Vanity Fair (magazines)

Vanity Fair has been the title of at least five magazines, including an 1859–1863 American publication, an unrelated 1868–1914 British publication, an unrelated 1902–1904 New York magazine, and a 1913–1936 American publication edited by Condé Nast, which was revived in 1983.[1][2]

This article is about magazines bearing the name Vanity Fair. For the modern magazine of the same name, see Vanity Fair (magazine).
Cover of the June 1916 Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair is notably a fictitious place ruled by Beelzebub in the book Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.[3] Later use of the name was influenced by the well-known 1847–48 novel of the same name by William Makepeace Thackeray.

Vanity Fair (1859–1863), American

The first magazine bearing the name Vanity Fair appeared in New York as a humorous weekly, from 1859 to 1863.[4][5][6] The magazine was financed by Frank J. Thompson, and was edited by William Allen Stephens and Henry Louis Stephens. The magazine's stature may be indicated by its contributors, which included Thomas Bailey Aldrich, William Dean Howells, Fitz-James O'Brien and Charles Farrar Browne.

Vanity Fair (1868–1914), British
Main article: Vanity Fair (British magazine)

The second Vanity Fair was published from 1868 to 1914 in Britain as a weekly magazine. Subtitled "A Weekly Show of Political, Social and Literary Wares", it was founded by Thomas Gibson Bowles, who aimed to expose the contemporary vanities of Victorian society. Colonel Fred Burnaby provided £100 of the original £200 capital, and suggested the title Vanity Fair after Thackeray's popular satire on British society.[7] The first issue appeared in London on November 7, 1868. It offered its readership articles on fashion, current events, the theatre, books, social events and the latest scandals, together with serial fiction, word games and other trivia.

Bowles wrote much of the magazine himself under various pseudonyms such as "Jehu Junior", but contributors included Lewis Carroll, Willie Wilde, P. G. Wodehouse, Jessie Pope and Bertram Fletcher Robinson, with the latter editor from June 1904 to October 1906.[8]

A full-page, color lithograph of a contemporary celebrity or dignitary appeared in most issues, and it is for these caricatures that Vanity Fair is best known today.[7] Subjects included artists, athletes, royalty, statesmen, scientists, authors, actors, soldiers, religious personalities, business people and scholars. More than two thousand of these images appeared, and they are considered the chief cultural legacy of the magazine, forming a pictorial record of the period.[7]

The final issue of the British Vanity Fair appeared on February 5, 1914.

Vanity Fair (1902–1904), American

The Commonwealth Publishing Company of 110 West 42nd Street, New York City published Vanity Fair, also a weekly magazine. The publisher was incorporated in February 1902 and went into bankruptcy in April 1904.[9][10]

Vanity Fair (1913–1936), American
Main article: Vanity Fair (American magazine 1913–1936)

Another American Vanity Fair was edited by Condé Montrose Nast from 1913 until 1936, when it was merged into Vogue.[11]

Vanity Fair (1983–present), American
Main article: Vanity Fair (magazine)

Nast's magazine was revived in 1983 by Condé Nast Publications.[12] The current Vanity Fair is a monthly American magazine of pop culture, fashion, and politics published by Condé Nast Publications.[12]

References
  1. Vanity Fair, accessed 2014.10.30
  2. Vanity Fair: The One-Click History, accessed 2014.10.30
  3. "It beareth the name of Vanity Fair, because the town where it is kept is 'lighter than vanity.'"The Pilgrim's Progress; accessed 2014.10.30
  4. "Vanity Fair in University of Michigan Making of America". umich.edu. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  5. "Vanity Fair archives". upenn.edu. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  6. 1860s humor magazine also known as "Vanity Fair"
  7. Matthews, Roy T.; Mellini, Peter (1982). In 'Vanity Fair'. U. of California Press. p. 17. ISBN 9780859675970.
  8. Spiring, Paul R (2009). The World of Vanity Fair by Bertram Fletcher Robinson. London: MX Publishing. ISBN 978-1-904312-53-6.
  9. "Vanity Fair's Troubles". The New York Times. 12 April 1904. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  10. "Vanity Fair's Troubles" (PDF). The New York Times. Apr 12, 1094. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  11. "Happy 100th birthday, Vanity Fair!". CBS News. October 13, 2013. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
  12. Perlez, Jane (1983-03-30). "Vanity Fair Sparks Sharp Reaction". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-10-18.
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