Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- April 1989 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 mp4 (13.3 MB); part of 2 VHS, 1 DVD and 1 mp4 (143.6 MB) & part of 1 Umatic and 1 mov (2.75 GB)
Context area
Archival history
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Four copies of a colour advert with sound, promoting The Observer's environmental coverage:
a. The advert shows a man driving an empty cart through the fields. Eventually a group of other men (journalists 'jumping on the bandwagon') run through the fields and jump onto the back of the cart.
Commentary: "For nearly 20 years, the Observer has had a full time specialist writing on the environment. Sadly, mankind has managed to keep the typewriters busy. In the '70s there was asbestos to worry about, and pollution at Aldermaston. We covered these and many more stories. In the '80s we were the first to disclose the effects of acid rain in Britain. We highlighted the dangers of lead in petrol. We started a 'Save our Countryside' campaign. Sometimes it seemed rather a lonely business, but it wasn't until 1985 that most of the other nationals began to hire their own full time environmental specialists. It's nice to see them, of course, but compared to the Observer, they're still a little green."
(Unspoken) tagline: "A different set of values. A different kind of paper."
The advert starts at 9.48 on the 'Historical Reel 1976 - 1989' mp4 file. Duration: 60 seconds.
b. Duplicate of version (a) on a separate umatic and mp4, but with a longer final shot. The advert starts at 0.01 on the mp4 file. Duration: 63 seconds.
c. Duplicate on a separate VHS tape and mov file. The advert starts at 0.04 on the mov file. Duration: 63 seconds.
d. Duplicate on the same VHS tape and mov file as version (c). The advert starts at 01.18 on the mov file. Duration: 63 seconds.
Creator: The Observer Limited, 1917-1993
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access in the reading room at Kings Place via the GNM Digital Repository.
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
a) Also included on the VHS, DVD and mp4 file are Observer adverts: OBS/9/1/1/5-11; OBS/9/1/1/12a; OBS/9/1/1/13-15; OBS/9/1/1/16a; OBS/9/1/1/17/1b; OBS/9/1/1/21/2b; OBS/9/1/1//24/1a; OBS/9/1/1/24/2a; OBS/9/1/1/24/3a; OBS/9/1/1/24/3c and OBS/9/1/1/36a.
c-d) Also included on the VHS tape and mov file are Observer advert OBS/9/1/1/36 versions (c) and (d).