The Saturday Evening Post, founded in 1728, was made famous by Cyrus Curtis and became an award-winning publication featuring America’s best writers and artists. Norman Rockwell’s association with the magazine is well-known. After a libel case in 1967, it was revived in 1971 as a bimonthly publication focusing on public health issues.
The Saturday Evening Post is the oldest American magazine in publication. It was founded in 1728 with an origin that traced back to Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette, but was bought and made famous by Cyrus Curtis. Curtis bought the publication for $1,000 United States Dollars (USD) in 1897 and shot to success with a circulation of 1 million in 1906. It became an award-winning and iconic publication featuring America’s best writers and artists.
The magazine began as a weekly publication and contained general and human interest stories, editorial and humorous fillers, along with reader-generated content and fictional pieces. While the Saturday Evening Post’s content was primarily engaging and accounted for its growth, its illustrated cover of Americana is perhaps the best-known component of the publication.
Many artists have gained fame through their work with the Saturday Evening Post, including JC Leyendecker, John Clymer, John LaGatta and Steven Dohanas, but perhaps the most infamous illustrated cover is credited to Norman Rockwell. Rockwell began his career with the magazine in 1916 at the age of 22. He sold two covers to the Post and was commissioned for three more. Over his half-century career with the publication, Rockwell contributed more than 300 painted illustrations. Normal Rockwell and his association with the Saturday Evening Post are known throughout the world, and museums across America have devoted entire exhibits to his work.
The Saturday Evening Post ceased publication after a landmark libel case in 1967 in which University of Georgia head football coach Wally Butts sued Curtis Publishing over an article they published. The journal was revived in 1971 when Drs. Beurt and Cory SerVaas converted it into a bimonthly publication published by the non-profit Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society. The magazine now focuses primarily on public health issues, fitness and healthy lifestyles.
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