Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1933-1976 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
35 linear feet
Photographs, press materials, tear sheets
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Esquire is an American men's magazine, published by Hearst Corporation in the United States. It was founded in 1933 by Arnold Gingrich, David A. Smart, and Henry L. Jackson. Each of the founders had a different focus: Gingrich specialized in publishing, Smart led the magazine's business operations, and Jackson led and edited the fashion section. Jackson died in 1948, Smart died in 1952 but left Esquire in 1936 to found another men's magazine, Coronet. Gingrich led the magazine until his death in 1976, though Harold Hayes succeeded him as editor in 1961. The magazine was originally headquartered in Chicago but moved to New York City in 1950.
Esquire started in 1933 as a quarterly magazine, and later transformed itself into a more refined periodical with an emphasis on men's fashion. Originally published by Esquire Publishing Co., it has been published by Hearst since 1986. It has gone through numerous iterations. During the 1960s, the magazine was distinctive for its oversize pages and helping pioneer the trend of "New Journalism." It shrank to a standardized 8 1/2 by 11 inches in 1971. In 1977, the magazine was sold to Clay Felker who reinvented it as Esquire Fortnightly. This only lasted a year, after which the magazine ran monthly. David M. Granger has been editor-in-chief of Esquire since June 1997.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection contains black and white press photographs and tear sheets dating from 1933-1976.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
This collection is comprised of 2 series: photographs and tear sheets. Photographs are arranged chronologically by month and year. Tear sheets are arranged chronologically by year.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archives.
Conditions governing reproduction
The Department of Special Collections and FIT Archives does not own copyright for all material held in its physical custody. It is the researcher's obligation to abide by and satisfy copyright law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#108) when copying or using materials (including digital materials) found in or made available from the department. When possible, the department will inform a researcher about the copyright status of material, the researcher's obligations with regard to such material, and, wherever possible, the owner or owners of the copyrights. Any and all reproduction of originals is at the archivist's discretion. «
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Print versions of Esquire magazine are held in FIT Gladys Marcus Library periodicals. Some issues may also be available in Special Collections (AP2.E845).
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
The tear sheets were previously compiled in scrapbooks by Esquire, Inc.