The Prize Magazine was published for children in the late the late 1800s / early 1900s
Like The Strand Magazine, they were often bound into book form and it is slightly unusual to find complete ones, particularly earlier editions from the 1880s / 1890s.
I bought some covers (no interiors) dating from 1902 / 1903 a few years ago because I liked the pictures on the front.
There is a copy on eBay at the moment (from June 1902), if anyone would like to see an independent example of a full-size one.
The miniature versions are very easy to make and I only took photographs this afternoon because I was interested in trying out some new paper that I had.
So the difference the paper makes – ?
From left to right, the papers that I used are –
- LEFT supermarket basic (thin and will yellow with age)
- MIDDLE best acid free eucalyptus (should not yellow)
- RIGHT premium coated inkjet paper (should not yellow)
– and the differences between them are not as marked in the photograph above as they are to the naked eye.
So what did I do – ?
First, I scored the central crease on the spine – to make folding easier
(the example in the photo is of inkjet paper, notice how the coated surface is lifting.)
and then I cut along the top of the magazine – this makes lining up the back and the front covers easier.
(The example in the photo is printed on the basic supermarket paper – notice how it is not as smooth as the inkjet paper and how the ink has spread, making it slightly blurry)
Then, when everything was folded and firmly creased, I cut round the other edges.
(the example in the photo is of coated inkjet paper, notice how white the interior is compared to the cover.)
The thicker the paper is, the less the magazine wants to stay “folded”, so…
Next I took some pale lemon yellow tissue paper (this was the only pale colour I had to hand – a nice off white, buff tint would have been better) and very lightly glued two folded sheets inside the cover. This held the covers closed and gave the magazine a little bit of (non-white) bulk without making it unwieldy.
(Don’t glue right up to the edge of the cover and leave everything looking a little bit “loose” for the most realistic effect)
Then I trimmed the tissue paper using scissors, so that it showed a little unevenly behind the cover.
The covers of the original magazines vary a little bit in size, but on average they are around 9″ x 6.3/4″
So, at 1 inch tall, these miniature versions are slightly larger than 12th scale.
The copies that I made, do not open, but they do look quite realistic lying around, and I was rather pleased with the result.
In conclusion
- the coated paper did give the crispest print and the best colour reproduction, but it was rather bulky and I know that the coating is prone to flaking off, unless sealed
- the best eucalyptus paper (which should not discolour) had an attractive finish, but it was rather stiff and thick
- the cheapest, basic supermarket paper (which will yellow and age) actually worked best – in my opinion – as it had somehow had the soft, rubbed, aged effect of the originals.
If you want to make magazines that open, so that your dolls’ house children can read them, I suggest painting one side of a piece of paper with cold tea or coffee to make it off-white. Before putting the stained paper through you printer, and printing on the unstained side. Please make sure that it is completely dry and as flat as possible, before printing on it.
I now have 3 sets (18 copies) of The Prize magazine – and a dilemma…
But that is going to have to wait until later – and a new post.
Here is the pdf for all six covers – The_Prize_Magazine_OHM_20130109
It is also on the Project Page with a few other things to make and do.
Happy Making !
* * *
UPDATE: 1st November 2015
As well as a few more magazine to make on the old Projects Page, there are now some magazines more available on the new Printables Page.
Dear Elizabeth! How nice to find two new posts from you today. Especially nice that one is a tutorial that includes a printable file. I especially appreciate that you provided a PDF file, as it is pretty foolproof when it comes to getting the size of the printed image just right. Thank you, and welcome back to the online world – Sharon
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Hello Sharon !
Nice to hear from you. I hope that all is well with you and that 2013 will be a good year, full of things to make and do – Elizabeth
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Thank you Elisabeth! Your hints are really useful and I like the covers too.
I wish you a special 2013!
Ersilia
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Thank you !
I hope that 2013 is a good year for you too.
Elizabeth
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Thank you as I just found your nice write up and the wonderful pdf file.
Wishing you a magical miniature kind of day,
Petrina
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Thank you very much for both your comments – I won’t publish the other one because it contains your address, but I make out a prize draw slip right away – Number 1 !!!
But do let me know, which set of magazines you would like coated paper/ not coated paper. Good Luck and thank you again, Elizabeth
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Not coated paper, would be my favorite choice, as that seems to be the closest to what the originals may have looked like.
Have you seen any Harper’s Bizare or Goday Magazines?
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Yes, they are very stylish – and very different in design and feel to English publications. The paper is different too. When I could get copy paper (a long time ago) for typewriters(!!!). I used to use that for American magazines of the late 1800 / early 1900s.
Shall I add them to my list of “To Do” – I never had many, but I did have a few examples. They don’t sell in the UK, but I do like them !
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Hello Petrina,
Congratulations, a set of the non-coated magazines is yours.
I will put them it in the (snail mail) post on Monday.
All best wishes,
Elizabeth
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Hello Elizabeth,
I am thrilled beyond words. Please let me know what I owe you for postage. I can have Paypal, a secure site, send you the money using your E-mail address.
Thank you, I am forever grateful.
Happy thoughts,
Petrina
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Hello and hello Elizabeth,
The Prize miniature magazines arrived today by post.
Thank you , so very much.
Best Regards,
Petrina
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Hello Petrina,
Thank you for letting me know.
I have been enjoying your marvellous paper creations on your blog.
All best wishes,
Elizabeth
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Hello Elizabeth,
Thank you for your nice comment about my paper pop-up designs and blog.
I could take forever sending you thank yous…please know I am forever grateful for your excellent blog and ideas.
Best Regards,
Petrina
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Hello Petrina,
It is very kind of you to offer to pay the postage.
The magazines are very, very light and can be sent by letter post – which will cost next to nothing – so please do not worry about the cost.
The tip about magnetic paper for paper dolls is worth its weight in gold and you have more than repaid me !!!
All best wishes,
Elizabeth
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Please be sure to keep the magnetic sheets far from your computer as I was told it can erase the hard drive. I don’t know how true it is but not worth the risk.
If you have any trouble finding these 8-1/2 x 11″ sheets that fit through any printer- please let me know if you want me to mail a couple of sheets to you.
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Thank you! That is very, very kind of you.
It looks as though I can get magnetic paper via Amazon in the UK and I have put some on my shopping list for this month.
A magnet can certainly harm a computer – so it depends on how magnetic the paper is… I wonder what it does to a printer that has a “brain” too…?
I don’t have many dolls myself, (I mainly use them as “filler” in dolls’ house shop displays), so I am going to ask one of my friends if I can if I can borrow some of hers… for research… 😉
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Hello Elizabeth,
I keep the magnetic sheets away from my printers, also.
Please let me know if you want me to post one to you as it is the least I can do after the wonderful blog and files you create and share.
Since you are going to try it, I need to share an additional tip.
-When you set up what you are going to print, only print half of the sheet at a time.
The rollers on most printers are only strong enough to do a really good grip on the first half of the sheet and the rest of the sheet will print wonky – blurry. The rule I use is to only set up and print half, then I set up a separate file to print the other half -be sure to turn your paper around so you do not print over the first half again.
I have used this process on inkjet and deskjet printers with great success. I have not tried it on my Laser printer yet.
Please allow the ink to dry fully before you touch it…drying time is only 20 seconds more than usual.
I do not expect you to post this as it may distract from your wonderful bllog.
I hope you will let us know how you get on.
Happy thoughts,
Petrina
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Una preciosidad de revistas, no me extraña que te enamoraras de ellas, muchas gracias por compartirlas, besos:)
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Thank you !
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