Illustrated periodicals began to become more prevalent around the 1830s. A rise in printing technology partially explains this phenomenon, but more important are the improvements in paper making technology. In the previous century, paper had been a somewhat luxury item, but new steam-driven paper making machines were able to produce a cheaper paper, making it more economically feasible to create publications. In England some of earliest successful publications were Charles Knight's The Penny Magazine and Thomas McClean's The Monthly Sheet of Caricatures.
Punch is by far the most successful illustrated publication to come out in this time. Established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew, Punch father the phrase "cartoon" in reference to satirical prints. Punch appealed to middle class humor, often criticizing the royal family. The images were often bold, striking and savagely critical. In the late 1800s, Punch experienced its richest time while featuring the works of John Tenniel and Harry Furniss.
The next periodical to give Punch any competition is Vanity Fair, established in 1868.
The magazine used colored lithography to create "anti-portraits" that people would hang in their homes. Two prominent artists from Vanity Fair were Carlos Pellegrini and Leslie Ward who would sign their work with the psuedonames "Ape" and "Spy."
Image 1: Cover of Thomas McClean's The Monthly Sheet of Caricatures
Image 2: Cover of Henry Mayhew's Punch
Image 3: Cartoon by John Tenniel
Image 4: Cartoon by Harry Furniss
Image 5: Darwin caricature from Vanity Fair
Image 6: Cartoon by "Ape" (Carlos Pellegrini)
Image 7: Cartoon by "Spy" (Leslie Ward)
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