Queen Mary "Weekly Illustrated" Special

[Lynda Bradford]

The "Weekly illustrated" was a pictorial weekly magazine that used photos to tell the story. 

I have a copy of the Weekly Illustrated Special Queen Mary edition that was printed in 1936.

The front page headline is:

“The Dramatic and Graphic Story of the World’s Greatest Ship”

My copy is a bit torn on the outside, but I treasure this illustrated publication that tells the story of the Queen Mary from conception when it was decided to build a new giant Cunard vessel right through to her Maiden Voyage. 

I am particularly interested in the Social History that links into the people on Clydeside and particularly Clydebank.  These people relied on the building of this ship to pay for a roof over their head and for food in their mouth as there was no Welfare State in the 1930’s. 

I found this web site, which has a copy of an earlier Weekly Illustrated that was published in 1934 at the time of her launch.  You can click on the images to enlarge and read the story and you can also copy to your own computer to read at a later date. 

http://www.fulltable.com/vts/m/mag/w/qm/b.htm

The Weekly Illustrated 1936 version that I have has these pages plus much more about the launch, the fitting out of the ship, including the artists who were involved in making the beautiful art work.  Information on her sea trials, views of the interior of the ship plus some statistical facts are also featured.  As it is A3 size I would either need to find somewhere that could scan the publication or photograph it to allow me to share it but if I can I will do.  In the meantime I hope you follow the link above and enjoy reading what is available to view. 

[Lynda Bradford]

I have attached a selection photos of the Queen Mary "Weekly Illustrated" Special, from 1936. Amazing to think in a few years time this publication will be 90 years old.

[Lynda Bradford]

A few more pictures:

[Peter Mugridge]

Oh... my! 

[Rob Lightbody]

Thats absolutely awesome!

I love the photo of Queen Mary lit up at night, and also the faces of the men and the wee snippets of information underneath, all fascinating!

[Pete Hamill]

The floodlit photo you mention looks to be of her sitting off Gourock.

[Lynda Bradford]

A closer up view of one of the photos:

[Joann Scott]

Great pictures of the Queen Mary. They are going to open more things on tour in Long Beach later this year.
Will go then they do.

[cunardqueen]

Thanks to Lynda and with her permission l presented this magazine to The Commodore , hes a great guy and iv known him for years.
i told him he really needed to open this when he had a few hours spare . i know he was simply bowled over and will give it the respect the magazine deserves .

A few years ago l donated the Queen Mary Shipbuilder book to him,yes l know a few people thought i was mad to do so, But as l have always said while Queen Mary has been good to me , its time to donate something back for the archives, and it was pretty neat to see it on display in his office. And really sometimes you get to that stage that its time to let someone else appreciate something.