Copies of world's first comic found in Barras donated to Glasgow

Glasgow Times

28-06-2025

It might never have happened at all were it not for a lucky find at the Barras, explains the man who has generously donated his volume of The Glasgow Looking Glass to the Mitchell Library.
Businessman Dr John Watson, former managing director of famous city printing firm John Watson & Co, is a direct descendant of the John Watson who printed the first editions of this famous comic.
Dr Watson with the Glasgow Looking Glass (Image: Amy McLaughlin's Photography)
After reading the Glasgow Times story about the 200th anniversary of the publication, he decided to donate the bound volume of issues to the city.
John explains: 'The significance of the Glasgow Looking Glass cannot be underestimated.
'It was, of course, the first mass market satirical publication to use illustrations to tell stories and therefore has a unique place in the history of comics.'
He adds: 'And it was seemingly lost in time, lying as it was among dusty folios at The Barras market.'
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It was discovered by Iain Milne, retired rugby internationalist and former sales director of Sun Chemicals, which supplied John Watson & Co with ink over many years.
Startled by the find, Iain called John and handed it over to him for safekeeping.
John adds: 'I was delighted to receive it and I'm very grateful to Iain for finding it. I'm even more delighted to be donating it to the city in this most special year, as Glasgow celebrates its 850th anniversary.'
(Image: Amy McLaughlin's Photography)
John, who recalls his father talking about premises in George Street, where Glasgow Looking Glass was originally printed, sold the business in 2013.
Since his retirement, he focuses on helping charities through The Watson Foundation.
He adds: 'This priceless publication remains a treasured possession - now in the safe keeping of the city - and it can be enjoyed by a modern-day audience who would like a comic glimpse into the past.'
(Image: Amy McLaughlin's Photography)
As part of the 200th anniversary of the publication of The Glasgow Looking Glass, John handed over his compendium to Susan Taylor, Special Collections librarian.
Susan Taylor with The Glasgow Looking Glass (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
Susan said: 'The Mitchell Library is delighted to accept this generous donation, with its unique provenance, that is, being donated by a direct descendant of the editor and printer of the Glasgow Looking Glass.
'We look forward to sharing it more widely with current and future generations.'
The hand-over was part of Glasgow through the Looking Glass, a celebration to mark the anniversary, which also included talks by Dr Irene' O'Brien, senior archivist at Glasgow City Archives, Professor Laurence Grove of the University of Glasgow and Colin Maxwell of Maximised Comics, who presented the 'new' Glasgow Looking Glass for 2025, a publication full of the same irreverence as the original.
(Image: Amy McLaughlin's Photography)
Professor Grove said: 'Who would have believed that it's 200 years since comics were invented and they were invented in Glasgow?
'Maybe we should be giving that a little bit more attention as part of our world history. We're celebrating the 850 years of Glasgow; well, comics will last for more than 850 years to come.'
The day ended with a comic-drawing workshop run by Glasgow Life assistant Jamie Miller, after which some of the budding comic artists kindly donated their drawings to the Special Collections department.