Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday (1884): The Pioneering Comic Magazine

Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday: The Pioneering Comic Magazine
Comic books have been integral to popular culture for over a century. These colorful publications have entertained young and old readers with stories of superheroes, adventures, and humor. However, the roots of this art form can be traced back to a modest British comic magazine that debuted in 1884: “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday.” This unassuming publication not only pioneered the concept of comic strips but also played a significant role in shaping the future of the comic book industry.

The Birth of Ally Sloper

“Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday” introduced readers to a character who would become an icon in the world of comics. A breezy and lazy schemer, Ally Sloper often found himself “sloping” through alleys to avoid his landlord and creditors. Ally Sloper’s origins can be traced back to the satirical magazine “Judy,” where he first appeared in 1867. The character was created by writer Charles Henry Ross and illustrated by his French wife, Emilie de Tessier, using the pseudonym “Marie Duval” (or “Marie DuVal,” depending on the source).

The “Half Holiday” Phenomenon

The magazine’s title, “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday,” was derived from the practice in Victorian Britain of allowing workers to go home at lunchtime on Saturdays. This practice gave the publication its name and had a broader influence on British society, as it contributed to establishing the kickoff times of football matches.

A Pioneering Publication

The first “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday” issue hit newsstands on May 3, 1884. It was a black-and-white weekly comic paper, typically eight tabloid pages, priced at one penny. The magazine was published shortly after the character’s rights were acquired by Gilbert Dalziel, an engraver and the publisher of “Judy.” Initially, Dalziel launched the magazine in collaboration with W. J. Sinkins, but he soon took complete control, operating it from “The Sloperies” at 99 Shoe Lane, EC.

The magazine’s content was not limited to Ally Sloper’s escapades. In addition to the recurring character, it featured prose stories, cartoons, and strips of various other characters. “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday” quickly became popular, estimated sales reaching 350,000 copies. The magazine proudly declared itself “the largest-selling paper in the world.” Its readership was diverse, appealing to both a loyal working-class male audience and a cult following among the middle class of the time.

The Rise and Fall

The success of “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday” was remarkable, but like all good things, it ended. The weekly publication ceased on September 9, 1916, after a run of 1,679 issues. Several attempts were made to revive the magazine, from November 5, 1922, to April 14, 1923, and again from 1948 to 1949. Unfortunately, these attempts failed to recapture the imagination of the British public in the same way as the original.

In 2001, a remarkable piece of comic book history was auctioned in England when a copy of the first issue of “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday” fetched an impressive £3,600.

Notable Contributors

Numerous talented individuals contributed to the success of “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday.” Among them were:

• Charles Henry Ross: The writer and creator of Ally Sloper, whose satirical wit brought the character to life.
• Emilie de Tessier (Marie Duval): The French artist who illustrated the early adventures of Ally Sloper, contributing to the character’s visual identity.
• William Giles Baxter: He took over art duties for the Sloper character with issue 13, ensuring the character’s visual consistency.
• William Fletcher Thomas: After Baxter’s untimely death in 1888, Thomas became the artist responsible for Ally Sloper’s appearances.
• James Gibbins: Known for his expertise in handwriting, Gibbins offered his skills to the police during the Jack the Ripper murders, illustrating the multifaceted talents of the contributors.
• Thomas Burke: A prolific contributor to the magazine who provided engaging stories that captivated readers.
• C. H. Chapman: Illustrated the Ally Sloper character in 1908 and was better known for his work on “Billy Bunter” and other iconic characters.

These talented individuals played a crucial role in shaping the magazine and making Ally Sloper a beloved and enduring character.

A Pioneering Influence

“Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday” holds a special place in comic book history. It is widely recognized as the first comic book or magazine to feature a regular character and is often considered the first comic. The publication not only entertained readers but also demonstrated the financial viability of the medium. Many years later, its influence could still be seen in publications like “Viz.”

