A rare copy of the first issue of The Beano has become the most expensive British comic ever sold, fetching an astonishing £30,940 at auction.
Originally published on 30 July 1938, the first edition was priced at just two old pennies. Today, only a few copies of the 28-page comic are believed to remain in existence.
The sale, organised by London-based firm Comic Book Auctions, sparked a fierce bidding war among collectors. The auction, conducted online, concluded on Sunday with the comic being purchased by an anonymous buyer.
The record-breaking sale included a 19 per cent buyer's premium, bringing the total to £30,940. The auctioneers noted that this particular lot was the only complete copy available, still featuring the original Whoopee Mask—an exclusive gift attached to the first edition’s cover.
Malcolm Phillips, director of Comic Book Auctions, commented on the sale, stating: "The Beano No 1 with free gift Whoopee Mask sold for £30,940 including 19 per cent buyer's premium, setting a world record for a British comic at auction. Our company had previously sold this comic, along with its unique free gift, in 1999 for £6,800 during a live auction at Chelsea Town Hall in London."
This remarkable sale underscores the enduring appeal of *The Beano*, a beloved piece of British cultural history.
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