rare old magazines - collectors items

Rare vintage magazines

Under this heading, we place a number of magazines and documents that can be called rare vintage magazines, to say the least. These are documents that bear detailed testimony to a particular event in the past. It is possible that the document housed here is a special edition of an existing magazine and that, in order to consult the regular editions, you should look under the English, Dutch or French sections of this website. (e.g. “Soir Illustré”) It is also possible that all issues of a certain title were classified as rare vintage magazines because the magazine itself was linked to one specific event. (e.g. ‘Signal’ which was a National Socialist magazine); and finally, there are one-off issues linked to a particular event. (e.g. the programme booklet of the 1935 World Fair in Brussels)

Thus, we distinguish the following themes among the rare vintage magazines … (Please note: these themes will certainly be expanded in the coming months and years, as will the number of documents per theme, of course.

The former Belgian Congo;
The 1935 World’s Fair in Brussels;
Catholic magazines, whether politically dominant or not;
War magazines (WWII) (in the French-language periodicals section, under the heading ‘Patriote Illustré’, you will find many issues reporting on the war.);
Short-lived post-war editions;
magazines about the Belgian royal family;
other

This magazine is a special edition of the magazine ‘Soir Illustré’ that deals with daily life on the one hand and the position that the country and the local (Belgian) authorities took with regard to the Allies during the Second World War on the other hand; and this on an economic, military and logistic level. You will learn, for example, how Great Britain tightened its grip on the Beglian colony and much more.

One of the rare vintage magazines with lots of pictures and lots of surprising facts.

This publication is not a magazine but rather a brochure on university education in the Belgian Congo dating from after 1958.

It goes into great detail about everything concerning university education, such as the courses offered, the buildings, the equipment, the students and their stay, the history, the university mission, the cooperation agreements as well as marginal organisations such as hospitals, supported by many statistics and decorated with quite a few pictures. Fascinating reading material from another time and another ‘planet

This brochure was published on the occasion of the 1958 World Fair in Brussels. It is the booklet of the pavilion Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi and deals with agriculture, cattle breeding, forests and fisheries in this country. It is a rather bulky brochure in Dutch and French with many pictures of the exhibition only, so no pictures from Congo itself. Anyone interested in agriculture and/or our former colony and the views of the white western man and woman of the time will find something to enjoy here. One of the rare vintage magazines with a lot of impact.

A concrete monster in an almost untouched region.

This is one of the rare vintage magazines that is a construction report with a lot of technical data, from the site analysis through the different stages of construction to the commissioning. This edition is adorned with quite a few photos both technical and situational.

This 1928 issue was indeed a monthly magazine. Engels (VK) The content deals with Belgian Congo but highlights the life of the colonial. This 1928 issue was indeed a monthly magazine. When people talk about the indigenous people, it is through the eyes of the white woman or man. This gives the reader an insight into the lavish villas, the lives of the prisoners, the handling of monkeys, nature, mining, the population and shipping.

The booklet contains a lot of pictures that are catching for the imagination.

This is the programme booklet for the 1935 World Fair in Brussels.

The booklet contains everything that a programme booklet should contain: prices, a plan of the site, the facilities, the presentation of the organisers and the royal couple, the presentation of the stand of each participating country and a chapter on ‘Old Brussels’, the attraction of the time.

The last page is an extraordinary photo of the Heyzel that seems to come from the future.

This magazine is not a programme booklet but a periodical that was meant to keep the interested (citizen) informed about the work for the world fair. Thus, one finds in it a preliminary plan of the exhibition, tariffs, photos and descriptions of the different construction sites, pictures of the models of the stands of the other countries, special photos of ‘Old Brussels’, and much more.

At the 1935 World Fair in Brussels, the stand and share of the clergy was quite predominant; as evidenced by the picture on the front page, a building that was actually given a place at the World Fair. This booklet tells you how the construction and other work went. Many, sometimes funny, photos give a good idea of the extent of the constructions.

This is a magazine of the Catholic Church with a pronounced (international) political slant at the expense of spiritual concerns, with very few images, one of the rare vintage magazines.

That way you find out their opinion on disarmament in 1921, the Vienna Court, the Limburg, a statistical analysis of divorces in the United States, a portrait of Mussolini and a plea for women as intellectual collaborators of men. Recommended reading if you want to raise your eyebrows.

For introduction see previous issue.

In this issue:

an account of Molière’s play ‘The Misanthrope’, the phenomenon of bilingualism in Belgium, the dictatorship in Mexico, anti-Semitism, Belgian neutrality in 1887, iconography, the situation in the United States and Russia, as well as extremely funny publicity advertisements, including some for weapons.

Rex is a Catholic magazine with a very spiritual content, this issue is dedicated to Christmas.

