An original printing of 'The Yellow Book', 1894
I have been interested in The Yellow Book, a legendary late-Victorian literary magazine, since my introduction to the work of Aubrey Beardsley. I found a coffee table book of his illustrations in my childhood home many years ago, and still credit the first hour I spent pouring over its pages as my biggest influence in developing a graphic design style.
Beardsley’s refined lines and balance of space and use of contrast are extraordinary. His work manages to be simultaneously both innovative and classic. The Yellow Book began, as legend has it, during a conversation between Beardsley and Henry Hartland, an American expatriate (who was the magazine’s literary editor) on a foggy New Year’s day in 1894.
The magazine became instantly distinct for its nearly complete separation of literary and visual content. It was also notorious for its association with sinful content, which derive from other associations of the time with racy French novels bearing yellow jackets, and with some lines referencing “yellow books” in Oscar Wilde texts.* Wilde himself was associated with the magazine, largely because he was friendly with Beardsley (who had illustrated his Salomé the year previous to The Yellow Book’s first appearance). Wilde was reportedly seen clutching a yellow book at the time of his infamous arrest. Beardsley served as art editor and designer for The Yellow Book but was dismissed after the fifth issue, for his association with Oscar Wilde. It is widely believed, and I will have to concur, that the quality declined after Beardsley’s departure.
It is safe to say that in the world of lit mag history, The Yellow Book held the place that McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern does today. The simple fact that it was founded a solid 104 years earlier makes it a must-see for lovers of all independent publications. The letterpress pages make the words and pictures notably sharp and vivid. The Yellow Book’s exquisite design and and ground breaking content make it a very significant player in the history of independently published books and magazines.
All 13 volumes of The Yellow Book are available for viewing at archive.org. Many academic and well established public libraries hold complete collections of the originals.
Interior illustration
Cover design for The Yellow Book
*An Ideal Husband and The Picture of Dorian Grey
