Beano rarities, free gifts and more on offer in latest British comics auction from Phil-Comics

By John Freeman on November 14, 2021

The latest Phil-Comics auction on eBay, which closes nest weekend, has several British first issues on offer, and several with free gifts – and a rare flyer for the first two issues of The Beano, released in 1938.

Here’s a selection of some of the items on offer…

Battle Picture Weekly 3, cover dated 22nd March 1975, with Free Gift Cards

Beano No. 604 - cover dated 13th February 1954, featuring the first appearance of “When the Bell Rings” by Leo Baxendale, the original title of “The Bash Street Kids” — *Beano No. 604 – cover dated 13th February 1954, featuring the first appearance of “When the Bell Rings” by Leo Baxendale, the original title of “The Bash Street Kids”*

*Beano No. 604 – “When the Bell Rings” by Leo Baxendale, the original title of “The Bash Street Kids”, and “Lord Snooty”*

*Bullet Issue 3, cover dated 28th February 1976, with Free Gift Planes*

*Rover storypaper 783, cover dated 17th April 1937, plus Free Gift Cards*

*Rover storypaper 784, cover dated 24th April 1937, plus Free Gift Cards*

*Scoop No. 1 – cover dated 21st January 1978, plus Free Gift Sports Diary – cover by Ian Kennedy*

*TV Comic 835, cover dated 16th December 1967, one of several on offer with “Doctor Who” strip material*

*Valiant, cover dated 29th March 1975, with Free Gift Pop Pistol*

Run by Phil Shrimpton, Phil-Comics specialises in vintage comics and related items such as annuals, holiday specials, free gifts and original artwork.

Holding monthly eBay auctions, often with 500+ listings, they aim to bring a diverse array of items – and are always on the lookout for vintage comic collections, either to buy or auction on commission.

• Check out the latest auction items at ebay.co.uk/str/philcomics

• Bidding on items in this auction begins to close on Sunday 21st November 2021

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John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.