You will find texts about celebrating Christmas in different countries, poems, reflective texts, stories, a report with very beautiful photos about Bethlehem before 1935, edifying Christmas stories, a story about François Villon, a saint’s story about Don Bosco, another piece of history, and Christmas songs and a children’s corner with games; a fascinating look into the spiritual heart of man from 1935.

Signal is a bulky war magazine from the Second World War that was very explicitly inspired by National Socialism; in other words, it is pure Nazi propaganda. 75 years later, it is instructive and fascinating to look behind the lines. It is one of the rare vintage magazines in which you discover …
A report on the American prisoners of war in Germany, an analysis of some major cities, the threat of a third world war, Croatia’s history and population, treatment of the wounded, youth in France, technical employment for women, the reality in America, …

the aims of the bombing of Great Britain, the agricultural situation in Europe, a report on a squadron, glorification of the German generals, a social experiment with a bicycle-car accident, an article on skiing, an article on the circus, a psychological study of boys, and much more; adorned with many photos.

This is a magazine that wanted to strengthen communication between the United States and Europe after the Second World War. Therefore, you will find articles on both issues. The magazine was published in Brussels.

In this issue, quite a lot of attention was paid to development in the field of atomic weapons, but also the situation in Tangier, the German hangover, the German-Russian agreement and a look back on the organisation of the resistance were written about. It is a magazine with quite a lot, but mostly unique illustrations.

The Standard is a war magazine from during the Second World War that emanated from the Allies and was published in England. The contents are for the most part coverage of the war and the advance of the Allies; in addition, general topics such as films, fashion, hobbies, etc. are covered.

In this issue, the liberation of the Netherlands (Walcheren), films in Mexico, the use of flamethrowers in the war, violin-making and theatre and film are discussed.

Many photos including some sexy photos from the war years.

For the description of the magazine, please refer to the above issue. The Standard are rare vintage magazines about the Second World War.

In this issue Pilots fly over the Arctic Circle, G.I.Joe, art education for Americans, transport ships for the Allied troops.

For the description of the magazine, please refer to the above issue.

In this issue, an extensive article on the return of the R.M.R.S. forces from Quebec, Project 152, international rugby, the post-war difficulties of fuel shortages in Germany, and an article on paratrooper training.

Luchtvaart in Beeld is a magazine that deals with aircraft of all origins. Given the world war, much of the content focuses on warfare devices.

The articles talk about the performance and technical characteristics of the aircraft.

Thus, we distinguish aeroplanes for sports and tourism, presentation of the BLOHM & VOSS WICKING B.V. 222, progress in aviation, the Messerschmitt 323, famous pilots, gliders and aero-model making.

Illustrated is a war magazine. The magazine broadly reports on the course of the war, especially as far as the British forces are concerned. Each issue contains many often particularly beautiful photos.

In this issue you will find articles about the RAF bombing of Berlin, about children in a hospital, about Scottish bagpipers, an article about heroes vs. traitors, an article about the RAF fight against Malaria and an extensive account of pottery.

In this issue, there is a digression on a re-education project for Nazis in Sweden (deradicalisation avant la lettre), the meeting of British soldiers and Belgian girls in Brussels, surgical operations in a church, life as it is in Hollywood, a Commonwealth conference, Lauritz Melchior and a cute dog-cat report; and again very nice photos.

This issue of Illustrated is entirely devoted to the liberation of France with many beautiful and unique photos and extensive detailed information. Among other things, of the Allied landing in France.

‘ABC’ was a Flemish weekly magazine that appeared between 1932 and 1975. During the Second World War, the publication was suspended, but from the first days of the liberation, the magazine reported fairly thoroughly on the events of the war. In each issue, you will find many photos about the war on the ground.

In this issue, you will find information about the horror in the prison of Sint-Gillis, the destruction of the Flemish seaside, the tragedy of the Merksem power station and American fast housing.

In this issue: the liberation of the Kempen, a reporter travels along with a Polish division during the liberation of Flanders, the first allied airborne division in action, ode to the soldiers of the Red Army, after the liberation the remains of four years of occupation.

In this issue: a look back at the German defeat during World War I, a photo reportage on the advance of the Allies, the liberation of Czechoslovakia, the presidential elections in the United States and an article on the death of actor Leslie Howard.

In this issue; tribute to ‘the heroes of the sea’, the bombing of London and the suffering it caused, the Siegfried line coming under pressure.

Picture Post was a photojournalism magazine published from 1938 to 1957. Picture Post quickly became a leading magazine that worked with the most renowned photographers.

This issue is largely devoted to a time report on the crossing of the Rhine, the liberation of Mons, the festivities in London, an article on the history of the choir.

Envoy was a magazine published by His Majesty’s Stationary in London. The target audience were the Flemings on the mainland who needed to be kept informed about the Allies’ course of action. The name “Envoy” therefore means ambassador or envoy.

This issue is about the training of Belgian soldiers, Belgians in battle, Big Ben in London, Mary Kingsley, the London police, a secret document about the 1932 rocket tests in Germany, green villages, cheap driving.

