Country Fair

Country Fair banner

Collection of 1950s & 60s Country Fair magazines

We bought a small pile of vintage Country Fair magazines last week.

Country Fair magazine, Oct 1958 Country Fair magazine, Aug 1959

It was their covers that caught our eye. They feature wonderful illustrations of birds, animals, insects etc representing the particular month of publication.

Country Fair magazine, May 1959 Country Fair magazine, Apr 1957

They’re illustrated by John Hanna, an Australian artist who worked in London in the 1950s & 60s.

Country Fair magazine, June 1955 Country Fair magazine, Mar 1957

Inside are photos and articles about gardening, farming, cooking and country pursuits… from a slower-paced, simpler time.

As with many many magazines from this era, the adverts are also well worth a look.

Ad for Switzerland from vintage Country Fair magazine

We love the simple, stylised graphics of this one for holidays in Switzerland…

1950s advert for Paul fitted kitchen

…or how about this one for a fabulous 50s fitted kitchen…

1950s Shell advert from Country Fair magazine

…and nature guides – very reminiscent of early Ladybird books.

If we’ve pricked your interest, and you’d like to find out more, a compendium of the best issues from the ’50s is available from Amazon.

Country Fair (Amazon UK)
Country Fair (Amazon US)