COLLECTION #218: Vintage Children's Friend Magazines from the '30s and '40s

I shared with you last week, some of my vintage LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon) magazines from the early part of the 20th century. Today, I have a collection of Children's Friend magazines from the 1930s and 1940s. The Children's Friend was the Church's publication for children, leaders and teachers. Today, it is called the Friend, and is one of the longest lasting publications in the USA. We always had the Children's Friend in our home growing up, and I remember it from even before I was old enough to read, since my older siblings had their copies. Later, when I became a professional illustrator, my first illustrations were published in the Friend, and I have contributed illustrations as recently as five years ago. So, it's always had a warm spot in my heart.

Typical of children's magazines of the era, the Children's Friend was filled with stories, puzzles, activities, arts and crafts, and photos of children far and wide, participating in church activities. Next week I'll share with you my collection of Children's Friend magazines from the 1950s and '60s.

For those of you who are LDS, you will note a photo and name of Mildred T. Pettit on the left photo on the page above: she is the composer of the children's song, "I Am a Child of God".

COLLECTION #72: Vintage Children's Magazines

 
Here are some of my young people's magazines from the 40s, 50s, and early 60s. I love looking at children's magazines of the past:  seeing the illustrations, reading the sweet stories, looking at the vintage advertisements, and catching a glimpse of life in a simpler, less politically correct time, is great fun.

 I have a couple of Boys Life magazines from the mid '40s, a  Children's Friend from the '30s (I actually have a much larger Children's Friend collection which I shall feature down the road), Polly Pigtails, Jack and Jill from the 40s, Humpty Dumpty's from the early '60s, and a fun magazine called '58 For Young New Yorkers. (I have been unable to find any information online about this magazine, if you have seen it before, or know anything, please let me know!)

'58 For Young New Yorkers had more sophisticated articles and stories than the other children's magazines of the era.

I am particularly proud of my Jack and Jill magazine from 1947. The cover was painted by renowned children's artist Leo Politi, who painted the murals in the children's library of my hometown South Pasadena. I have loved his work, read all his books as a child, and felt that he was one of 'our own' local artists.

One of my favorite magazines is "Polly Pigtails". This long-running magazine for girls had stories, articles, and comic pages. It was published by the Parents Magazine Institute. My issue is April 1948.

Humpty Dumpty's Magazine is also a long running children's publication. I illustrated for Humpty Dumpty's for about 10 years off and on, so this magazine is one of my favorites for sentimental reasons.

I hope you enjoy my little collection!