British Comics Update: Free Gift Farrago: Two rare #1 issues, both with Free Gifts: Jackie & Twinkle £100 each
*Girls’ Comics: A chance to pick up two rare Girls’ comics this week, all the rarer for being complete with their original Free Gifts.
1) Jackie. The quintessential Girl’s comic/magazine Jackie. In 1964, Jackie was launched to bridge female readers between Bunty and Woman’s Own, a brief playtime with the ‘England Swings’ zeitgeist of the day, before girls were expected to settle into consumerist conformism. This debut issue, 11 Jan 1964, features Pin-Ups of Cliff, Elvis and the Beatles, Perfume Tips for a More Kissable You, Dreamy Picture Love Stories and Way-Out Exclusives on all the Popsters – for pity’s sake, what more could you want? Well, how about the original Free Gift – a ‘Twin Heart’ Love Ring – still sealed in its original packaging, never having had a chance to turn anyone’s finger green in the intervening decades? Plus – the Power! The Fury! The senses-shattering debut of Cathy and Claire, Jackie’s indefatigable advice page oracles, dispensing wisdom on bras, boys, and (hushed voice) ladyproblems. Jackie became a watchword for a generation, not bowing out until 1993 and is well-remembered today. This Jackie #1 is FN+, just falling short of a higher grade on account of a tiny amount of upper right soft corner creasing. The Free Gift, never opened, is NM. (Our thanks to Will Morgan for this comprehensive write-up).
2) Twinkle. ‘The new picture paper specially for little girls’ launched in 1968, with the star power of Nurse Nancy, Betty Bright, Sally Sweet, Patsy the Panda and lots more. The age of its target audience has meant that relatively few of the #1 issues of this title have survived, let alone a FN unread copy as here, complete with its Free Gift, a St Christopher Charm Bracelet which comes in its original envelope.
PICTURED: BOTH SOLD
JACKIE #1 FN+ WITH FREE GIFT (NM) £100
TWINKLE #1 FN WITH FREE GIFT (VF) £100