Alan Class’ Homage

Decades after “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday” left the publishing scene, a tribute was paid to this pioneering comic magazine. Alan Class Comics published four “Ally Sloper” issues in 1976–1977. Edited by comics historian Denis Gifford, this revival of Ally Sloper’s adventures showcased a deep affection for old British comics, comic strips, and artists.

With the cover tagline, “First British comic hero 1867, First British comic magazine 1976,” this modern incarnation of Ally Sloper’s adventures contained a mix of strips and articles. Some of these strips were created in the style of early 20th-century British comics, while others featured classic artists like Frank Hampson’s “Dawn O’Dare” and Frank Bellamy. Notably, Bellamy provided a three-page wordless Western story titled “Swade” for issue #1. Despite the revival’s critical acclaim in the fan press, it struggled due to poor distribution and a lack of public interest, leading to its disappearance from the market after only four issues.

Conclusion

“Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday” may not be a household name in the world of comics today, but its historical significance is undeniable. As the first comic magazine to feature a recurring character, it laid the foundation for an entire industry. The success of Ally Sloper’s adventures demonstrated the commercial potential of comics and left an indelible mark on the British comic landscape. Although the magazine’s heyday has long passed, it remains a pivotal piece of comic book history and a testament to the enduring appeal of this art form.

Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday Gallery

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Read also

• Ally Sloper: The Trailblazing Legacy of Britain’s First Comic Strip Character
• Charles Henry Ross (1835-1897): The Pioneering English Writer and Cartoonist
• Isabelle Émilie de Tessier (Marie Duval) (1847-1890): Pioneering Female Cartoonist and the Creator of Ally Sloper

FAQs about Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday

1. What is Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday?

Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday was a British comics magazine published on May 3, 1884. It is the first comic strip magazine featuring a recurring character, Ally Sloper.

2. Who is Ally Sloper?

Ally Sloper is a breezy and lazy schemer known for avoiding his landlord and creditors by “sloping” through alleys. The character first appeared in 1867 in the satirical magazine Judy, created by writer Charles Henry Ross and illustrated by his wife Emilie de Tessier under the pseudonym “Marie Duval.”

3. Why is it called “Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday”?

The “half-holiday” in the title refers to the Victorian British practice of allowing workers to go home at lunchtime on Saturdays. This practice also established the kickoff times of football matches.

4. How was the magazine published?

The magazine was a black-and-white weekly comic paper, typically consisting of eight tabloid pages priced at one penny. It was first published on May 3, 1884, and launched by Gilbert Dalziel and W. J. Sinkins. However, Dalziel soon gained complete control of the publication and continued to publish it.

5. What was the readership of Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday?

The magazine had a diverse readership, appealing to the working-class male base and attracting a cult following among the middle class of the time. Sales were estimated to be as high as 350,000, and the magazine claimed to be “the largest selling paper in the world.”

6. When did the magazine cease publication, and when was it revived?

The original weekly publication ceased on September 9, 1916, after 1,679 issues. It was later revived from November 5, 1922, to April 14, 1923, and again from 1948 to 1949, but these attempts failed to capture the imagination of the British public as the original did.

7. What is the magazine’s significance in the history of comics?

Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday is widely regarded as the first comic book or magazine to feature a regular character, and it is often cited as the first comic overall. It played a crucial role in establishing the financial viability of the comic medium and influenced future publications, including Viz.

8. Who were some notable contributors to the magazine?

Contributors included William Giles Baxter, William Fletcher Thomas, James Gibbins, Thomas Burke, and C. H. Chapman, who illustrated the Ally Sloper character in 1908. Some of these contributors had significant careers in the comic and publishing industry.

9. Is there a modern version of Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday?

1976-1977, Alan Class Comics published four issues of Ally Sloper magazine. These issues paid homage to old British comics and artists, but the title disappeared from the market after only four issues due to distribution issues and insufficient public interest.

10. How much did a copy of the first issue of Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday sell for at auction?

In 2001, a copy of the first issue of Ally Sloper’s Half Holiday fetched £3,600 at an English auction house.