*Girls’ Comics: Although we’ve had Tina #1, gifted with her ‘gold-plated’ troll, in once or twice over the years, I don’t recall us ever having seen a copy of #2 with its Free Gift before, so this is a rare treat. From 1967, Tina, launched in multiple language editions across Europe, was so heavily pre-sold prior to its launch that it could legitimately claim, even on the front of its debut issue, ‘More copies sold than any other girl’s paper in the world!’ With a strong adventure-oriented line-up, curvaceous secret agent ‘Jane Bond’ illustrated by Michael Hubbard, was the lead, and the ‘Space Girls’ (in colour, by Dan Dare illustrator Keith Watson) added a sci-fi touch. Other features which debuted here were ‘Moira – Slave Girl of Rome’, exotic island drama with Brenda Burn and ‘My Chum Yum-Yum’, peripatetic pop group ‘Jackie and the Wild Boys’, western adventuress ‘Glory Gold’ and ‘Barbie’. Yep, that Barbie. After thirty issues, Tina merged with Princess and lived a long and happy life as Princess Tina, but the issues prior to Tina’s ‘coronation’ remain scarce. #2 is a VG copy, sound enough with handling wear and slight tanning to right cover edge; the unused Free Gift is immaculate and for once, it comes in an envelope that’s never been sealed, so we’re able to take it out for photography purposes and display the ‘lovely floral bracelet’ in all its virgin glory.
PICTURED: TINA #2 VG WITH FREE GIFT VF £90 SOLD