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Publisher: Thorpe & Porter
Years in Operation: 1951 - 1979
Disclose Detail
Country: Flag United Kingdom Web Site: Brands: 3 Indicia Publishers: 12 Series: 165 Printings: 3284 (2932 Issues) Disclose Notes: Mostly published US reprints.

In the early 1960s, Thorpe & Porter either acquired or distributed a number of Arnold Book Company's titles. Also in the early 1960s, the imprint Strato was launched, but lasted only a few years. Another imprint, Top Sellers, was more successful and lasted until well into the 1970s.

The company was bought by DC Comics in 1965. In 1965-1966, a number of original-material titles were published.

From 1959, Thorpe & Porter were the sole distributor of both US DC and US Marvel comics in the UK. Marvel comics were issued with the covers altered (in the USA) to show a UK price instead of US price; whilst the cover month was removed. DC comics were franked with a circular UK price stamp, after their arrival. A few Marvels were also price-stamped in similar fashion.

Marvel importation was erratic, due to Marvel UK's promotion of their own reprints, which meant some titles were not offered for periods [Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel, 1963 series) is a prime example].
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Indicia Publisher Name Years in Operation Printings (Issues)
FlagArnold Book Co. Disclose
Note: Address: 2 Lower James Street, London W1.
? - 14 (63)
FlagBible Pictures Inc. Ltd. 1960 - 1960 0 (3)
FlagGeneral Books Distribution Disclose
Note: General Books Distribution (G.B.D. Ltd.) was the adult only titles imprint of Thorpe & Porter. Some issues had 'General Books Distribution' or 'General Books Distributions'.
? - 0
FlagGeneral Books Distributions Disclose
Note: General Books Distribution (G.B.D. Ltd.) was the adult only titles imprint of Thorpe & Porter. Some issues had 'General Books Distribution' or 'General Books Distributions'.
? - 0
FlagHermitage 1952 - ? 4 (6)
FlagJenson 1952 - ? 18 (19)
FlagStrato Publications Disclose
Note: Address: 39 Upper Brook Street, London W1.
? - 6
FlagStrato Publications Ltd. Disclose
Note: Address: 39 Upper Brook Street, London, W.1.
? - 89 (148)
FlagThorpe & Porter (Sales) Ltd. ? - 3
FlagThorpe & Porter, Ltd. Disclose
Note: Address: 39 Upper Brook Street London, W.1.
? - 50 (81)
FlagTop Sellers Ltd. Disclose
Note: Addresses: - Top Sellers Ltd., 283 Cricklewood Broadway, London. - Top Sellers Ltd., Melton Road, Thurmaston, Leicester.
? - 781 (849)
FlagWilliams Publishing and Distributing Co. Ltd. ? - ? 8

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