*** boys historical clothing: advertisements showing boys' clothing publications Literary Digest








Magazinews with Boys's Clothing Advertisements: Literary Digest


Figure 1.--The "Literary Digest" was an important American magazxine during the early 20th century. The magazine often used art work on its covers. The actual were usually not relevant to HBC's assessment of historical fashion trends, but there were clothing advertisements. We are not sure who the artist here was, but suspect Sir Thomas Lawrence.

We do not know much about the Literary Digest at this time. We do know that it was a major American publication in the early 20th cebntury devoted to literature and culture. We do not know when the magazine was founded or until when it was published. The do not issues from 1908-36. While well known in the early 20th century, it is best known today as a footnote in the history of polling. The magazine conducted a poll using telephobne queries during 1936. It suggested at the time that Republican candidate Alf Landon would defeat Franklin Roosevelt in a landslide. Of course he did not. The poll is used as an example of the need for a pole to sample all sectors of the voting public. Many voters in 1936 coukd not afford telephones and most of them voited for President Roosevelt. The magazine was poublished by Funk & Wagnals which also published an encyclopedia. The magazine was published in both New York and London. As far as I know that was unuual as most magazines I know of were natioanlly based.

Nationality

We do not know much about the Literary Digest at this time. We do know that it was a major Aerican publication in the early 20th cebntury. The magazine was published in both New York and London. As far as I know that was unuual as most magazines I know of were natioanlly based.

Publisher

The magazine was poublished by Funk & Wagnals which also published an encyclopedia.

Magazine Focus

We had thought, perhaps because of the title, that the magazine was devoted to literature and culture. We notice that they commonly used art work on the covers which also suggests a cultural focus. Notice the cover here with an English masterwork (figure 1). The name is, however, a bit of a misnomer, because, although there are a certain number of articles on culture and the arts, the main thrust of the journal is political, dealing with religion, international affairs, and economic and civic issues. I've had a look at some copies of the Literary Digest during the 1910s. It was a very important national magazine that specialized in articles on foreign affairs, politics, literature, religion, economics and many other topics of interest to people interested in public affairs.

Chronology

We do not know when the magazine was founded or until when it was published. The do not issues from 1908-36.

Election Polling

While well known in the early 20th century, it is best known today as a footnote in the history of polling. The mgazine conducted a poll using telephobne queries during 1936. It suggested at the time that Republican candidate Alf Landon would defeat Franklin Roosevelt in a landslide. Of course he did not. The poll is used as an example of the need for a pole to sample all sectors of the voting public. Many voters in 1936 coukd not afford telephones and most of them voited for President Roosevelt.

Advertising

We do not have a complete picture of the type of advertising in the magazine. We note that there we quite a range of advertising in with the political, literary, and cultural articles. There wwere many family-oriented advertisements. The products offered were quite an electic mix. Many products are represented such as razors, shoes, collars, typewriters, tires, automobiles, fountain pens, bathroom fixtures, etc. No specialized areas of advertising. Men's and boys' clothes are strongly represented--though perhaps more emphasis on adults than on children. Underwear, however, is very prominent--especially men and boys' underwear.







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Created: 8:09 PM 10/12/2004
Last updated: 6:59 PM 10/14/2004