Saturday 22 August 2009

The Illustrated London News

The Illustrated London News was the world's first illustrated weekly newspaper. Founded in 1842, it was published weekly until 1971.

Printer and newsagent Herbert Ingram moved from Nottingham to London in early 1842. Inspired by how the Weekly Chronicle always sold more copies when it featured illustrations, he had the idea of publishing a weekly newspaper which would contain pictures in every edition. He originally considered having it concentrate on crime, as per the later Illustrated Police News, but his collaborator Henry Vizetelly, instead convinced him that a newspaper which covered more general news would be more successful.

In association with Mark Lemon, the editor of Punch, as his chief advisor, Ingram rented an office, located artists and reporters, and employed as his editor the writer Frederick William Nayloy Bayley, former editor of the National Omnibus. The first edition of The Illustrated London News appeared on 14 May 1842. It contained 15 pages and 32 wood engravings, and covered the current war in Afghanistan, (Things don't change much do they?), a train crash in France, a steam-boat accident on the Chesapeake, a survey of the candidates for the US presidential election, in addition to lengthy crime reports, stage and book reviews, and three pages of advertisements.

By the end of the first year the circulation had risen to 60,000, by 1855 it was selling, over 300,000 copies every week, enormous figures compared to other British newspapers of the time. Competition appeared but it did not last long; Andrew Spottiswoode's Pictorial Times lost £20,000 before it was sold to Ingram, while Henry Vizetelly, who had left Ingram to found the rival Pictorial Times, eventually sold it to Ingram, who closed it down.

Herbert Ingram died on 8 September 1860 in a paddle-steamer accident on Lake Michigan, and he was succeeded as proprietor by his youngest son, William, who in turn was succeeded by his son, Bruce Ingram in 1900. The Illustrated London News was published weekly until 1971, when it became a monthly. From 1989 it was bi-monthly, and then quarterly. The magazine is no longer published, but the Illustrated London News Group still exists. It produces in-house magazines and website and offers consultancy services in addition to owning the archive of the Illustrated London News.

Kids Are Quick

Teacher: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
Simon: No Sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
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Teacher: Clyde, your composition on 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's. Did you copy his?
Clyde: No, Sir. It's the same dog.
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Teacher: Harold, what do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?
Harold: A teacher!

Petrol Prices


American Icon To Hit British Roads

American Icon - The Greyhound Bus
(Click on image to enlarge)
One of America's great icons, the 'Greyhound' bus is about to be seen in Britain. As from September a two-hour service will run from London to Portsmouth and Southampton.
In the 1930s Greyhound made it's first stop in Hollywood as the main setting for romance between Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert in the film 'It Happened One Night'. Since then the bus has featured in more famous films including 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' in 1961, and 'Midnight Cowboy' in 1969. The bus has also been featured in several songs.
The company was founded in 1914 by two immigrant miners, to carry people to town, two miles away. The business began in Hibbing, Minesota. Those first few miles kept multiplying as Greyhound opened up travel to people from small towns. They'd even stop at the side of the road.
Today, Greyhound buses transport about 22 million passengers each year. Will the greyhound recreate the great American dream here in Britain? Maybe, however, London to Portsmouth is hardly Route 66.

Animal Crackers


Lady Golfers

Having finished their round, three lady golfers sat having a drink in the clubhouse. After a while the subject turned to sex. One of the ladies suggested it might be fun to use the golf handicap system to rate their husbands performances in bed.

First Lady Golfer: "I would have to put my husband on a handicap of 5. He is so considerate, and loving, and satisfies me in every possible way."

Second Lady Golfer: "I would have to give my husband a handicap of 18. He is not gentle with me, only considers himself and it's all over in under two minutes."

Third Lady Golfer: After a long pause. "I'm afraid I can't give my husband a handicap. He hasn't put a card in for two years.





Church Bulletins



Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and do so.
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This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.
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The choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
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Thursday night - Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.