Vanity Fair: A Weekly Show of Political, Social, & Literary Wares, Vol. IX

1873

A.H. Reed Collection, Heritage Collection, Dunedin Public Library

London: ‘Vanity Fair’ Office

Vanity Fair: A Weekly Show of Political, Social, and Literary Wares(1868-1914) took its name from Thackeray’s novel and Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Established by Thomas Gibson Bowles, it was intended to be a ‘society’ magazine. In its early years, Bowles wrote most of the articles himself, hiding behind a range of pseudonyms to make it look as though the magazine boasted more contributors. Adopting a clear satirical mission, Vanity Fair’s first editorial pledged to ‘display the vanities of the week’, which it achieved through its distinctive caricatures of prominent public figures. The publication’s eventual success led to Bowles selling it off in 1889 for £20,000.