www.kellyscomics.com
D.C. Thomson. Ltd.
Please find here a small tribute to the greatest publishing firm in the World. From their humble beginnings........to an extrodinary firm in their hayday, D.C. Thomson have led the way for years. The creators of the Big Five comics, Rover, Wizard, Skipper, Adventure and Hotspur, to the dozens of other titles, that they have done over the years. This is a relatively small collection by some standards, but is owned by a private collector me, Kelly Boldero. If anyone would like to make any form of donation to advance the site by means of publishing material, free gifts etc etc that aren't included, please contact me on: bolderokelvin@yahoo.co.uk
The D.C. Thomson company began as a branch of the Thomson family business when W. Thomson became the sole proprietor of Charles Alexander & Co., publishers of Dundee Courier and Daily Argus. In 1884, David Coupar Thomson took over the publishing business, and established it as DC Thomson in 1905. The firm flourished, and took its place as the third J in the "Three Js", the traditional summary of Dundee industry ('jam, jute and journalism'). Thomson was notable for his conservatism, vigorously opposing the introduction of trade unions into his workforce, and denying employment to people of the Catholic faith. The company produces more than 200 million comic books, magazines, and newspapers every year from offices in Dundee, Glasgow, Manchester and London. As of 2006, the company employed around 1,950 workers. Although the principal offices are located outside the city centre, the Courier Building has been retained. This 1902 building was designed to resemble an American red stone, steel reinforced office block. When a tower extension was added in 1960, the architect T. Lindsay Grey kept the same style. Separate pages of all collections can be found by clicking on the page index links adjacent, happy viewing.
David Coupar Thomson was born: May 23rd 1861, and died December 1954, he was owner of the newspaper and publishing company formed as D.C. Thomson & Co Ltd. David was born in Dundee Scotland to William T. and Margaret C. Thomson, he went to Newport Primary school and then on to the High School of Dundee. At the age of around 15/16 he was sent to the family shipping business in Glasgow. His faher William began his working life as a draper and then a ship owner, in 1884 he became the major shareholder of the Dundee Courier and Daily Argus, it was thought that David's love of te printing trade arose from there, as in 1886, at his father's request David moved bck to his home place of Dundee and became the general manager of the paper. Another son Frederick joined slightly later in 1888, incidentally the year the English Football League was formed. D.C. Thomson was formed in 1905 with £60.000 capital, William, David and Frederick had all but four shares of the D.C. Thomson company, the remaining shares were allocated to their three wives and the remaining share, belonged to one frances Thomas Mudie. When Frederick died in 1917, David Coupier Thomson became the sole proprietor of the company. Although David was less involved with the company after 1933, he remained Chairman of the company until his death aged 92 in 1954. It was then that his nephew, Harold who forced the business to expand in its publishing interests. It became more interested in the field of comics. The Sunday Post, launched in 1914, a "fun" section in 1936, this became home to such iconic characters of the time as Oor Wullie and the Broons. The Dandy and the Beano were also publications from this company, plus all mentioned in this site. In fct in the very first isue of the Beano was given away one of D.C. Thomson's trademark and renown "Whoopee Masks".
 Above, a statue of the most famous D.C. Thomson character Desperate Dan in the streets of Dundee, the home of D.C. Thomson.. The Desperate Dan comic strip was drawn by Dudley Dexter Watkins until his death in 1969. Although The Dandy Annuals featured new strips from other artists from then on, the comic continued reprinting Watkin's strips until 1983, whe it was decided to start running new strips. These were initially drawn by Peter Davidson, but Ken H. Harrison soon took over as regular artist. The following year Dan was promoted to the front cover of the Dandy, even replacing Korky the Cat who had been there since Issue No1. Other artists to sketch the Desperate Dan figure have been David Parkins, Trevor Metcalfe and John Geering, as with some of D.C. Thomson's other fronts, and characters, Ghost artists have also been used, one included was the great Steve Bright. Jamie Smart was the last artist to draw Dan.  Above "The" Great Dudley Dexter Watkins. Born February 27th 1907, Died August 20 1969, Dudley was an English cartoonist and illustrator. He was best known for his characters The Broons and Oor Wullie that appeared in the Scottish The Sunday Post, he was also the founder artist to draw Desperate Dan, a highly important character in the success of the D.C. Thomson business. Dudley also illustrated for comics such as The Beano, The Dandy, the Beezer and Topper. Dudley was greatly missed and will never be replaced fully.
Mr Thomson married Patricia Cunningham in 1947 and was widowed in 1991. He is survived by their children Angela, Christopher, Elizabeth, Rosemary and Sandy and by 12 grandchildren. |
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