Rupert...

I first met him in at Christmas in the days when Wolverhampton Wanderers were kings of England and Tommy Steele was making records that you actually went out and bought.

In those days you got free plastic figures in Kellogs Corn Flakes and you could buy the Victor for tuppence. A mixture cost 9d, and a bottle of Tizer a shilling.

But I discovered Rupert quite unexpectedly at my cousin's house on Christmas night. A cool guy in a red jumper, yellow and black scarf (clever lad) and similar trousers. He wore boots as well which I thought were cool. He had a profound effect on me because he had some colourful friends and explored the most wonderful places. He had a pretty Chinese girlfriend and was the coolest bear around.

I kept tabs on him over the intervening years and he kept me entertained with his exploits and adventures.

I still see him at Christmas time and he sends me a lovely book rather than a card.

He's a good mate and he's a cool as he was the day I first met him.

Anyone else ever come across him?

Love it.

"Rupert, Rupert the Bear, Everyone knows his name..."

I love Rupert as well, Jarvo.

So, this is what Jarvo's brave new Wigan world has come to?

How sad.

Spiderwoman:

lectrilegs,

I loved Rupert too, Jarvo, and the little two-line couplets which told the story under the drawing. x.

Yes Jarvo , Rupert will always have a place in my heart and psyche, its like he and all the characters are part of our collective consciousness.


Lectriclegs we are all still waiting for those screenshots of Bennie's Bar.

Is Rupert still alive. He would be 97 this year. Same as Jarvo

I was more into Muffin.

Grow Up

My dear Mum would read his stories to me from the Daily Express every morning in the early 1960's and I loved his adventures around Nutwood . I was soon able to read and write from an early age , which was a massive help on starting Infants School .
In those days of course , I knew nothing of Rupert's Creator Mary Tourtel who wrote his stories between 1920 and 1935 . Alfred Bestall then wrote Rupert for a more modern age up until 1965 . The wonderful stories continued with Freddie Chaplain , Alex Cubie and Enid Ash , while in the 1980's it was John Harrold and James Henderson .
My own children loved reading the Rupert Stories and he has been part of our lives for close on 60 years with his old style values and good manners from a now bygone age .
For I-spy , you are correct , Rupert will be 100 on November 8th 2020 .

Jarvo, you should start a Rupert Fan Club, there's plenty of fans on here!

Jarvo, you should start a Rupert Fan Club, there's plenty of fans on here!

There is a Rupert museum in Canterbury, Kent

One for me, one for a friend and one in the making.
I first had Rupert stories read to me about 1943.

Those are wonderful, Anne! I had a soft toy Rupert when I was little, with a pull cord so he could say things. I loved it!

Rupert forever!

Anne , here is the cover to my 1943 Rupert Annual , comprising of 120 Pages and 11 Stories , hope it brings back happy memories

Thanks W rover.... I can't say I remember the cover, maybe some of the stories and pictures inside. We were lucky to get one during the war years. Mothers would queue for hours just before Christmas. Christmas wasn't complete without one.

Pleasure Anne , it's cover price in 1943 was 3 shillings and sixpence , which would probably not have been cheap four years into the war ! The stories and full colour illustrations by Alfred Bestall are fabulous ! You are quite correct , Christmas was not complete without a Rupert Annual on Christmas Morning and I proudly hold the complete set from 1935. Out of interest , the 1943 Annual sold over 600,000 copies that year !

Well done W rover, that must have taken some doing. My nephew has quite a collection but I don't think a full set and I'm sure most of mine and my brother's have been added to his collection.

Some fabulous Rupert stuff on here! Who knew there was so many fans! Rupert jumpers are gorgeous, Anne.

Great stuff. I'm glad I put this thread on. I knew there were Rupert people out there.

He's a legend.

Great stuff. I'm glad I put this thread on. I knew there were Rupert people out there.

He's a legend.

I just loved Rupert Bear. I think it was monthly, not sure, when it came out and reading about Rupert Bear started off my absolute love of reading. Pity I never kept them to read to my grandchildren the original comics.

Linma , you may be referring to the Rupert Adventure Series which where published quarterly between March 1949 (Issue One) and June 1963 (Issue 50). These where card covered booklets , 20 to 24 pages long , many containing two stories and are very valuable today . They where priced at one shilling throughout their 14 year publication .... no inflation in those days
Rupert Comics reappeared in November 1991 , issued every two weeks until October 1993 ( 51 Issues ) . Started at 20 pence and finished at 60 pence .
Thank you for this thread Jarvo .

Alfred Bestall's drawing where amazing, it must have taken him ages to do each picture, so much time and dedication going into each one. Each picture really helping your imagination as you follow Rupert on his adventures. I agree with W Rover what a great thread this has been. Thanks Jarvo