Gentry Magazine, 1956
Gentry was a men’s quarterly lifestyle magazine from the 1950s, aimed at the upscale market and priced at $2 an issue/$8 a year. Covering a range of topics including food, wine, art, and history, the most common was clothing as was the general thrust of advertising content. The first several issues were hard-bound (see the September issue of Esquire UK for the latest iteration of this theme) and feature heavy stock paper, color plates, fabric swatches, and other goodies interspersed throughout. It seems demand was not as high as the publishers hoped as the magazine did not make it into the 1960s. I have a few additional issues and would be happy to photograph their contents if there is demand. So, without further delay, the Fall 1956 trend report.
UPDATE: This gentleman has several scans from Gentry issues on his Flickr page.
This publication is amazing. There is nothing in the realm of woman’s wear that is comparable. I envy the luxurious, classic fabrics and cut of well designed men’s clothing. Most designers for women force unsightly, outrageously expensive clothing on us … and expect us to change wardrobes every season!
In 1954 I took two copies of Gentry out of the trash from the apartment complex trash where I lived. I still have them. All of the articles and ads were interesting but my favorite is the multi/national/culture of “The Golden Rule” in the No.9 Winter issue of 1953-54. The article on the photography of Clarence White was also excellent as was the coverage of George Washington. On the other hand, the article on the “Kidney” was a little pseudo-intellectual for my taste since it defined the organ and its functions as a philosophical concept. But the magazines were were unique and probably ahed of their time, both in concept and price.
Chuck-
Seeing them for the first time, I, too, was blown away by the variety of articles, but especially the fabric samples included with advertisements. What a novel idea.
Thanks for visiting!
Brandon
Gentry magazine and I are exact contemporaries. The unique and fantastic publication became my Bible and catechism from the time I was a child. I can say with no exaggeration whatsoever that it changed my life. Gentry was instrumental in introducing me to all the fine and civilized things in life that have since governed my taste and inclinations: great art, music and books, sophisticated fashion, interior design, Japanese woodblock prints, the Renaissance, French culture in all of its aspects, fine liquor, travel, philosophy, and most of all, what it means to be a gentleman and quality, quality, quality. I own at least two complete set of all 22 issues and consult them frequently. I’m amazed that I will always find something new and illuminating in these magazines even after half a century! Not to mention the captivating inserts, limited edition graphics, and all those fabulous fabric swatches. I wish they were still publishing it today or that some progressive spirit with the money would resurrect it. I will never part with my collection – and they are getting harder and harder to find. A few years ago they were all over ebay. Now you see one or two here and there but the abundance has definitely dried up. Pity. Anyway, thanks for your article. It was much appreciated.
Ralph-
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and personal comment. I agree, magazines published today are for the most part a far cry in quality from those long gone. I don’t often post on here anymore (and comments are rarer), so when someone like yourself takes the time to share a part of his life, it means a lot to me — and reminds me to take those magazines off the shelf every once in a while to browse through them.
Thanks again,
Brandon
I am cleaning out my house and came across 12 Gentry Magazines. I was wondering if you can tell if they are worth anything or if the company would like them back, Here is a list of the ones I have:
Fall 1953 – Gentry Number 8
January 15-April 15 – 1952, Number 2
Spring 1953 – Number 6
Summer 1952 – Number 2
Winter 1953-1954 – Number 9
Fall 1952 – Number 4
Holiday Issue 1952 – Number 5
Fall 1954 – Number 12
Winter 1954-55, Number 13
Spring 1954 – Number 10
Summer 1954 – Number 11
Summer 1953 – Number 7
Let me know any information or details. You can reach me at nkromberg@yahoo.com or via phone at 402-882-0631