A treasure trove of vintage TV adverts for iconic comics and magazines like the Dandy, Bunty, and Jackie has been unearthed in the basement of a building in Dundee owned by publisher DC Thomson. The 99 films, dating back to the 1950s and 60s, offer a glimpse into the early days of commercial television advertising and the social history of the time.
Thanks to a partnership between DC Thomson and the National Library of Scotland (NLS), the adverts have been restored and digitized, allowing viewers to relive the nostalgia of a bygone era. From the pop pinups of Jackie magazine to the noisy paper toy Thunderbang offered by the Dandy, the adverts showcase the unique marketing strategies used to attract young readers.
Kay Foubister, the acquisition curator at the NLS Moving Image Archive, describes the collection as a valuable addition to their existing archives, offering a rare glimpse into the evolution of television advertising in Scotland. The ads not only promote the publications but also highlight the popular free gifts that came with them, from rings for girls to car-related toys for boys.
The discovery of these vintage adverts is a reminder of a time when people eagerly awaited their favorite publications from the newsagent each week. While many of the magazines may no longer be in circulation, the ads live on in the digital age, allowing audiences to experience the charm and nostalgia of a bygone era.
