First Issue: 17th May 1919 (First Series)
Last Issue: 28th February 1925 (First Series)
Copyright: Amalgamated Press
First Issue: 7th March 1925 (Second Series)
Last Issue: 27th July 1929 (Second Series)
Copyright: Amalgamated Press
It’s believed that following receipt of letters from female readers of The Magnet story paper, Amalgamated Press editor Reg Eves decided to launch The School Friend aimed at girls. Set in the same universe as The Magnet, the publication focused on Cliff House School for Girls, which had previously been mentioned in The Magnet.
The Magnet
Issue 582
March 29th 1919
First Appearance of Bessie Bunter
The Artful Dodger!
One of the most famous characters in The School Friend was Bessie Bunter, the sister of Billy Bunter. She had previously appeared in The Magnet issue 582 dated March 29th 1919.
The School Friend
First Issue
First Series
The Arrival Of Bessie Bunter!
17th May 1919
The School Friend was issued in two separate series totalling 229 issues. Although it could be argued that it was three series as following the last issue of The School Friend second series on the 27th July 1929, The Schoolgirl story paper was relaunched on 3rd August 1929 continuing The School Friend stories including those of Cliff House School for Girls.
The Schoolgirl Story Paper
First Issue (Relaunched)
3rd August 1929
British Comics – A Cultural History
by James Chapman
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