If the names Beano, Dandy, Jinty and Judy give you a rush of nostalgia, Vincent Hicks is on the same page as you.
He’s just opened a shop called Comic Issues in Libra Court, selling the old weeklies that were loved by children during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
It offers mainly vintage British comics and annuals, along with related collectibles and original artwork.
He said: “The earliest pieces I have are war years items, now very sought after by collectors.
“Buying is of interest as well as selling, although I have become very fussy over 30 years of collecting and look for mainly 60s and earlier items.
“The rarest pieces I have include original artwork from artists who later became friends.”
He added that the shop is dedicated to a 'dear friend’, David Sutherland, who died in February. He was the most prolific artist ever for the Beano and Dandy, drawing Dennis the Menace, Biffo the Bear and Bash Street Kids cartoons for more than 30 years.
Vincent said his own favourite comic as a boy was The Beano, and he can see why it remains so popular today.
“I think it was very much of its time – it went back to 1937, and the characters in it were, dare I say it, a little bit more rough and ready than they are today, but I think people related to them quite a lot.
“They were quite a cheap thing to buy – they were two old pence in 1937 and they kept the same price for 23 years, until 1960. They were very well written and the artwork was extremely good as well, all done by hand.
“Many of us remember childhood days of weekly treats which - if we were lucky enough - might stretch to a comic and a bag of sweets.
“Today, just the smell and feel of these comics and annuals can take a person back to those days in an instant, and is very powerful.
“We are living in difficult times, so I will be glad to raise a smile from as many people as possible who pass by or through the shop, by bringing by happy memories.”
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