The lure of illustration in the Nineteenth Century

In its launch number of May 1842 Britain's most successful illustrated weekly newspaper, the Illustrated London News, crowed triumphantly 'For the past ten years we have watched with admiration and enthusiasm the progress of illustrative art, and the vast revolution which it has wrought in the world of publication….To the wonderful march of periodical literature it has given an impetus and rapidity almost coequal with the gigantic power of steam. It has converted blocks into wisdom, and given wings and spirit to ponderous and senseless wood. It has in its turn adorned, gilded, reflected, and interpreted nearly every form of thought'. As the essays in the present volume show the tone was entirely warranted. Design, graphics, illustrations became key to the popularity and, ultimately, survival of nineteenth-century periodicals