Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1981-1987 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
3 files
Context area
Archival history
Content and structure area
Scope and content
3 files concerning the development of the Observer colour magazine.
File 1
Covers the period November 1981 to February 1983 and predominantly concerns the development of magazine supplements. It contains correspondence and memorandums regarding: production costs; advertising; content schedules; partworks (particularly European Cookery in 1982); launch of magazine extras; features; TV Guide; competitors; sale of cookery tapes; design; recruitment of staff and Money Observer.
Primary correspondents include: Roger Harrison; John Nuttall Smith; David Bishop; Nichollas Morrell; Peter Crookston and Trevor Grove.
File 2
Covers the period February 1983 to July 1984 and predominantly concerns magazine supplements and advertising. It contains correspondence and memorandum regarding: Extras, advertising features; olympic coverage; wraparound project; partworks (particularly British Cookery in 1983); Junior Observer Magazine; production costs; syndication; colour printing; options to address competition from Sunday Times magazine; Terra Nova children's comic; Insider's guides; regional advertising; editorial/advertising ratio; issue size and layout; content schedules; staff expenses; Scotland campaign; Extras on the cover; Money Extra competitions and model maker fees.
Primary correspondents include: Roger Harrison; John Nuttall Smith; Nichollas Morrell, Donald Trelford and Trevor Grove.
File 3
Covers the period July 1984 to January 1987 and predominantly concerns magazine supplements, features and advertising. It contains correspondence and memorandums regarding: forward planning; issue format; partworks; costs; Royal wedding coverage; travel schedules; Young Observer; content schedules; work to editorial office; typesetting; Taste of India promotional lunch; donations to Mali; distribution of British Airways city series; magazine development ideas; triographics; youth magazines; magazine relaunch; photography award nominations; staff expenses; advertising; Extras; interview with Prince Charles; editorial/advertising ratio; issue size and layout and advertisement features.
Primary correspondents include: Roger Harrison; John Nuttall Smith; Nichollas Morrell, Donald Trelford and Trevor Grove.
Creator: The Observer Limited; Managing Director's Office; Roger Harrison
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Access Status
Open
Closed until
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Harrison; Desmond Roger Wingate (1933-); managing director and chief executive of The Observer (Subject)
- Nuttall-Smith; John; Observer employee (Subject)
- Crookston; Peter Christian; journalist (Subject)
- Grove; Trevor Charles (1945-); journalist (Subject)
- Morrell; Nicholas J; chief executive of The Observer (Subject)
- Trelford; Donald Gilchrist (1937-2023); journalist, broadcaster, and editor of The Observer (Subject)
- Levy; Paul (1941-); author and broadcaster (Subject)