How to tell if you’ve really got number one

With The Beano turning 80, people the world over are clamouring to find original first editions of their favourite comic.

Original copies are very rare and extremely collectable and understandably people who believe they have one become very excited at what its value could be.

One collector sold his original for

£17,000 in 2016.

Unfortunately for most of those holding a coveted comic, the truth is it is likely a reprint.

Several “facsimile copies” have been made since 1938, including a 1998 60th anniversary edition from The Sunday Post and a 2003 reprint – the pages of which were artificially aged to make it look more authentic.

There are four key things to look for if you think you have an original:

Number of pages: The original comics contained 28 pages. Some reprints have 24 pages as some content that does not meet modern editorial standards was removed.

Paper: The original was printed entirely on off-white newsprint. Reprints may try to reproduce the look but will likely contain brilliant white or glossy pages.

Binding: The original was glue bound. Reprints were stapled or string bound.

Edges: The original will likely have zig-zagged indentations on the top and bottom edges. Some collectors may have trimmed their copies and reprints will have sharp clean edges.

Original first editions of The Beano were printed on off-white newsprint and contained 28 pages.