Code: 10116
Original vintage London Life magazine dated September 9th 1939, an authentic pre-war British society and picture weekly featuring period advertisements, theatre and fashion interest, and evocative late 1930s London social history.
A wonderful piece of British pre-war ephemera, capturing the glamour and atmosphere of London just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War.
Historically, publications of this type are recognised as part of the visual culture that later influenced John Willie, whose post-war Bizarre magazine drew inspiration from earlier British glamour and society periodicals.
An evocative original issue of London Life published in the final peaceful months before the outbreak of the Second World War.
Rare Original Pre-War / Early Wartime Illustrated Periodical
An original issue of London Life, dated 9th September 1939, published in the very first week of Britain’s entry into the Second World War.
This evocative surviving example captures a remarkable moment in British social and publishing history — issued just six days after the declaration of war on 3 September 1939. Despite the momentous events unfolding across Europe, the magazine retains the glamour, escapism and popular culture styling for which London Life is celebrated.
The front cover features a striking and unusual bathing scene with the headline “Britain’s Cannibal Community”, leading to the sensational illustrated feature on the legendary Sawney Bean story, a wonderfully period piece of sensational journalism.
Inside are numerous original period photographic plates and illustrated articles, including film stars, fashion, society features, correspondence pages and dramatic human-interest stories, all presented in the distinctive late-1930s London Life style.
Notable images within this issue include appearances by Susan Hayward, Paulette Goddard, and Margaret Lockwood, alongside glamorous bathing and Hollywood promotional photographs that make these pre-war issues highly decorative as well as collectible.
CONDITION REPORT
Good original vintage condition overall for its age, with honest signs of wear entirely consistent with a pre-war periodical of this date. There is some colour loss to the cover, general age-related discolouration, together with a small tear / puncture loss to the front cover as shown in the photographs. The original staples show surface rust, commensurate with age.
There is a faint pencilled annotation to the front cover reading “complete £6”, visible in the photographs.
The rear cover shows a small corner loss and a blue pencil line, both clearly visible in the images provided.
Internally, the pages remain in good original condition overall and present very well, with strong imagery and excellent decorative appeal.
This does not materially detract from the magazine’s display or collectible appeal.
