Popular 20th Century Magazines

Question 1

Weekly

The Graphic

(1869-1932)

Answer 1

• A major publication
• Reported events from around the world.
• Magazine contains sophistocated and notable images within which makes it an impressive source for global history.
• The magazine also covered: the arts, rural affairs, science, sports, music, opera, and royal occasions. –> Likely an affluent readership.
• Notable leading artists: Luke Fildes, Sidney Sime and Sir Herbert Von Herkomer.
• The magazine is also a valuable resource for art students and researchers; Major authors to have feature include George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, Anthony Trollope, H Rider Haggard and H.G Wells.
• Published by Illustrated London News Group in London, England.

Question 2

Weekly

The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News

(1874-1970)

Answer 2

• Publication included wide coverage on sports, including equestrian, tennis, rugby, and rowing, as well as theatre, military and miscellanous topics. (a collection or a group) composed of members or elements of different kinds.
• Focuses narrowed to countryside affairs and later became known as Farm and Countryside until it ceased publication.
• Included stories from writers including Agatha Christie and Bram Stoker.
• Offers valuable material for the study of sport, drama, agriculture, and class dynamics.
• Published in London.
• Belongs to ‘The Illustrated London News’
• In 1883, the paper published a cartoon showing Oscar Wilde in convict dress which was considered at the time to be a very serious slur. –> Ideologies of paper.
• The paper is a good source of illustration from sporting and theatre events, such as images of horse racing -> Affluent hobby, interests the aristocracy.

Question 3

Weekly

The Bystander

(1903-1940)

Answer 3

• Publication packed with political satire, cartoons, and news, covering topics including society, motering, aviation, travel, sport, theatre, film and celebrity.
• Joined a series of publications belonging to the Illustrated London News.
• The Bystander focused on British “high society,” thereby appealing to a conservative, affluent readership.
• This publication reflected everyday life amongst Britain’s social elite, its coverage typically defined by a suitably whimsical satrical tone.
• Supplied light-hearted reading.
• Publication provided a platform for some of the most influential writers and artists of day including authors such as Daphne du Maurler and Hector High Munro.
• Very popular during the First World War for it’s series of cartoons by Bruce Bainsfather, entitled ‘Old Bill.’
• Witty critique of society provides valuable insights into contempary views of major 20th century events.

Question 4

Weekly

Illustrated War News [World War II edition]

(1939-)

Answer 4

• Unique publication which chronicaled the events of the Second World War.
• Each week, it produced a mix of photographers, diagrams, maps, and illustrations that covered the war on all fronts, including at sea, in the air, and at home.
• It also chronicaled the changing role of women and their lives throughout the war.
• Featured war personalities, advertisments in weaponary, and scene of life at the front.
• Publication offers a source of rich photojournalism, giving key insights into the contempory reporting of the conflict.

Question 5

The Sketch

Answer 5

• Largely devoted to the latest trends in drama and theatre, and was aimed at the middle and upper class sectors of society, thus giving insight into class characteristics and social mores of the period.
• It has a high photographic content, providing a valuable visual record of this period and the contemporary trends.
• It published stories by writers including Agatha Christie, George Gissing, and Walter de la Mare, while major illustrators who contributed include Max Beerbohm and
  Thomas Arthur Browne.
• It was a pioneering example of the New Journalism movement that subsequently flourished in the 1960s.

Question 6

Britannia and Eve

Answer 6

– Aimed at the “modern woman” of the time, this was one of the first titles of this type targeting a lower-middle-class readership.
- It provides ideal material to investigate 20th century class systems and relationships.
- It provides a rich source of Art Deco illustrations and advertisements.
- Topics covered include family, home, health, education, and careers, as well as society, politics, sport, and theatre

Question 7

London Life

Answer 7

• This short-lived but iconic publication offers a dive into the world of the 60s.
• The social commentary and editorial of this title act as a time capsule for the decade, reflecting the rapidly changing trends in popular culture, fashion, and entertainment

Question 8

The Sphere

Answer 8

• Launched in 1900, at the dawn of the new century, The Sphere’s tone and style felt fresh and modern, with images taking centre stage, and feature spreads providing an accessible combination of photographs and concise
  text.
• Subtitled “The Empire’s Weekly,” it was particularly orientated towards British citizens living abroad.
• It is a valuable source for international history in the 20th century and the latter stages of the British Empire.
• Renowned artists including WG Whitaker and Montague Dawson were contributors.
• It also published original fiction, including Thomas Hardy’s A Changed Man

Question 9

The Tatler

Answer 9

• The famous go-to society gossip magazine for the British upper classes, it was devoted to coverage of celebrities, the arts, fashion, rural sports, theatre, and royalty.
• It was full of engaging photography and used illustrations extensively from artists including Alfred Bestall, with cartoons from HM Bateman among other major contributors.
• Literary works that first appeared in this magazine include Michael Arlen’s The Gentleman from America.
• This title allows researchers to trace the evolution of 20th-century popular culture, in particular celebrities, the demi-monde, the so-called “Bright Young Things” and royalty and aristocrats of yesteryear