Smash Hits Magazine – 9–22 October 1996 – Spice Girls Cover – Rare Vintage UK Pop Magazine

Original UK Smash Hits magazine featuring the Spice Girls on the front cover, alongside articles and features about Boyzone, East 17, Peter Andre, Jamie Redknapp, REM and numerous other stars of the 1990s.

Published between 9 and 22 October 1996, this colourful vintage issue captures the height of 1990s British pop culture, when the Spice Girls were becoming an international phenomenon.

An excellent nostalgic collectible for fans of the Spice Girls, 1990s pop music, Britpop and original Smash Hits magazines.

Magazine Details

• Publication: Smash Hits

• Issue Date: 9–22 October 1996

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Original Cover Price: 90p

• Format: Printed music and entertainment magazine

• Condition: Pre-owned – vintage condition

• SKU: 1609

Front Cover – Spice Girls

The striking front cover features all five original members of the Spice Girls:

• Melanie Brown (Scary Spice)

• Melanie Chisholm (Sporty Spice)

• Emma Bunton (Baby Spice)

• Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice)

• Victoria Adams (Posh Spice)

The group are photographed bursting through a bright pink torn-paper design, creating a lively, energetic image characteristic of the group's early career.

The photograph captures the five members laughing, smiling and reaching towards the camera.

The large cover headline reads:

"KER-POW! THE SPICE GIRLS TEAR IT UP – INSIDE!"

The cover also advertises features on East 17, Jamie Redknapp, Peter Andre, Boyzone, 3T, REM, Pulp, Space, Jas Mann, Dina Carroll, Jamie Theakston and Deep Blue Something.

Inside the Magazine – Features and Articles

The Spice Girls – Page 14

A prominent feature dedicated to the five-piece girl group during their breakthrough year.

The contents page includes a group photograph showing the members posing together in colourful outfits.

This is particularly appealing to collectors of early Spice Girls memorabilia, dating from the group's original five-member era.

Jamie Redknapp – Page 20

A feature on Liverpool and England footballer Jamie Redknapp.

The contents page includes a photograph of Redknapp alongside two other men, making this an interesting crossover issue for collectors of 1990s football and celebrity magazines.

East 17 & Gabrielle – Page 24

Music coverage featuring East 17 and British singer Gabrielle, two prominent names in the UK music scene during the 1990s.

REM – Page 28

Coverage of American alternative rock band REM, adding further appeal for collectors interested in 1990s rock music.

Deep Blue Something – Page 34

Feature on the American alternative rock band known for their 1990s hit Breakfast at Tiffany's.

The group also appear on the illustrated songwords pull-out shown in the photographs.

Boyzone – Page 50

A feature on Irish boyband Boyzone, one of the most successful pop groups of the decade.

The contents page includes a photograph of the group dressed in dark suits.

Songwords Pull-Out

The magazine includes a clearly photographed Smash Hits Songwords Pull-Out featuring Deep Blue Something on its opening page.

The colourful page displays a group photograph of the four band members against a blue background, with bold orange and white lettering.

The pull-out advertises songwords associated with:

• Deep Blue Something – Breakfast at Tiffany's

• Super Furry Animals – If You Don't Want Me to Destroy You

• Spice Girls – Say You'll Be There

• The Beautiful South – Rotterdam

• Toni Braxton – Un-Break My Heart

• Manic Street Preachers – Kevin Carter

• Everything But The Girl – Single

The photographed pull-out remains attached within the magazine.

Advertised Posters

The contents page advertises eight posters featuring the following celebrities and music acts:

• Spice Girls – The original five-member British girl group.

• Jamie Redknapp – Liverpool and England footballer.

• The X-Files – The popular 1990s science-fiction television series.

• Mark Morrison – British R&B singer.

• Peter Andre – Pop singer.

• Benji McNair – Actor.

• Eternal – British R&B girl group.

• Boyzone – Irish pop group.

These subjects are specifically named in the original magazine's poster section.

Important: The photographs confirm that the magazine advertises these posters, but the individual poster pages have not all been photographed or independently checked. Their presence and completeness cannot be guaranteed.

Additional Magazine Content

The photographed contents page also lists several regular Smash Hits sections:

What's the Story? – Page 4

Pop news, celebrity stories and entertainment updates.

Star Wars – Page 18

A regular feature focusing on pop stars and entertainment personalities.

Free Stuff – Page 28

Promotional giveaways and competitions from the original publication.

Puzzles – Page 27

Interactive entertainment for readers.

Bandwatch – Page 48

Music industry coverage and updates on bands.

The Biscuit Tin – Page 54

A regular Smash Hits feature.

Horoscopes – Page 56

Astrology and star-sign predictions.

Letters – Page 58

Reader correspondence.

Reviews – Page 60

Contemporary music reviews and opinions.

The Hits Files – Page 71

Further music-related content.

The issue offers an interesting snapshot of the music, celebrities, fashions and popular culture of October 1996.

Condition – Please Read Carefully

Pre-owned vintage magazine showing signs of age, storage and previous handling.

Having examined the supplied photographs, the following condition details are visible:

Front Cover:

• The colourful Spice Girls cover remains attractive and clearly readable.

• Light surface rubbing and handling marks are visible.

• Some minor wear is present around the outer edges.

• Small signs of wear are visible along the spine and corners.

• The cover retains its strong pink, yellow and blue colouring.

Spine and Binding:

• The spine appears intact in the photographs.

• Minor rubbing and handling wear are visible along the spine.

• The magazine opens normally in the photographed interior views.

• No major separation of the photographed pages is apparent.

Internal Pages:

• The photographed interior pages remain bright and colourful.

• Printed photographs and text are clearly visible.

• Some light page curvature, handling creases and minor edge wear are present.

• The Deep Blue Something songwords page is photographed and appears attached.

• No major tears are apparent in the photographed interior pages.

Back Cover:

• The back cover features a colourful Smash Hits promotional advertisement advertising a large free-stuff bag and 200 stickers.

• The printed design remains bright and readable.

• Some light surface and edge wear is visible.

Overall Condition:

A presentable vintage copy with general age-related and handling wear.

This is not a new or mint-condition magazine.

Please study all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description. The entire magazine has not been inspected page by page.

Important Information About Original Extras

This listing is for the vintage magazine only, including any contents still physically attached.

Any original loose gifts, promotional items, stickers, competition prizes, separately supplied supplements or other extras that may originally have accompanied the magazine are not included.

The songwords pull-out is pictured within the magazine.

Advertised poster content has not been fully verified, so buyers should not assume every originally advertised poster is present or complete.

Packaging and Delivery

We take care when packaging vintage magazines to help protect them during transit.

UK Orders:
The magazine will be sent in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders:
The magazine will be sent in a sturdy cardboard mailer box for additional protection during international delivery.

Collector Appeal

A nostalgic original issue of Smash Hits from October 1996, featuring the Spice Girls during their breakthrough year alongside Boyzone, East 17, Peter Andre, REM and other recognisable names from the decade.

Particularly appealing to collectors of:

• Original 1990s British pop magazines

• Spice Girls memorabilia

• Boyzone and East 17 memorabilia

• Britpop and alternative rock

• Vintage music journalism

• 1990s entertainment and celebrity culture

A rare vintage music magazine offering a colourful snapshot of the British pop scene in 1996.

SKU: 1609