Rex Whistler “Radio Times Christmas Number” December 1931
$450
Pages 901-988
1931
Stapled wraps
12 1/8" x 9 1/2"
*Cover detached from contents*
“Radio Times Christmas Number”
Cover Designed by Reginald John “Rex” Whistler (1905–1944)
Original Issue (Southern Edition)
Printed on wove paper
Published by the B.B.C., London
18 December 1931
31 cm x 24.5 cm (cover)
A scarce original, complete issue of ‘The Radio Times - Christmas Number’, published 18 December 1931 with cover-art by Rex Whistler.
At the time of this image's publication the Art Editor of Radio Times was Maurice Gorham (1902–1975) (later the publication's Editor) who was educated at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire and then studied history at Balliol College, Oxford. Gorham's years at the Radio Times were noted for his bold choices of artists and articles.
The charming front-cover is one of the most famous of the early covers of The Radio Times 'Christmas Number'. The illustration errs away from the Christmas clichés of 'holly and ivy' but still remains remarkably festive. Rex Whistler offers his usual sense of Rococo revival playfulness in his velvet curtain drapery, theatrical trophies, alluring trio of musical graces and jovial chubby cherubs.