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The Glasgow Looking Glass

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'The Glasgow Looking Glass'
Publication information
Publication date11 June 1825 – 3 April 1826

The Glasgow Looking Glass was the first mass-produced publication to tell stories using illustrations, and as such is regarded as the earliest comics magazine. The final issue was published on 3 April 1826.[1]

Publishing history

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The title was published by Glasgow lithographic printer John Watson[2] and its principal strip illustrator was William Heath. The fourth issue contained History of a Coat, its first comic strip. After the fifth issue, the title was changed to The Northern Looking Glass to reflect broader Scottish concerns.

Format

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The fortnightly publication provided satirical snapshots of Glasgow society, British culture and 19th-century fashions. Innovations included use of the term "To be continued" and word balloons.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Stewart-Robertson, Tristan (24 June 2013). "World's first comic book from Glasgow in spotlight". The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  2. ^ "The Glasgow Looking Glass". University of Glasgow. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  3. ^ "'World's first comic' is up for auction". The Times. Retrieved 19 February 2022. William Heath's Glasgow Looking Glass was a pioneering publication which is said to have coined the phrase " . . . to be continued".