the club monthly - march

The Club Monthly - a handmade magazine lovingly made in 1920.

A handmade magazine from 1920, reading, 'The Club Monthly', with a drawing of a young girl skipping.

March - 1920 and 1921

March 1920's edition of The Club Monthly is the fourth edition of the magazine. It is also the first time that we are able to compare the same month's magazine from different years. The Club Monthly began in 1920 (with a special Christmas edition published in 1919), and seems to have continued into 1921. We do not have every edition in our archives.

Two handmade magazines from the early 1920s. The title reads 'The Club Monthly', while both have traced illustrations on the front covers.

All evidence so far points to the creator(s) of this magazine being young girls. This makes these issues particularly insightful into childhood in the 1920s, as we can see how these magazine creators changed in their interests, writing styles, etc. over the course of the year.

A change in authorship

In the first months of 1920, The Club Monthly had a consistent team of authors working on each edition. By 1921, the authors - now 'authoress' - have changed:

Two pages from two old handmade magazines side-by-side. They feature a list of authors who worked on the magazine.

In January and February, T.F., A.D.M, and B.K are the only authors identified on this introductory page (along with Bluebell and Pippin). However, in these editions, W.R., S.F. and S.T. appear as contributors throughout the magazine. March 1920 is the first edition that we see W.R. promoted to the 'author' list.

By 1921, W.R. and A.D.M. are still contributing writers, along with S.F. and S.T. T.F. is no longer a contributing author.

Editorship

March 1920 is the first edition in which the editor (and possible creator) is named: A.D.M.

A handwritten editor's note in a magazine.

The next year's note from the editor has not been signed. While there is some similarity in each handwriting sample, slight differences - 'the Editor' versus 'Your Editor' - suggest that a change in editorship from 1920 to 1921 is possible.

A handwritten page from an editor in a homemade magazine from 1921.

Cartoons

One thing has remained the same from 1920 to 1921: The Two Pickles. This charming cartoon is still being featured, with the two young characters and their dog getting up to hijinks.

A cartoon strip in which children try to buy their dad a nice hat - but buy him a toy hat instead.

Cursory research suggests that 'The Two Pickles' was a comic strip created by Harry O'Neill, published in a weekly children's comic called 'Rainbow'.

Stories

The change in topics and styles of stories from 1920 to 1921 could reflect an aging writer and audience.

Nobedtime Land

A handmade magazine open to a story page - text below.

It all began at bedtime. Joanie didn't want to have to go to bed or have a bath but nurse dragged her upstairs against her will and undressed her; popped her into the bath and washed her very gently, then put her into bed. She left a little night light burning beside her, kissed 'her wee pet' and waddled downstairs.

"I don't want to go to sleep and shan't" said Joanie. "I'm seven + a half now and I have to go to bed at 6. 30 o'[clock], it's not a bit fair". She sat up and rubbed her eyes and yawned.

"What a nuisance to have to go to bed, how I wish I lived in no bed-time land".

"Whose speaking" said a snaky voice at the far corner of the room.

"Just me" said Joanie very much frightened.

"What did you say just then?" said the voice again.

"I said I wanted to live in no-bed-time-land" said Joanie still more frightened.

"Come on" said the voice and Joanie had to obey. She rose and dressed and the voice appeared, "Take my arm" it said but as it was invisible Joanie could not see it.

They walked for a long time then came to a big place where everybody's papa + mama +nannie was. They were all talking and yawning. The 'voice' sat down and so did Joanie. "How I wish I were in bed" said Joanie yawning again and again. Suddenly she rolled away and fell thump to the floor.

Nurse came in at that moment and found her, put her back in bed.

"O what was I dreaming about" said Joanie. "Never mind" said nurse as she tucked her up.

Of course she never knew!!!!

'Nobedtime Land' from the March 1920 edition of the Club Monthly reflects similar themes that we've seen in The Club Monthly stories before: correct behaviour, listening to one's elders, and misadventure that results from not following the rules.

Their Useful but Ugly Friend

A handmade magazine from 1921 open to a story - see text below.

'I don't llike bull-dogs,' began Jack Rosser. 'They are ugly animals, and they snore so when they breathe. I always fancy they are ready to spring at once.' 'They're not ugly, and they are very gentle and affectionate,' said his sister Ruth. 'Perhaps you're right, but I shouldn't care to own one. Tom Burt has one. The dog trotted into our classroom yesterday in search of Tom. As soon as we saw him come sniffing at our legs, we stood on the forms to get out of his way. Even Mr. Allcroft seemed nervous, though he asked Tom quite calmly to take the animal out.'

'You must have looked funny,' laughed Ruth. 'I dare say,' replied Jack, 'but I'd rather look funny than have a bulldog hanging on to me with his teeth.'

When she returned from school that afternoon, Ruth was sent to the village to do some messages.

Before she reached the village she revealed an evil looking tramp leaning against the hedge. She quickened her steps, but as she passed the man his unshaved face glancing stealthily to left and right, then left his place and followed her. 'What's that in your hand missy?' Ruth's heart almost stopped beating. She looked round for help, but saw no one in sight. The road was lonely. 'It's a purse you've got, I see. Here hand it over!'

Ruth clasped the purse tighter. 'Do you hear!' he growled, [?] more tight. 'Give me that purse'. He snatched it from her and at once made of in the opposite direction. Then she gave a loud scream as she saw Tom Burt step out of the hedge with his bulldog. 'What's the matter?' he asked. 'Has this man done anything to you,' as he pointed to the tramp who tried to sleek past. 'Yes he's stolen my purse.' The dog became very cross at the man's surly looks and it was all Tom could do to keep him from tearing at him (the tramp). 'Restore that purse at once,' continued Tom. And with an angry gesture threw the purse to the ground and began to walk away.

'Not so fast' said Tom, 'that's the wrong way for you must go to the police station first.' 'No fear' was the reply but Tom was firm. 'If you don't walk quietly before us to the village I shall not hold the dog, and then -' The man hesitated but thought it would be worse to be dealt with by a dog than a police man.

So he marched of sullenly before them and was soon under lock and key. 'Oh how glad I am you came in time to stop that man' said Ruth as she patted the dog's head. 'I couldn't have done it without Rover's help,' replied Tom modestly. And when Ruth arrived home and told her story, Jack never again said he didn't like Bull Dogs.'

'Their Useful but Ugly Friend', published in the 1921 edition of The Club Monthly, shows a more mature approach to storytelling. There is a real-life threat in the presence of a 'tramp' who steals the protagonist's purse. The characters 'growl', 'laugh', speak 'modestly' and walk 'sullenly'.

The story is also signed 'S.F.'. Could these stories have been written by girls of different ages?

This 'recommended reading' list was written in March 1920. The books on this list are aimed at an audience with a reading age of around 11 or 12 years old.