I was contacted some time back by magazine collector Steve Smith, who requested I put together a piece on collecting the Toronto Star Weekly. Steve explained that he’s an avid collector of the title himself, especially for the hockey material that the north of the border magazine produced in the 1950’s and 60’s.
The King inside the Toronto Star Weekly
For me the request was a case of the more you know, the more you’ve got to learn, as I was forced to profess I’d not handled that specific magazine title and beyond that I had to apologize for not being a hockey fan. I was simply not qualified to do the write-up. I offered Steve the opportunity to submit it himself though, and if it was good I’d put it up on my magazine collecting site–Steve did not disappoint!
If you’re not familiar with the Star Weekly yourself, well, Steve’s opening paragraph should make clear the type of publication we’re dealing with:
The Toronto Star Weekly was the weekend supplement to Canada’s largest paper The Toronto Star. The Star Weekly was first published in 1910 and was similar in size and content to Parade or The New York Times Magazine in the United States.
I’ve kept my own words off of Steve’s Toronto Star Weekly page, but will add my own thoughts here. For collectors these Sunday paper supplements are a great area not only for potential investment, but to unearth some unique items specific to your collecting niche. I deal a lot myself with some of the earlier supplements specializing in fiction and count the Mid-Week Pictorial among my favorite items to buy for resale.
Olivia de Havilland cover of The Star Weekly
Beyond the rarity of newspaper supplements we’re dealing with an extremely condition sensitive collectible. The paper that these were printed on, for the most part, is extremely brittle, more so even than a standard vintage newspaper itself. These are very prone to both heavy toning and chipping at the edges.
I believe these magazine sections of newspapers are kind of like orphan collectibles, often overlooked by magazine collectors and newspaper collectors alike. I really think they present a great opportunity for collectors.
Steve’s article is loaded with images from the Star Weekly and packed with information about collecting the title from his unique collecting perspective. A big thanks to Steve for his contribution, both to my site and the hobby in general. If you’re interested in doing something like this yourself, please don’t hesitate to contact me about it.
Read Collecting the Toronto Star Weekly A Special Contribution by Steve Smith on my Collecting Old Magazines site.
Hi. I’m not sure who to address this to as it doesn’t say, but I read your article about collecting old Toronto StarWeekly papers. I recently inherited a bunch of them, the Queens visit to Canada and mostly of her coronation. I must say, I’m not from that era, but I was amazed at the colors. Front pages and the ads. There is also a scrap book full of Stars of the Worlds Fastest Game from the late 50’s. Anyway, I was just wondering how do I go about seeing how much there worth or how do i find someone interested in buying this type of item. Thank-you. I live in Kitchener-Waterloo.
I have been looking for some old Star Weeklys from the 1930’s and 1940’s. I’d be interested in picking up some. I live in Hillsburgh
Mark skursky
contact Len at bldidur@gmail.com
8 copies of 1940’s issues.
I will be contacting T Star shortly.
I have recently come across a 1948 Star Weekly comic plus much more around the same year.
I’m looking specifically for the Christmas issue, not sure if it’s 1950, 1951 or 1952. I has a story of a Country Christmas of the James Brown family in Almonte.
We tore a house down and found a star weekly 18 page (9) comic section for Sept. 3 1949 and also an insert of The Redoubled cross by Rufus King. Is this paper of any value or shall I throw it out? Trudy
Trudy, I collect Star Weeklies. But generally only complete ones. However, if there is a Flash Gordon comic page, I’d be willing to give you a $10 money order. e-mail iancsexton@gmail.com
Are you still collecting the Star Weekly? I have 64 complete editions of the Star Weekly from April 7 1956 to Aug 18 1962. Are looking for any issues in this time period?
Would you happen to have the April 4, 1959 issue? I’d be interested.
Sorry I haven’t been into this site recently. Yes I do have the complete April 4 1959 edition.
John 1/12/2021
How would I go about purchasing it. I live in Japan.
Sorry, I assumed my name would be attached.
Hi Ted;
Are you interested in the complete edition or just an article? If the latter I could scan the relevant material and email it to you.
Alternatively, I can ship it by mail in a 14″ x 19″ mailer (flat with cardboard to keep from folding).
Complete edition would be $25 CDN + $10 for packaging + shipping at cost.
Cheers, John
Hey guys, I’m not sure if you have a way of getting a hold of each other directly through these comments, but if either of you give permission I’ll email your email address to the other party so that you can pursue and/or complete this deal without sharing any sensitive info over here.
You have my permission to share my email address with Ted Huettig.
