About Picture Post Historical Archive
Full digital reproductions of the Picture Post archive, an iconic British newspaper. 1938-1957.
Use Picture Post now
Key Features
This archive contains a full reproductions of every issue of this pioneering photojournalism newspaper. Picture Post (1938-1957) was read by an estimated 80 per cent of the British population at its peak. It is an essential resource for studying:
- History and culture: the everyday lives of all levels of society in the mid-20th century are chronicled;
- Literature: social context is provided for 20th century works especially wartime and postwar literature. Contains serialisations of contemporary novels e.g. Evelyn Waugh’s Decline and Fall;
- Politics: The paper was liberal and staunchly anti-fascist, revealing much about prevailing political attitudes of the time;
- Media/journalism: Its pioneering use of photojournalism provides numerous examples of how to convey serious and light-hearted stories through a visual medium;
- Art & photography: Many famous photographers worked for the publication including Bill Brandt and Felix Man.
More information
Browse or search more than 38,000 pages and 95,000 articles, gaining remarkable insight into a crucial period of 20th century history - from the stormy years leading up to World War II to the first decade of the Cold War.
Product Tour [4.12MB PPT]
Search tips [361KB PDF]