For the general description of this sheet see above. In addition to the non-war topics, this issue only discusses the war with Japan in detail. Also in this issue, particularly spectacular photos.

They write about the Allies’ who advance into Burma and Borneo, the fighting in Rangoon, the heavy damage to the ship ‘Franklin’, Belgian sailors in training, elections in Great Britain, the film Caesar and Cleopatra, children in the aftermath of the war and fashion and hats are among the topics covered.

For the general description of this sheet see above.
In this issue, there is quite a bit about the course of parliamentary activities during the war, a piece about the workings of Scotland Yard and the trade union/employer consultation. There is also room for drama, the youth movements in Britain, pre-war personal taxation, America’s ‘jungle war’ and a report on village life in England.
Furthermore, there are the regular sections of culture, sports and readers’ letters.

Star Weekly is a Canadian magazine that reports on very general topics from all over the world. Some of the issues were, of course, partly about the war in Europe and the Pacific.
In this issue, the life of Hitler and his entourage in the private sphere, Chechako dog training, Indians in the United States, hat fashion, Agora rabbits and suits, the rich life of insects, the film industry in Mexico, female fakirs, people from the Philippines, …

Star Weekly is a Canadian magazine that reports on very general topics from all over the world. Some of the issues were, of course, partly about the war in Europe and the Pacific.

The articles in this issue are about the Mongolian descendants of Genghis Khan, tiger hunting in Tajikstan, crocodile hunting in the Amazon, bear taming, youth and adults in Mexico, beautiful women in Hollywood, beauticians in the zoo and a beautiful picture of Hedy Lamarr.

This magazine was aimed at readers in northern France and the Walloons in the neighbouring regions. It is a magazine full of short news items with a strong gossip content, so you will rarely find extensive reporting here.

In this issue, you will find articles on French discoveries in England, the meeting of some acquaintances who visited Lille and Douais, football, Princess Josephine Charlotte, Jean Bart a bit of history about Dunkirk and about the latest fashion.

Weekend’ is a ‘strange’ post-war magazine. In addition to informative articles, opinions, which often go against the grain, are explored. It is a magazine that wants to make its readers think, and sometimes does so in a brutal way. The front page article might suggest that it is racist; however, it is not, although today’s reader will have to swallow some of the passages. In addition, the magazine is full of remarkable facts and news, for example, about a French study that came to the conclusion that the human body is becoming increasingly expensive. A magazine that reads like a train.

This is a special edition of the French magazine ‘L’illustration’. The whole song is about the death of the Belgian King Albert I and the accession to the throne of his successor Leopold III.

One part deals with the circumstances of his death, another part with the person of Albert I, as well as his kingship. In addition, an extensive report of the funeral in Brussels.

The second part deals with the accession to the throne and the swearing in of Leopold III.

Besides a lot of text, this special edition contains a lot of pictures.

Like the special edition of ‘L’illustration’, this special edition of ‘Le Soir Illustré’ deals entirely with the death of King Albert I and the accession to the throne of Leopold III; admittedly with different pictures and a different approach.

However, it does not address the circumstances of King Albert’s death but rather the life of the deceased monarch.

The accession to the throne is discussed in detail. Here, too, there are a great many photos of the event.

The special issue of the magazine ‘Pim Illustré’ also deals, apart from two pages, exclusively with the death of King Albert I and the accession to the throne of Leopold III.
The difference is that this magazine has turned it into a photo book with only a short explanation for each photo.
No details are given of the circumstances of his death or of his life.
This magazine first discusses the enthronement of the new monarch, and only then the funeral.

Apart from a few pages, this special issue is entirely devoted to Princess Astrid’s arrival in Belgium and her reunion with
King Leopold III. Then there is a detailed account of the marriage of the prince and the princess.
The next chapter is an account of the Belgian Royal Family visiting the court in Sweden.
Finally, the joyful arrival in Antwerp is highlighted with a few beautiful photos
Also in this issue, many beautiful and unique photos.

This is not a special edition of Noir et Blanc, but because the subject on the cover has the magnitude of an exceptional event for the Belgian population, we are placing this issue under this heading. Besides, of course, the King’s ‘amorous’ affairs, this issue pays attention to Anna Stadler, women as a brake on the career of champions, bee venom as a medicine, Jean de Bethencourt as an explorer, Madame de Barry and about swimming costume fashion.

A special breaking news edition of Paris Match about the tensions and the upcoming riots in Algiers. This issue is rather limited due to the speed of response. The photos are frequent and telling.

In a regular issue of Paris Match, which you can find in the French-language magazines section, you can read a detailed account of these facts.

A special edition of Paris Match on the occasion of French President de Gaulle’s visit to London, where he was received with great pomp by Queen Elizabeth.

This extra edition is not very voluminous and consists almost exclusively of photos, which are very beautiful. One of the special rare vintage magazines.