THE PASSING SHOW

( A USEFUL BRITISH COMPARISON OF 1920)

This is LIFE the humour magazine that ran from 1883 until its title was bought by Henry Luce for his new photo magazine in 1936. The page size is 23 x 29 cms. The volume I own is the first six months of 1920 and originally I used it in comparison with a volume of the English humour magazine The Passing Show to draw weighty conclusions about the differences between American and British graphic humour. Thurber was greatly admired by Paul Nash and much feted on a visit to the UK. Bateman and Emmett found much favour in the 'States.

The menu above allows comparative study in particular areas

1. the visual aspects of anti-Bolshevism;

2. visualising the past for comic purposes, (E.T.Reed and Forhill (above);

3. identifying the advertising attracted by a humour magazine;

4. the art of composing captions;

5. the cover design sustained and varied ;

6. both magazines ran themed issues from time to time;

7. Artists who published work in the UK and the US e.g. SULLIVANT, and David Low (see KEN)

8. sustained series of humourous drawings, e.g. Wives of Famous Men (Rea Irvin above)

9. The relationship between both magazines and the English publication, PUNCH.