands Road, llford, 2026 West -l l st Ave., Vancouver, Essex, England. B. C., Canada. PAGE 178 THE STORY PAPER COLLECTOR OcT.-CEc.. 1943

WANTED FOR SALE EX CHAI\'GE

Wanted-English Comics, years Magnets - pre - 1930, wanted, 1892-190.:i. Harris, Caynton, any numbers. Corbett, 49 Glyn Llanrhos Road, Penrhyn Bay, Farm Road, Qu inton, Birming­ Liandud no. ham, England.

Wante-i - Magnets and Gems, Wanted - Id. Boys' Friend, 1907-33; also Boys' Friend Lib­ Realm, Big Budget, Boys· raries with scories by Frank Leaders, ��d. Sports Library, Richards and Marcin Clifford. early Id. Nelson Lee Library.­ Shaw, 6 Colney Hatch Lane, H. Dowler, 6 Hamilton Road, London, N. IO, England. Manchester, 13, England.

"The Collector's Miscellany" WANTED -The paper for anyone inter­ ested in Old Boys' Books, Type The Following Story Papers Specimens, Juvenile Theatre, etc. Write J. A. Birkbeck, 52 Craigie "Magnet Library"-See Want Avenue, Dundee, Scocland. List, "S.P.C." o. 7, page 76. "Boys' Friend" New Series - The Geographical Magazine See Want List, "S.P.C." No. 8, -Wanted: 3 copies of February, page 00. 1942, issue. This is the Geogra­ pical published in London, not "Greyfriars Herald" \New the National Geographic. W. H. Series, 1919-22 i later "Boys' Gander, Transcona, Canada. Herald"- Nos. 9, 15, 30, to end. "Boys' Friend 3d. Library" Wanted-Aldine ld. Dick Tur- -No. 2 1', Jan., 1915: "The pins, early issues of Magnet, Boy Without a Name"; and Gem, Penny Popular, and Comic others by Frank Richards. Papers, parricularly Chuckles. "The Popular"-Many before Also interested in old volumes No. 512. containing coloured plates of wildflowers, butterflies, birds or "Empire Library"-New series. fishes. Alfred Horsey, 60 Sal­ combe Rd., Walthamstow, Lon­ WM. H. GANDER don, E. 17, England. Transcona, Manitoba, Canada

10c A COPY 6 ISSUES AS PUBLISHED SOC