Saturday 22 April 2017

Big Match magazine - Big Match Soccer Super Album Superstar Stickpix (02)


1976-77
Big Match Soccer Super Album Superstar Stickpix
Big Match magazine
180+ cut-outs

Gerard Scully has provided more information about Big Match which I thought might interest some collectors.

Here's some more detailed information I gathered by researching each issue.... It may be more than required, but at least it's done now!
I have all but two of the first 26 issues (missing nos 4, 18... and 27 onwards - if they ever published???)
Big Match - issue no. 1 came out, I reckon, in October 1974. (no. 2 has November in the bottom right hand corner and it's meant to be a monthly! - scans added). It features Johan Cruyff on the cover and has an article 'Ray Kennedy- a New King for the Kop', which states that the lethal Arsenal partnership with John Radford was split up when on July 12th Ray Kennedy took his striking talents to Liverpool. Price 20p; Size 11.5" high x 8.5" wide. Fold pattern... allows for magazine to open to pages 1&2, then 3&4, then upward fold to reveal large poster
Initial publisher was Aquarius Publications Ltd., 73 Goswell Road, London ECI  and the printer was Collier/Searle Limited, Harlesden, London NW10. (There are no distribution details). Such details were carried on the inside pages which featured the large poster of the player/players and varied between the lower margin and the dividing margin if two players were featured.
Big Match - issue no. 3 saw a price change to 25p
Big Match - issue no. 4 - as advised, I am missing no 4....
Big Match - issue no. 7, the printer changed to James Upton Ltd., Birmingham. Reproduction by Rainbow Reproduction, Rosoman Street, London EC1. Distributed by Conde Naste, Belmont Road, London W4.
Big Match - issue no. 9 carries no details of printer, all other details remain unchanged.
Big Match - issue no. 10 - Aquarius address changed to 1 Wardour Mews, London W1, Graphics by Rainbow Reproductions, Printed in England - (no other details at all)
Big Match - issue no. 12 saw a size change to 12" high x 9.25" wide. Fold pattern also changed to open to a two page magazine, an upward turn of the pages was required to get to the next 4 pages and then another turn to open the poster (sounds more complicated than it is!) Anyway, just wanted to flag there was a style change but no change to other details.
Big Match - issue no. 13 saw a price increase to 30p. Details also changed to the bottom of back page, as follows:- Published by Aquarius Publications Limited, 1 Wardour Mews, London W1, Distributed by Argus Distribution, Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset.
Big Match - issue no. 16, saw details changed to: published buy Hadrian Publishing Ltd, 1 Wardour Mews, London W1, Distributed by Argus Distribution Ltd, Printed by Carlisle Web Offset.
Big Match - issue no. 17 states... Look out for the new-look 'Big Match' next month! Order your copy now! (see scan).
Big Match - issue no. 18 - as advised, I am missing no 18 myself....
Big Match - issue no. 19 states Vol/2 no 19.... it was produced by GRB Associates, published by Hadrian Publications Limited, 3 New Burlington Street, London W1, Printed in England. Size 11 5/8" high x 8.25" wide with 32 pages.
Big Match - issue no. 20 (Vol2/no 20 - July sees price rise to 45p and the Special Double Issue features details of forthcoming collection, 48 pages.
Big Match - issue no. 21 - September 1976, price again 30p... 32 pages features first 32 players for the Big Match Soccer Super Album, on glossy paper and have no specific backing, or adhesive. The backs carry full pages posters of Bobby Kerr & Jim Montgomery (Sunderland).
It carries details as follows:- Big Match is published monthly (except July) by Hadrian Publication Ltd., 3 New Burlington Street, London W1 and distributed by Argus Distribution Ltd., Paul Street, London EC2. Editorial Production by GRB Associates, Reproduction by Rainbow Reproduction Ltd., 63-65 Rosoman Street, London EC1, Printed by Southernprint Ltd., Poole, Dorset. There is no change in these details right through to & including issue no 26.
Big Match - issue no. 22 - October, 32 pages, the next 32 players for the Big Match Soccer Super Album - backing is full poster of John Mahoney (Stoke City & Wales) and Terry Yorath (Leeds United & Wales).
Big Match - issue no. 23  - November, 32 pages, the next 32 players for the Big Match Soccer Super Album, backing is Ian Moores (Tottenham Hotspur) & Jim Platt (Middlesbrough).
Big Match - issue no. 24 - December, 32 pages, a further 32 players for the Big Match Soccer Super Album, backing is Billy Bonds (West Ham United) & Geoff Merrick (Bristol City).
Big Match - issue no. 25 - January 1977, 24 pages, another 32 players for the Big Match Soccer Super Album, backing is John Sammels (Leicester City) & Arfon Griffiths (Wrexham & Wales).
Big Match - issue no. 26 - February 1977, 24 pages, the 20 players for the Big Match Soccer Super Album, backing is Duncan McKenzie (Everton).

1 comment:

  1. I have nÂș 4 (Steve Heighway cover?)but have never seen any of the issues after it changed format. Any ideas where they can be found? Thanks for any information on this.

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