John Neilson
Thanks, John. I just sent Ted an email with that, using the emails that you’ve both used to comment here. Good luck guys, hope you can make a deal!
hi wondering about an issue from I believe April 15 1956 article on my mother becoming a vet my copy has no cover hopefully you can help ! thank you
I am looking for the Star Weekly magazine with a picture of a Navy wife in Aklavik in either 1953 or 54. The story talks about armed forces in the north. She is dressed in a parka and is holding a small girl also dressed in a black parka. I’m that little girl and still have the parka. If nayone can help I’d really appreciate it.
I am looking for information on the dates of the Star Weekly The Canadian magazines from 1966 to 1969 that deal with NEW CAR ISSUES. Can anyone tell me the month and date of issue for 1966,67,68 and 1969.
Maybe Steve Smith can help or ?
Thanks!
Chris
I am looking for a restaurant review for le petite maison restaurant most likely published in 1980-1982?
I have a number of Star Weekly from 1951, 52 & 53 featuring the Royal Family. Some pictures are wonderful. A few have missing pages but the majority are in good condition. How do I know the value of this collection?? Thanks Faith
I am looking for one probably published in 1951 that had an article about three Daily Star delivery boys, Gary, Jack and Jim. Do you have that one?
is there a spot where the covers of the old maazines are posted – I am looking for 1942 to 1942 covers – in particular a photo of a sailor smoking a large pipe on leave – with a caption ‘the life of RIley’
Hello @Tay754. While I don’t have a gallery of Star Weekly covers, there are a handful of select covers shown in the guest article by Steve Smith which can now be found on my Collecting Old Magazines website. Good luck!
I am looking for a specific issue of the Star which was obviously a halloween issue, but which I can’t make out the date on. I will post the image. I let this item slip through my fingers on ebay and have regretted it ever since. Can anyone help me locate one, or, at the very least, tell me what date this issue is?
My brother bought a house and found a number of Star Weekly magazines from 1944 and 1945, we think the whole magazine is there. Are they worth anything?
I have 3 or 4 hundred Star Weeklys from ’39 to early 60’s. Most were distributed in Vancouver. My father was an artist and collected them. There’s lots of war issues and Royal issues. I’m checking my collection to see if I have any issues requested in previous posts.
Yes, thank you. Unfortunately I never have had any of these in stock (this article was by a guest contributor), so I’m ill-equipped to answer specifics about the Star Weekly.
Greetings;
In one issue there is a photo spread of the escape tunnels used by German
Prisoners of War at Angler, ON., in 1941.
Would you know the date of that issue?
Thank you,
Robert
I am looking for an article in the star week about my girl cousins whom grew up on Sable Island off the coast of Nova Scotia. It was probably published sometime during 1956-57 .Do you have this? Russthomas@bwr.eastlink.ca thanks Russ
Thanks for checking, Doug
Chris
I’m looking for a Toronto Star Weekly that featured Moxie Whitney, then Big Band leader at the Royal York Hotel after his return from a year away in Hawaii. It would have been in the early 1960s. I don’t know which issue or who was on the cover
I have a Star Weekly that I am trying to find the Value of, I cannot find it anywhere onine the date on the magazine is October 6 1951 featuring Princess Elizabeth and her tour of Canada. if anyone has any information please contact me dahlgurl@yahoo.com
We have put together a book of Toronto Star Weekly covers and content during WWII. You may find our gallery of excerpts interesting.
http://thistlexpress.com/gallery_the_star_weekly_at_war.htm
Looking good @facebook-100003552056209:disqus best of luck with the book!
How much is september 2, 1944 superman comicstrip worth?
Death Comes Grinning By Peter Yates Never before published in a book or other form. Star Weekly Complete Novel Toronto, Saturday January 18,1947
I’m looking for Star Weekly issues for July of 1945 – any out there? email trent@tayloradams.net
I have a June 21 1959 Star Weekly. This edition is Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip at the Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Any ideas of what the value would be?
Hi to everyone…Does anyone have or remember the issue of the Star Weekly that had a whole spread of pictures and an article on Robert Bateman?? I am not sure but believe it to be late 60’S If any one can help please email billmackeigan@eastlink.ca. Thanks in advance…
A friend of mine just found over 100 papers from 1937 at the site he’s working at. Any ideas on worth?
I was on the cover of the star weekly dec 1966 the boy who fell off the train ist it possible to find a copy tower430@gmail.com
What was the name of comic strip that comprised of a family. I recalled that they were bald and wore red and white stripped tops.
Do you have an email for Steve Smith? I was looking for a 1973 edition that includes me with a pinball machine.
