Girl's Own Paper
Encyclopedia
Girl's Own Paper was a British
story paper
catering for girls and young women, published from 1880 until 1956.
, the magazine was published by the Religious Tract Society
(which subsequently became Lutterworth Press
). In October 1929, the title became Girl's Own Paper and Woman's Magazine but in 1930 the Woman's Magazine became a separate publication. In December 1947 the name was changed to Girl's Own Paper and Heiress. By 1951 it was called Heiress incorporating the Girl's Own Paper. In 1956 Heiress closed down, and the name "Girl's Own Paper" ceased to exist. Facsimile reprints of volume 1 to 4 were published by Eureka Press, Japan, in 2006.
From 1908, the weekly magazines were dropped and the paper included more information on serious careers for girls and advice on style and dress. Long serials became less common, being replaced by shorter stories. From the 1930s, a greater proportion of its material was directed at younger readers. There were school stories, stories of kidnapped princesses and articles about film stars
, although the contents became more serious during World War II
.
Volumes 39 & 40 of 1917-18 were entitled; The Girls Own Paper and Woman's Magazine; presumably the two publications were merged for economy purposes as a result of World War I
.
, Rosa Nouchette Carey
, Sarah Doudney
(1841-1926), Angela Brazil
, Lucy Maud Montgomery
, Richmal Crompton
and Baroness Orczy
.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
story paper
Story paper
*This article is about British Story papers. For the U.S. version, see Dime novel.A story paper is a periodical publication similar to a literary magazine, but featuring illustrations and text stories, and aimed towards children and teenagers...
catering for girls and young women, published from 1880 until 1956.
Publishing history
The first weekly number of the Girl's Own Paper appeared on January 3, 1880. As with its male counterpart the Boy's Own PaperBoy's Own Paper
The Boy's Own Paper was a British story paper aimed at young and teenage boys, published from 1879 to 1967.-Publishing history:The idea for the publication was first raised in 1878 by the Religious Tract Society as a means to encourage younger children to read and also instil Christian morals...
, the magazine was published by the Religious Tract Society
Religious Tract Society
The Religious Tract Society, founded 1799, 56 Paternoster Row and 65 St. Paul's Chuchyard, was the original name of a major British publisher of Christian literature intended initially for evangelism, and including literature aimed at children, women, and the poor.The RTS is also notable for being...
(which subsequently became Lutterworth Press
Lutterworth Press
The Lutterworth Press is one of the oldest independent British publishing houses. It has been trading since the late eighteenth century initially as the Religious Tract Society...
). In October 1929, the title became Girl's Own Paper and Woman's Magazine but in 1930 the Woman's Magazine became a separate publication. In December 1947 the name was changed to Girl's Own Paper and Heiress. By 1951 it was called Heiress incorporating the Girl's Own Paper. In 1956 Heiress closed down, and the name "Girl's Own Paper" ceased to exist. Facsimile reprints of volume 1 to 4 were published by Eureka Press, Japan, in 2006.
Contents
The G.O.P. provided a mix of stories and educational and improving articles, with 'Answers to Correspondents' and occasional coloured plates, poetry and music.From 1908, the weekly magazines were dropped and the paper included more information on serious careers for girls and advice on style and dress. Long serials became less common, being replaced by shorter stories. From the 1930s, a greater proportion of its material was directed at younger readers. There were school stories, stories of kidnapped princesses and articles about film stars
Movie star
A movie star is a celebrity who is well-known, or famous, for his or her starring, or leading, roles in motion pictures. The term may also apply to an actor or actress who is recognized as a marketable commodity and whose name is used to promote a movie in trailers and posters...
, although the contents became more serious during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Volumes 39 & 40 of 1917-18 were entitled; The Girls Own Paper and Woman's Magazine; presumably the two publications were merged for economy purposes as a result of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Famous contributors
Many contributors are unknown outside the G.O.P. pages, but they include Noel StreatfeildNoel Streatfeild
Mary Noel Streatfeild OBE , known as Noel Streatfeild, was an author, most famous for her children's books including Ballet Shoes . Several of her novels have been adapted for film or television.-Biography:...
, Rosa Nouchette Carey
Rosa Nouchette Carey
Rosa Nouchette Carey was an English children's novelist.-Life:Born in Stratford-le-Bow, Rosa was the sixth of the seven children of William Henry Carey , shipbroker, and his wife, Maria Jane , daughter of Edward J. Wooddill. She was brought up in London at Tryons Road, Hackney, Middlesex and in...
, Sarah Doudney
Sarah Doudney
Sarah Doudney was an English novelist and poet, best known as a children's writer and hymnwriter....
(1841-1926), Angela Brazil
Angela Brazil
Angela Brazil was one of the first British writers of "modern schoolgirls' stories", written from the characters' point of view and intended primarily as entertainment rather than moral instruction. In the first half of the twentieth century she published nearly 50 books of girls' fiction, the...
, Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery OBE , called "Maud" by family and friends and publicly known as L.M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908. Anne of Green Gables was an immediate success...
, Richmal Crompton
Richmal Crompton
Richmal Crompton Lamburn was a British writer, most famous for her Just William humorous short stories and books.-Life:...
and Baroness Orczy
Baroness Orczy
Baroness Emma Magdolna Rozália Mária Jozefa Borbála "Emmuska" Orczy de Orczi was a British novelist, playwright and artist of Hungarian noble origin. She was most notable for her series of novels featuring the Scarlet Pimpernel...
.
List of editors
- Charles Peters 1880-1907
- Flora KlickmannFlora KlickmannEmily Flora Klickmann was an English journalist, author and editor. She was the second editor of the Girl's Own Paper, but became best known for her Flower-Patch series of books of anecdotes, autobiography and nature description.-Life:Flora Klickmann was born in Brixton, London, one of six children...
1908-1931 - Gladys Spratt and others 1931-1956
Role in popular culture
In her history of the G.O.P., E Honor Ward writes: "The G.O.P. was an important and positive influence on generations of girls and women, and a vital outlet for women's writing and ideas, for more than three-quarters of a century".Quotation
"'The Cottager', the cheapest and best Baking Oil Stove in the world, which will do all the cooking of an ordinary coal fire at Half the Cost, saving time, labour, temper and money; requires No Flues and costs only fifteen and sixpence, complete with kettle, fry-pan, saucepan, steamer, meat-tray and baking covers." (Advert from an early G.O.P.)Further reading
- Doughty, Terri. Selections from the Girl's Own Paper, 1880-1907. Peterborough: Broadview Press, 2004. ISBN 978-1551115283
- Forrester, Wendy: "Great Grandmama's Weekly: A Celebration of the "Girl's Own Paper", 1880-1901 ", Lutterworth Press, 1988, ISBN 978-0718827175
External links
- E. Honor Ward A short history of the G.O.P.
- Girl's Own Papers Facsimile Reprint of Vol. 1-4 (Eureka Press)
- Waterloo Directory
- Mostly-Victorian.com Growing collection of excerpts scanned from the Victorian issues of Girl's Own Paper (1880-1900).