An original Daily Mail Nipper Annual from 1940, produced at the start of the Second World War. Wartime children’s annuals like this are increasingly hard to find in complete condition and remain popular with WW2 Home Front collectors.

This early-war Nipper Annual features light-hearted cartoons, simple stories, and colourful illustrations created to boost children’s morale during the uncertain opening months of WW2. Printed on lower-grade wartime paper and often heavily used, many copies failed to survive, making intact examples like this one notably scarce. This copy remains bright and complete, showing only expected edge wear to the covers while retaining clean, solid pages throughout. A charming piece of WW2 Home Front ephemera, ideal for collectors of wartime publications and children’s books alike.

It is not in perfect condition, with small rips and softening to the corners (see photos). However, the interior pages remain bright, the colours strong, and all text perfectly clear. Most of the wear is confined to the cover; the internal content is in good condition. Clearly dated 1940 on the front, this is an early-war publication produced before restrictions on coloured inks were introduced.

A friendly, nostalgic Home Front item that collectors love — and an evocative reminder of what wartime looked like through the eyes of British children.