The Illustrated London News first made its appearance on 14 May 1842 and has been published continually up to the present day. Weekly from 1842 to 1971, monthly until 1989, thence bi-monthly , quarterly and currently bi-annual, it is strong on all areas of World political, industrial and social history from the middle of the 19th century, including royalty, archaeology, science and invention, general news stories, architecture, sport, entertainment, education, poverty, transport and travel. Its artists included Frank Vizitelly, Melton Prior, Samuel Begg, Fortunio Matania, Bryan De Grineau, C E Turner, plus sought-after cutaway drawings by G.H Davis and Louis Wain’s cat cartoons.
The Graphic came into being at the end of 1869. It continued weekly until 1933 although our collection only dates to 1911. It specialised in world news events, the military, industry and sport, illustrating articles with excellent line engravings and sketches. It was very popular with servicemen abroad and many contributed both words and pictures to add authenticity to the reports of the many and various Empire Wars. Vincent van Gogh is believed to have applied to join The Graphic’s team of artists, but was sadly turned down!
This was a weekly publication beginning in 1874, specialising in the sporting life, country matters and the London theatre. It also covered matters military. Artists included the equine specialist John Sturgess and the crazy animal world of Louis Wain. In 1943 it changed its name to Sport and Country, in 1953 to Farm & Country and again in 1971 to Big Farm Management, where our association with it ceased. Throughout the title changes there was one constant: the ever-popular colourful Christmas number entitled Holly Leaves.
The Sphere was published weekly from 1900 to 1964, covering general news stories from the UK and around the world. Much of the overseas news features are reported in detail as the title was targeted at British citizens living in the colonies. Often confused with the Illustrated London News, it was phenomenally popular during the Second World War with graphic illustrations by renowned artists including W. G. Whitaker and Montague Dawson.
Our collection of this well-known publication begins with Issue 1, Volume one in July 1901. A weekly publication, it is filled with news and pictures of high society balls, charity events, race meetings, shooting parties, fashion and gossip. Cartoons by “The Tout” and H.M. Bateman were featured regularly. The Tatler merged with the Bystander and continued into the mid-1960’s, briefly changing its name to London Life before ceasing publication.
A weekly publication which ran from 1903 until its merger with The Tatler. It carried political comment and cartoons; sport, high society gossip and royal news. It carried cartoons by the popular World War One artist Bruce Bairnsfather, and Heath Robinson’s famous humorous drawings. There are good colour drawings in the 1920’s and 1930’s of leading holiday destinations at home and abroad.
Not to be confused with the Daily Sketch newspaper, this was a weekly publication (fortnightly from mid-WW2 onwards) featuring entertainment for the masses – music hall, vaudeville, early cinema, pin-up, high society, sporting occasions and light gossip. Famous contributors includes George Studdy with his mischievous animal cartoons, and saucy war-time beauties to cheer up the troops drawn by David Wright. It ceased publication in 1958.
Billed as a monthly magazine for men and women, this title ran from 1928 to 1958. Filled with romantic fiction, recipes, fashion, gossip on film stars, health and beauty tips, give-aways of “signed” famous Hollywood film stars there was little to interest the average male, other than a fleeting motoring review or a sporting page or two. Perhaps this is why Fortunio Matania was brought in to illustrate a series of Old Tales Re-told – most of them featuring countless drawings of scantily clad females! But the best feature of this strange title is surely the advertisements which sum up each decade perfectly. Illustrated War News
A weekly title that was published from August 12th 1914 to April 10th 1918. It is disappointing that the magazine did not carry on until the end of the war a few months later, but with severe paper shortages at the time, sacrifices – as always in the case of war – had to be made. Also disappointing is that the IWN has never been indexed. However, its pages contain a vast number of excellent photographs taken at home and abroad, with many graphic illustrations and sketches to give a fantastic all-round view of the First World War.
