Le guide de la femme: No. 9, May 1962

Paris: Migra, 1962. First Edition. May, 1962 issue of "Le guide de la femme" ("Woman's Guide"), a mid-century Parisian periodical published with the patronage of French author, journalist, politician, and noted feminist Louise Weiss.

Produced by and for France's Modern Woman, the periodical billed itself as being "at the forefront of feminine progress," with articles on fashion, personal grooming, entertainment, leisure activities, cosmetology, film and television, music, and astrology.

Louise Weiss grew up wealthy in Alsace. After training as a secondary school teacher (much to the chagrin of her parents), she received a degree from Oxford University, published the scarce "L'Europe nouvelle," subsequently committing herself to women's suffrage between the World Wars. Her works as a feminist were seen on a mass scale in the form of various periodicals, "Le Guide de la Femme" arguably the freshest and most forward-thinking in production design and output. She also participated in campaigns for women's suffrage in France, even chaining herself to a streetlight in Paris. Always a prominent voice, Weiss became a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), its oldest member until her death at age 90. Weiss even has streets and schools named in her honor in France.

Little is documented on "Le Guide de la femme," and few (if any) copies are held by institutions and libraries. Photography by the likes of J. Stara (of Kraftwerk notoriety), Mario, Leonardo, and Jose Arturo played a major role in the advertising and full-page glamour photographs throughout the periodical, as did fashion and beauty advertisements, short stories, and brief notes on contemporary film by Jany Casanova.

Saddle-stapled in monochrome photo-illustrated wrappers. 24 pages. Near Fine overall.

[Book #158198]