Grip was a satirical magazine published in Toronto by John Wilson Bengough between 1873 and 1894.[1]

Grip
Cover of Grip's last issue, December 29, 1894
EditorJohn Wilson Bengough (1873–1892)
Thomas Phillips Thompson (1892–1894)
PublisherGrip Ltd
First issueMay 24, 1873
Final issueDecember 29, 1894
CountryCanada
ISSN0702-3987
OCLC604715074

Grip's first issue was released on May 24, 1873.[1] The magazine's title was taken from the name of a raven in Barnaby Rudge, a novel by Charles Dickens.[1] Its weekly circulation peaked at approximately 7,000 copies per week.[2] Ramsay Cook argues that the magazine first entered mainstream consciousness during the Pacific Scandal.[3]

Bengough took inspiration from the cartoons of Thomas Nast,[4][3] particularly those mocking William M. Tweed, a Tammany Hall boss, that appeared in Harper's Weekly.[5] Cumming argues that Grip was strongly influenced by Punch, a British magazine of political satire.[6]

Mendelson suggests that Grip's political line was strongly influenced by the political economy of Henry George, who argued for free trade and a single land tax.[7] Mendelson also points out that the publication espoused racist, antisemitic, and nativist views by perpetuating stereotypical portrayals of Black and Jewish people, non-white immigrants, and others.[8] Grip generally had Grit leanings.[9]

Thomas Phillips Thompson became Grip's editor in 1892 after Bengough was removed.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Mendelson 2007, p. 2.
  2. ^ Cook 1985, p. 123.
  3. ^ a b Cook 1985, p. 126.
  4. ^ Hustak, Alan; Monet, Don (July 8, 2015). "Political Cartoons". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  5. ^ Cumming 1997, p. 34.
  6. ^ Cumming 1997, p. 38.
  7. ^ Mendelson 2007, p. 4.
  8. ^ Mendelson 2007, pp. 6–7.
  9. ^ Cumming 1997, p. 40.
  10. ^ Cumming 1997, p. 28.

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