The Glasgow Looking Glass
| 'The Glasgow Looking Glass' | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publication date | 11 June 1825 – 3 April 1826 |
The Glasgow Looking Glass was the first mass-produced publication to tell stories using illustrations, and as such is regarded as the earliest comics magazine. The final issue was published on 3 April 1826.[1]
Publishing history[edit]
The title was published by Glasgow lithographic printer John Watson[2] and its principal strip illustrator was William Heath. The fourth issue contained History of a Coat, its first comic strip. After the fifth issue, the title was changed to The Northern Looking Glass to reflect broader Scottish concerns.
Format[edit]
The fortnightly publication provided satirical snapshots of Glasgow society, British culture and 19th-century fashions. Innovations included use of the term "To be continued" and word balloons.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Stewart-Robertson, Tristan (24 June 2013). "World's first comic book from Glasgow in spotlight". The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
- ^ "The Glasgow Looking Glass". University of Glasgow. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
- ^ "'World's first comic' is up for auction". The Times. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
William Heath's Glasgow Looking Glass was a pioneering publication which is said to have coined the phrase " . . . to be continued".
Categories:
- Comics magazines published in the United Kingdom
- Magazines established in 1825
- Magazines disestablished in 1826
- 1825 establishments in Scotland
- 1826 disestablishments in Scotland
- Comics before 1900
- Lithography
- Communication design
- Graphic design
- Planographic printing
- Printmaking
- Defunct magazines published in the United Kingdom
- Biweekly magazines published in the United Kingdom