Life of LIFE MAGAZINES 1936 to 2000
In the 1930s and '40s, radio brought the world's sounds into living rooms across the country, but LIFE magazine brought the pictures in these pre-television days. There were lots of pictures by the day's best photographers in each issue.
Some ran big and bold in the large-format magazine; some were a bit daring for the late '30s.
Life magazine was created by Time Inc. to take advantage of advances in photographic technology. New, portable 35mm cameras allowed photographers to capture real life as it happened as opposed to the staged or static poses that had been the norm.
LIFE continued as a weekly until 1972. It cut back to semi annual special reports until 1978, when it reemerged as a monthly.
The magazines crossed over several collecting genres. Some collectors focus on collecting first issues; automotive historians like the car advertisements; sports collectors like the cover shots and profiles of athletes.
Whatever the motive, magazine collecting provides a look at history as it happened.
The first issue of LIFE, dated November 23, 1936, and carrying a cover price of 10 cents, contains a photo essay on life in Depression-era Montana.
It also contains the "first air photograph ever published" of the future gold fortress at Fort Knox., Ky.
Advertisements promote the new 1937 models from Plymouth, Ford, Hudson, Nash, and Oldsmobile, and there were very special quotes related to advertisers like the new Gilbert Kitchen Kit was the electric food fixer that "saves your wife 200 hours of hard work a year."
"You enjoy food more and have a feeling of greater ease after eating when you smoke Camels between courses and after meals," the ad says.
Food editor Dorothy Malone, quoted and pictured in the ad, agreed: "It's smart to have Camels on the table. My own personal experience is that smoking Camels with meals and afterwards builds up a sense of digestive well-being."
In another issue, Ronald Reagan can be seen signing cartons of Chesterfield cigarettes in a full page, holiday related ad.
"I'm sending Chesterfields to all my friends,"
Reagan tells the reader. "That's the merriest Christmas any smoker can have.
LIFE magazine was such a hit that many people didn't regard there issues as ephemeral items something that was read and tossed away.
Instead, each new weekly issue was read and then stored in an attic, basement, or garage. As a result, hoards of LIFE magazines commonly turn up when houses are cleaned in preparation for estate sales. Values reflect availability. LIFE magazine is not particularly expensive most issues can be purchased for $15 or less, a few exceed $50.
Some of the best buys can be found at auction. Boxes of 10 to 20 LIFE magazines from the 1940s can sell for as little as $30 a box.
The most significant factor affecting value is the cover. The July 12, 1943, issue, which features Roy Rogers and Trigger on the cover, is worth $100 - $120. Most other issues from the same period are only $20-$30.
The April 7, 1952, issue, which features Marilyn Monroe in all her seductive beauty on the cover, likewise sells for $160-$200.
Generally, the older issues are more expensive, and the price goes up for examples in excellent condition.
LIFE magazines are not hard to find thousands of each issue were produced, so they turn up often at antique malls, collectible shows, flea market garage sales, and other places.
It can be more difficult to track down a particular issue, it mainly depends on how much time one is to invest in the project.
The best way to find issues is to contact dealers who specialize in LIFE. Prices will be higher, but they will still be reasonable, and dealers can usually help a collector find what they are looking for.
Availability, affordability and content make LIFE a desirable collecting pursuit. The biggest challenge is determining a collecting focus.
People are buying issues to give as gifts for birthdays or anniversaries.
Some collectors may choose to focus on a particular decade or year: issues from World War II or issues from the year they were married or born.
Some may focus on issues with movie stars on the cover or politicians or royalty. The Kennedys have graced the covers of numerous LIFE magazines.
Life Magazines have become the reference for writers when doing Period pieces for TV shows & Movies as the magazine can tell you what was fashionable with the latest trends at that time.
