#200296 - Focus on London Selbee Associates
Focus on London After Dark, Volume 1, Number 2
Selbee Associates, Inc.
New York, New York
1963
digital replica
First subject in the Focus On Selbee series was Bettie Page. Eric Stanton drew the iconic Focus On nameplate logo as a shapely photographer in corset and heels.
The London sequel recounts the Ward-Profumo sex scandal, which exposed misconduct that put Britain's security at risk. The essay begins: “The sexsational scandal of the century — the wild Bacchannalian revelry involving Christine Keeler, John Profumo [British Minister of War], and famed osteopathic artist Stephen Ward — the uproarious merrymaking upon Lord Astor's own estate — the possibility of loss of valuable military secrets to Red Russia — these were the screaming headlines throughout the world.”
Testimony at the lengthy trial at the Old Bailey disclosed a sex-for-money ring orchestrated by Dr. Ward. He taught his models how to accommodate the personal needs of sadists, masochists and transvestites.
The title page lists “E. Stanton” as art director and page layouts reflect competence. The scandal essay is illustrated with grainy photographs of principals in the case (probably copied from newspapers), portrait sketches by Dr. Ward and illustrations by Mr. Stanton. The style of these drawings was like other pictures he did at this time for Selbee magazines. We've seen them in many later publications. But the five illustrations appear to picture descriptions of kinky sex services delivered by Dr. Ward's party girls. It's likely that these pictures were first seen as illustrations for the Profumo article in Focus on London.
A second article describes the Soho district, its striptease cabarets, prostitutes, and adult book stores. Accompanying photographs show streets, store fronts, marquees, and blonds talking business.
Another essay laments the proliferation of male prostitutes, who provide homosexual sex for a fee. Photographs show hang outs and conversations.
Apparently, Camera Club photo sessions were a popular hobby for British shutter bugs at the time. A shapely blond appears on several pages, surrounded by Clapham Junction photogs and their equipment. At London's Brush and Palette Club, nude models pose for amateur artists.
The other half of the magazine consists of pictorials of friendly British pinup models. In and out of a sweater, Vivian Warren poses at home. In stockings and garter belt, Allison Harvey's pictorial describes her as London's Most Beautiful Model. The Girls of London shows about a dozen of them, posing there.
The ebook contains all content of the 72-page magazine, including advertising. Original page layouts were retained. One page was relocated to achieve continuity of a pictorial.
Brightness and contrast were adjusted.
On some pages, prose deplores the sex-as-commerce habits of Londoners, condemning those involved, as though dismayed by their carnal appetites. Elsewhere in the volume, cheerful young women – in varied stages of undress – show off their curves for the entertainment of readers. It's strange dissonance for a Burtman publication. He often expressed encouragement for open mindedness about sexual eccentricities.
In 1963, London was a blooming center of culture — film, art, fashion, music, literature. But every big city has its seamy side, and Focus on London exposes an assortment of “after-dark” lifestyles suggested by the title. The ebook presents the mid-century magazine with clarity.
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