Charlie, I’m sorry, but unfortunately I haven’t heard from Steve since 2009.
I’m looking for a Christmas Edition 1951. It had a rural family Christmas of the Browns in Almonte Ontario.
Looking for the comic strip The Teenie Weenies that was in the Star Weekley .
I have an almost complete collection of the Teenie Weenies comic strip (over 2000!), and have amassed quite a few duplicates. I also have a TW Group page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheTeenieWeenies/ – all are welcome to visit and join.
I have a June 29, 1959 edition of The Telegram in Toronto featuring Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Canada. The front page exclaims, “They’re here!”
The paper is in relatively good condition and I am wondering if this paper is worth much, if anything.
Thanks but my request is more for a specific article. My father’s family were the subject of a Christmas photo spread.
Hi,
The Star Weekly was so cool!
I am looking for one from ’72 or early ’73 with a feature on Denis Potvin.
Doesn’t have to be minty…I’d just like to re-read the article.
-Ron
I have a number of Star Weekly’s ranging from dates 1940 – 1943 and looking to sell the whole lot for the right price. A total of about 35-40 star weekly magazines. If interested please contact (stevesadlier@hotmail.com)
I am looking for the Star Weekly comic pages from 1948 to 1952.. also the Star Weekly magazine.
If any one could tell me where I could get these copies please contact me at
Thank You..
If anyone has a copy of the issue from summer between 1962 and 1964 (I think) titled “togetherness down the farm”- well I’m the really cute redheaded kid on the cover. Love to get a copy.
A. LIPSON in Toronto
Good day, I just found your contact after an online search for the Star weekly.
Quite a long time ago maybe 1960 I was in a cover photo. I was with 3 or 4 friends standing on an old bridge over the Don River near Don Mills. If you have this cover would you be able to share it with me? If not would you be able to point me in the right direction to get it?
Thank you, Rick
I have a Jan 5 1952 Star wekkly 24 page with Patrica Medina on the cover just wondering what the value of this would be ?
I have a collection of old star weeklys from the 50,s one issue has the special feature of the coronation of the queen , I believe it was 1951. can you give me some estimate as to value. its better those issues get preserved somehow because as they get older they seem to deteriorate more rapidly. some future generation might enjoy those easy lifestyle colourfull issues. rick
have the May 20 1967 Star Weekly with the Stanley Cup and George Armstrong on front cover what would this be worth ?
I have a number of Toronto Star Weekly and looking to sell the whole lot for the right price. A total of 64 complete editions ranging from April 7 1956 to August 18 1962, Plus 197 complete novels ranging from April 9 1949 to December 26 1959. If interested please contact me at: john@nalconsulting.net.
I collect old Star Weekly Magazines from 1940 through 1945 – I still need many of these issues in my efforts to complete the collection. If you have any in good or better condition just email me with the issue dates at : halbartlett@msn.com
Many thanks!
Hal
i have some in fair condition
I am looking for a 1962 Toronto Star Weekly, with a center two page Jello Car Coin ad. If you have one for sale, or at least give me a date of the magazine, i would appreciate it. Thank you. John
I have approximately 240 issues of the star weekly from 1939-1945 most in amazing condition all are full and never split up. lots of 2 page car ads , maps of the world at war and other ads from hienz, ccm, players cigarettes and more. where can I find info on them? thanks. Jay
Hi,
I stumbled across this site by accident. I am looking for a short story that appeared in a magazine, probably a November or December issue. The story, as I remember, is two or three pages long and about Santa bumping his head and almost missing Christmas… on a further note, I remember an ad for Heinz ketchup and the bottles had Santa beards and hats. I am interested in a copy of the story and don’t require the magazine (although that is an option). I would like to share this fond memory of a Christmas story I’ve forgotten with my grandson. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Forgot to add the years! Probably between 1964 and 1972… Thanks.
Hello, I inherited a bunch of magazines and most of them are just pretty random pages. I stumbled across this site accidentally and I read a few comments. If anyone is interested in the July 9, 1949 Star weekly, Amos Sewell cover art please let me know. This is only the front and back cover though so not sure what it’s worth, if anything. It doesn’t look as though the rest of the magazine is anywhere Among these papers. Thanks!
messienessie@hotmail.com
Hello, my name is Christi, and I am looking for the October 16, 1965, Toronto Star Weekly with the article “A GO-GO” if anyone has it or knows where I can get it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Sorry Christi, I have complete issues of the Toronto Star Weekly from 1956 – 1962, but alas not 1965.
John