Series II.A.4. 1981 to 1986 Editorial: Picture Week Files, 1984-1986, 2003, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
Picture Week Files include carbon files of article research, drafts, and layouts for the dummy issues along with copies of the dummies and test run issues.
Arrangement
Organized into two subseries:
Subseries II.A.4.a. Carbon Files
Subseries II.A.4.b. Dummies and Test Run Issues
Historical Note
Richard Stolley proposed Picture Week in September 1981 in a memorandum to the corporate editorial team. His proposal suggested it as a black-and-white "true picture magazine" that would choose from all the photographs produced in the world that week including from freelancers, agencies, other magazines, and amateurs. He said it "would not compete with People because it would concentrate on events more than personalities, not with Life because it would be newsy and black and white, not with Time because it would have neither color nor many words." Stolley's rewrite of the prospectus in July 1985 did not deviate much from his original idea.
Stolley's initial proposal suggested Time Inc. print an issue to try out on the newsstand to gauge demand for a picture magazine. Beginning in 1984, the Magazine Development Group conducted focus groups and test runs of Picture Week. November 17, 1986 was the final test issue. Picture Week was not published beyond testing due to concerns about the advertising market and it competing with People.
Subseries II.A.4.a.. Carbon Files, 1984-1985, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
Carbon Files includes the editorial production files created while designing and writing the Picture Week dummy issues. Time Inc. publications created a carbon file for every article comprising all the collected research.
These carbon files include drafts of articles, page layouts, and cables from reporters that look intended for other Time Inc. magazines. Records are mainly from the Picture Week chief of reporters Marta Dorion, but other records come from deputy chief of reporters Joan Feeney, assistant managing editor Richard Burgheim, senior editor Steve Robinson, reporter/researchers Cinda Siler and Susan Yanella, and writers Louise Lague and David Hiltbrand.
Some files have close or publication dates from before the first known dummy printed on May 13, 1985, and the work may have been held for later use. Reporting records for the final issue are in Marshall Loeb's files.
Arrangement
Files are organized chronologically by issue close date or publication date, whichever date is available, then alphabetically by folder title which is either the article title or subject.
General, 1984, inclusive
Lague, Louise, 1984, inclusive
Sikh Text, 1984?, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 April 16, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 April 22, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 April 23, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 April 29, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 April 30, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 May 6, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 May 13, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 May 13, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 June 4, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 June 17, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 July 6, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 July 30, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 August 5, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Includes a copy of issue 1 of The Official Band Aid Magazine.
Dummy, 1985 August 5, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 August 6, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 August 6, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 August 12, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 August 19, inclusive
Dummy, 1985 August 19, inclusive
Subseries II.A.4.b. Dummies and Test Run Issues, 1984-1986, 2003, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
Dummies and Test Run Issues contain four different paste ups created prior to full production of the dummies, dummies from four dates of publication, and issues from two separate test runs. The dummies and test run issues show several cover design variations and logos with a major logo revision from the first test run to the second along with a price drop. Dummy dated June 17, 1985 has four different cover designs. Additional cover and logo designs are in the Art Department Graphic Development Files.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by creation date with notes from the Time Inc. Archives regarding the materials at the front.