Expert: J Heuman - 8/18/2004

Question
Dear Sir/Madam Heuman, I have a rather strange question: having to write an introduction to Simone de Beauvoir's short feminist texts in the fifties and sixties I have to write about a few American magazines I don't know, a.o. Flair, Vogue and McCalls. I found on the internet that Flair was a rather snobbish magazine on art, itself an art object, and was actively chasing american and european writers to contribute. But what about McCalls? (Does it still exist or is McCalls Magazine something else?) What kind of journal was/is this? I cannot find out why Beauvoir did an article for McCalls in august 1965 (I found on the internet the cover of it.) The title is: 'The most famous French woman explains what love is and isn't.' I have the text. Was McCalls after the intellectual elite at that time or why/how did they approach her? Are there any archives of McCalls? Any suggestion of who/where to turn to would be welcomed, thank you in advance! Karen Vintges,
University of Amsterdam

Answer
Greetings Karen,

This is really not an art historical question, as Simone de Beauvoir was a writer, and McCall's magazine would fit with 'media' or 'publishing' . . . but I tracked down a bit of information:

McCall's magazine signed a deal with comedian/actress and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell (September 18th 2002) to change it's name to "Rosie."  Rosie Magazine suspended publication after the December 2002 issue, as the joint venture betweent the publishers and O'Donnell was dissolved.  Prior to May 2001, Rosie was known as McCall's, and had been published continuously since 1876.

Future plans for the magazine are unknown at this time. Inquiries should be directed to the publisher (1-800-444-2604).

I hope this is of assistance.

Best wishes,
J Heuman