#ronald searle
Tears flow easy in a Dublin pub, but not even the heartbreaking songs from a brendanbehanish bard can truly water the beer.
Ronald Searle
The Young Elizabethan was a ‘magazine for teenagers’. It lasted from the 1953 coronation of the Queen – after whom it was named – until 1973, when the Age of Aquarius had decidedly taken over from the New Elizabethan Age.
What a long-lost world this high-toned ‘magazine for teenagers’ opens up – a world of intelligent and highly literate youngsters with interests that ranged from books (above all, books) to world affairs, history, model-making, astronomy, nature, cycling, photography and ponies. One issue advertised a Heinz ‘Cowboy’s Breakfast’ colouring competition with three ponies on offer as prizes. If you didn’t want the pony, you could opt for 200 guineas (yes, guineas) in Premium Bonds.
There is not a whiff of celebrity (in the modern sense) or fashion, relationship problems or gossip. And the only concession to pop music is a monthly record round-up by groovemeister Sandy (The Boy Friend) Wilson.
The excellent books page is written by Noel Streatfield, author of Ballet Shoes – the October 1958 issue has a photo spread of up-and-coming ballerinas, all very elegant and ladylike, a far cry from today’s stringier, more athletic dancers.
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