The National Library of Scotland recently acquired a copy of the first ever Broons annual, a publication by DC Thomson, after an extensive ten-year search. The 1939 edition was purchased for an undisclosed fee after it appeared on a booksellers’ website. Ian Scott, the Sport, Leisure, and Newspapers Curator, arranged the acquisition for the national collections. He expressed the library’s delight in finding this first edition, highlighting the enduring appeal of the Broons annuals, which have been published since 1939. The iconic characters of the Broons have remained relatively unchanged for over 80 years, contributing to their continued popularity. Despite initial difficulties in collecting the books and comics due to their distribution through newsagents, the Broons annuals have become a significant part of Scottish culture. The first Broons annual will be displayed at the Treasures of the National Library of Scotland exhibition in 2024.
National Library’s Decade-Long Quest Ends with Acquisition of First Broons Annual
