A couple of weeks ago, an Exmoor Society member kindly gave the Archive a copy of the very first edition of the Country Life Magazine, a copy which had been passed down through her family.
Originally Country Life Illustrated, it was subtitled ‘A journal for all interested in country life and country pursuits’. It was, for its time, a luxurious folio-size magazine, printed on heavy, glossy paper and well illustrated with large black-and-white photographs.
Exmoor features in a three-page article on the Devon and Somerset Staghounds at Horner. But that is not the only Exmoor connection. Country Life was created by Edward Hudson, the owner of a printing business, Hudson & Kearns. Recognising his lack of any real knowledge of the world of magazines, Hudson entered into partnership with George Newnes, a leading publisher of Tit-Bits and The Strand Magazine (now best known for the serialisation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mysteries).
We know George Newnes (photograph above) well for his close association with Lynton. Newnes transformed Lynton and Lynmouth, building the Town Hall, the Cliff Railway and the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. His Hollerday House, built between 1893 and 1895, was sadly destroyed by fire in 1913. George Newnes had entertained many a rich and famous visitor there, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in its 21 bedrooms, spacious lounge hall, four reception rooms and billiard room.
Graeme Horn, Volunteer Archivist
Image: George Newnes
