Sunday 26 November 2017

Frank Bellamy and How to be a Barrister

My regular correspondent David Slinn wrote to me about the Eagle comic series in which Frank Bellamy did one episode. I realised I had never mentioned it, so for your delight...!


Eagle Vol. 9:52, (27 December 1958) has a page in colour on the inside back page (the top half having the adventures of Mr. Therm, the British Gas symbol) and on the lower half, " He wants to be a... Barrister". I don't have all the Eagles published but looking quickly I can see this was a sporadic series. 

Eagle Vol. 9:52, (27 December 1958)
In Volume 9:45 "He wants to be a motor mechanic" was followed in Volume 9:46 by "He wants to be a laundry worker" illustrated by an unknown artist. As it was now getting towards Christmas 1958, I suspect the editor decided that space should go to advertisers and the number of pages was bigger too. This was until Bellamy's episode in Volume 9:52, then there are no more. However the Eagle adverts featuring many titles with the Eagle imprint show a title called I want to be...: an Eagle Book of Careers (3/6d). Ian & Sharon Hartas' excellent site show a cover of this as well as listing the contents.

And just for Anthony W. here's the cover and also the equivalent solicitor section ("Barrister" is in the index pointing here)  from this booklet



So the original 47 Eagle comic versions were so different, I felt I'd list them, here so if you have a mind to collect them all...!


  1. Carpenter - Vol.7:4, 27 January 1956
  2. Policeman - Vol.7:5, 3 February 1956
  3. Architect - Vol.7:6, 10 February 1956
  4. Engine Driver - Vol.7:7, 17 February 1956
  5. Chemist - Vol.7:8, 24 February 1956
  6. Forester - Vol.7:9, 2 March 1956
  7. Solicitor - Vol.7:10, 9 March 1956
  8. Merchant Seaman (1) - Vol.7:12, 23 March 1956
  9. Merchant Seaman (2) - Vol.7:13, 30 March 1956
  10. Commercial Artist - Vol.7:14, 6 April 1956
  11. Tile-Fixer - Vol.7:15, 13 April 1956
  12. Compositor - Vol.7:16, 20 April 1956
  13. Plasterer - Vol.7:17, 27 April 1956
  14. Book-binder - Vol.7:18, 4 May 1956
  15. Bricklayer - Vol.7:19, 11 May 1956
  16. Doctor - Vol.7:20, 18 May 1956
  17. Plumber - Vol.7:21, 25 May 1956
  18. Miner - Vol.7:22, 1 June 1956
  19. Civil Engineer - Vol.7:23, 8 June 1956
  20. Mechanical Engineer - Vol.7:24, 15 June 1956
  21. Electrical Engineer - Vol.7:25, 22 June 1956
  22. Fireman - Vol.7:26, 29 June 1956
  23. Farm Worker - Vol.7:29, 20 July 1956
  24. Accountant - Vol.7:32, 10 August 1956
  25. Dentist - Vol.7:38, 21 September 1956
  26. Surveyor - Vol.7:40, 5 October 1956
  27. Chef - Vol.7:44, 2 November 1956
  28. Veterinary Surgeon - Vol.7:46, 16 November 1956
  29. Blacksmith - Vol.7:47, 23 November 1956
  30. Civil Pilot - Vol.7:49, 7 December 1956
  31. Radio and T.V. Service Engineer - Vol.7:50, 14 December 1956
  32. Poultry Keeper - Vol.7:51, 21 December 1956
  33. Postman - Vol.7:52, 28 December 1956
  34. Foundry Worker - Vol.8:1, 4 January 1957
  35. Archaeologist - Vol.8:5, 1 February 1957
  36. Missionary - Vol.8:6, 8 February 1957
  37. Jockey - Vol.8:12, 22 March 1957
  38. Astronomer - Vol.8:13, 29 March 1957
  39. Games Master - Vol.8:16, 19 April 1957
  40. Air Steward - Vol.8:17, 26 April 1957
  41. Display Man - Vol.9:5, 31 January 1958
  42. Atomic Energy Engineer - Vol.9:8, 21 February 1958
  43. Motor Mechanic - Vol.9:45, 8 November 1958
  44. Laundry Worker - Vol.9:46, 15 November 1958
  45. Barrister - Vol.9:52, 27 December 1958 - see above
  46. Trawlerman - Vol.10:9, 28 February 1959
  47. Stockbroker - Vol.10:16, 18 April 1959

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