UPDATED: Alan Clark reference books

I've looked at comic reference books a couple of times before...

i). Dennis Gifford books here (with all Gifford posts here

ii). Lofts & Adley books are here

iii). Dennis Gifford is here 

iv). David Ashford is here

v). Ray Moore is here

vi). Martin Hamer is here

vii). Colin Morgan is here

And now it's the turn of Alan Clark...

His very newest book (February 2024) is this one - priced at £36 (including postage) and available from Alan himself (ebay trading name of 'orsonwelles99' right here) - and looks at the crossover between, well, comic papers, music hall & early cinema. 316 pages long!

So prolific is Alan that I realise I'd missed one of his publications (from April 2023) - more details here

His very newest book (October 2023) is this one - priced at £30 (including postage) and available from Alan himself - ebay trading name of 'orsonwelles99' right here

His very newest book (December 2022) is entitled BRITISH GOLDEN AGE COMICS. COMIC PAPERS BETWEEN THE WARS 1919-1939 is in fact 2 books, priced at £33 for both and available here

The Laughs of a nation - the publications of Gerald G Swann is available here for £23

Just published (January 2022) is Alan's look at Comic papers of the platinum age, creators & their work: 1874-1914 - available for £25 (inc. postage from Italy)

The books is described as follows...

What is the British Platinum Age? Within these pages it’s defined as 1874-1914. It started with James Henderson’s Funny Folks and ended forty years on with the start of the 1914-1918 war. The Platinum Age was the ‘Big Bang’ of the comic universe. It was when the British comic was invented. It was followed by the ‘war years’, then the ‘nursery years’ After which the publishers created a raft of new titles for older readers. Which in turn paved the way to the Golden Age of the 1930s. That Golden Age crashed spectacularly after war was declared on Germany in September 1939 when once again paper shortages returned and staff and freelancers were again called up to join the forces. It was not until over a decade later that the industry recovered enough to start a Silver Age. That began with Eagle on April 14 1950. The war years, nursery years, the Golden Age and Silver Age are other stories. This book is an homage to the Platinum Age and its amazing publishers, editors, creators, writers and artists who were responsible for it. And which led to everything that followed.

COMIC PAPERS OF THE PLATINUM AGE is a 284 page, small size (A5), non-profit, limited edition publication the purpose of which is to promote and provide information about the editors. artists, writers and publishers of Platinum Age comics and story papers.

Well illustrated with rare titles. Informative text. 284 pages.

Just published (Autumn 2021) - and available here - are this pair of books on the 'golden age' of British comics.

Alan's other books that he's published since Autumn 2020 now all seem to be out of print (apart from 'The fun factory' volume) - so I'd order these books soon if you want them.

Just published (Summer 2021) is this book available from Alan himself at this ebay seller ID (orsonwelles99)

The fun factory of Farringdon Street by Alan Clark

subtitled - a history of Amalgamated Press 1890-1960

Recently published is this book (reviewed here)

From early 2021

From Autumn 2020...

From 1998 the Dictionary of British comic artists, writers and editors

From 1991 - "Comics an illustrated history" by Alan and Laurel Clark

From 1989 "The best of British comic art" by Alan Clark

From 1988 "The children's annual - a history and collector's guide" by Alan Clark

From 1983 - "The comic art of Reg Parlett - 60 years of comics!" by Alan Clark

From 1983 - "The comic art of Roy Wilson" by Alan Clark & David Ashford

as ever...if you spot anything I've missed just let me know