*Girls’ Comics: The venerable Valentine weekly, having trod the same path since its 1957 launch, decided to freshen its image in 1969. Gone were the cover-featured romance strips ‘inspired’ by pop hits, the faux-celebrity endorsement mugshots, and the familiar blue & white livery; suddenly, it was soft-focus cover photos of girls or couples, a huge influx of problem pages and fashion & make-up features, and the pop emphasis shifted from strip stories to articles and pin-ups – but the romance strips were still there, albeit in a trendier style. More than 40 issues of Valentine from 1970 to 1974 this week, featuring an ever-changing array of media obsessions, from Robert Powell, Star Trek and Herman’s Hermits, through Bowie, Bolan and Slade, and culminating in David Cassidy, Michael Jackson, and far too many Osmonds. Depicted is the Free Gift issue from 27th April 1974, in extraordinary VF with the free gift – 2 Pretty Hairslides – also in VF and ready to wear! Comic and gift yours for £20 – details on all other issues in our online catalogue!