Illustrated Covers of British Vogue from 1909 Through 1940

August 21, 2012 9:49 AM

The Art of Vogue Covers details the illustrated covers of British Vogue from 1909 through 1940, including the entire collection of covers between 1920-1930. Most of the work showcased is by seasoned Vogue illustrators Helen Dryden, Georges Lepap, Harriett Maserol, George Plank and Eduardo Benito amongst others. Look for continuing additions at the Flickr set. This is literally just the tip of the iceberg.
posted by netbros (11 comments total)

This is literally just the tip of the iceberg.

Indeed, surface barely scratched there. Vogue covers were superb 70-100 years ago, uniquely compelling as a visual document of an era's aspirations. Just for fun, try this. Go to Google's image search and type in "vogue covers 1910" without the quotes. Enjoy. Then change 1910 to 1911, etc. It's extraordinary.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:08 AM on August 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

So beautiful. What's weird is, you could imagine almost any of them running today as a New Yorker cover without raising an eyebrow.
posted by yoink at 10:11 AM on August 21, 2012

I have a huge print of this cover from 1919, it's one of my prized possessions. Not long ago my kids got a Tom Tierney paper doll book of twenties fashion and that cover was replicated as one of the outfits.
posted by padraigin at 10:14 AM on August 21, 2012

These covers really made me want to become an illustrator growing up.
posted by The Whelk at 10:15 AM on August 21, 2012

These are so beautiful. I'd love to buy prints and hang them everywhere in my house. This one is an especial favorite. I can't look at it without thinking about The Great Gatsby. Not the content, specifically, but perhaps the mood.
posted by chatongriffes at 10:47 AM on August 21, 2012

Beautiful, but I'm not sure what's going on here.
posted by JoanArkham at 10:49 AM on August 21, 2012

These covers really made me want to become an illustrator growing up.

And, I, a fashion designer.

Because I'm such a Georgette Heyer fan, my friend in Yorkshire helped me get a fashionplate from one of the ladies fashion journals of that era, all mounted up and all.
posted by infini at 10:49 AM on August 21, 2012

Beautiful, but I'm not sure what's going on here.

Deer smuggling. You can get four or five into each of those sleeves if you do it right.
posted by yoink at 11:03 AM on August 21, 2012 [3 favorites]

Are these available ad prints anywhere?
posted by fshgrl at 11:31 AM on August 21, 2012

Stunning. Thank you so much!

Also, that could have been me just the other day. Funny.

I wish.
posted by Sayuri. at 1:11 PM on August 21, 2012

Nostalgic for those who miss silk stockings with seams in the back of the leg. The mood invoked by the illustrators simply can't be matched by photos.
posted by Cranberry at 3:51 PM on August 22, 2012