Yes, it is. When I did my work experience at the local newspaper back in January 2001 they were still cutting out sections and glueing them on to big boards that they then photocopied to make the paper. The lines between columns were made with a black biro and a ruler. Those were the good old days of print before everything became digitised.
I had this image on my computer for a long time but I recently saw it again somewhere online and saved it again. It's a really good example of clever advertising by a publisher.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
@Silhouette Man That’s interesting, a friend of mine back in 70’s/80’s was a graphic designer (advertising campaigns) working from home and I used see his mock-ups, he used Letraset transfers and he had hundreds of sheets of different typefaces. It was fascinating to see them and I got a preview of what was coming soon.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,330MI6 Agent
Yes, I think that was just how it was mostly done back in those days. In fact, it seems to have been done that way until relatively recently if my local newspaper is anything to go by. Back in 2001 they were still using Amstrad computers with green type to type up the news stories and features and there were only a few newer PC type computers there. I remember one of the press photographers showing me how they used developer etc. to process the photos taken on film. It looked like a rather laborious process compared to nowadays. I imagine it's all much easier now with the advent of the internet and the ability to digitise text and photographs.
I had a real hankering to be a journalist when I was younger. I had three paternal great uncles who were journalists (they sadly all died before I was born). One of them was the London editor of the Belfast Telegraph. So writing is clearly in the blood. Also, most my favourite authors - Ian Fleming, John Gardner and Frederick Forsyth - all started their writing careers as journalists. Sadly I never went on to study journalism or become a journalism. That's probably one of my biggest regrets in life - that I didn't at least give it a go. Who knows? Maybe I'd have been rubbish but it would've been nice to see what it was like at least. Of course I was put off by people saying, "I don't think you'd be cut out for that." I've since found that it's usually a big mistake to listen to others giving career advice.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
That’s a real shame you got put off by others. Loads of people said the same to me when I wanted to start selling books as a career. Fortunately my parents said “give it a go, and if it doesn’t work out do something else”.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 31,111Chief of Staff
I think this is the regiment I’d sign up for ☺️
YNWA 97
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,330MI6 Agent
Yes, there are plenty of people in life who can tell you what you can't do but not so many who can tell you what you can! That's what I've found. I'm glad that you had good, supportive parents who backed you in your wish to have a career as a bookseller. And you made a great success of it I'm happy to say. I've since learned not to listen to other people so much any more and to just try to take any opportunities that come my way.
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Just to chip in here - many people (inc family) tried to dissuade me from taking up a musical career. They laughed and jeered, saying I didn't have any talent. That's why it took a long time for me to give up the day job and throw myself into music full-time. To keep things short I succeeded in making as much or more money than I had done earlier, had the satisfaction of recording albums full of self-written songs, and never went back to the grind. There's far more pleasure in playing an instrument and singing in front of people than working long hours for little thanks. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Don't listen to the nay-sayers.
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,330MI6 Agent
edited October 2025
Well said, @Barbel. You did great too. And your writing ability is still seen in the Imaginary Conversations thread. I'm glad you had a dream and followed it and made it happen. "Don't listen to the nay-sayers" is great advice.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Silhouette ManThe last refuge of a scoundrelPosts: 9,330MI6 Agent
edited October 2025
The first and second magazine titles remind me of an old saying my late father used to repeat, "Those were the days when men were men and women daren't wear trousers." Not very PC nowadays. 😀
"The tough man of the world. The Secret Agent. The man who was only a silhouette." - Ian Fleming, Moonraker (1955).
Comments
Great find @Silhouette Man
Wasn’t Daniel Craig linked with a movie version of this character once before?
This magazine could be on the shelves today 👀🤣
And that’s a great advert find @Silhouette Man 🍸
@Sir Miles I haven’t heard of that rumour, but then again I don’t really read much about possible movie projects.
More inside pages…
I love those titles, but don't think I'd love the actual stories!
Yes, it is. When I did my work experience at the local newspaper back in January 2001 they were still cutting out sections and glueing them on to big boards that they then photocopied to make the paper. The lines between columns were made with a black biro and a ruler. Those were the good old days of print before everything became digitised.
I had this image on my computer for a long time but I recently saw it again somewhere online and saved it again. It's a really good example of clever advertising by a publisher.
@Silhouette Man That’s interesting, a friend of mine back in 70’s/80’s was a graphic designer (advertising campaigns) working from home and I used see his mock-ups, he used Letraset transfers and he had hundreds of sheets of different typefaces. It was fascinating to see them and I got a preview of what was coming soon.
Yes, I think that was just how it was mostly done back in those days. In fact, it seems to have been done that way until relatively recently if my local newspaper is anything to go by. Back in 2001 they were still using Amstrad computers with green type to type up the news stories and features and there were only a few newer PC type computers there. I remember one of the press photographers showing me how they used developer etc. to process the photos taken on film. It looked like a rather laborious process compared to nowadays. I imagine it's all much easier now with the advent of the internet and the ability to digitise text and photographs.
I had a real hankering to be a journalist when I was younger. I had three paternal great uncles who were journalists (they sadly all died before I was born). One of them was the London editor of the Belfast Telegraph. So writing is clearly in the blood. Also, most my favourite authors - Ian Fleming, John Gardner and Frederick Forsyth - all started their writing careers as journalists. Sadly I never went on to study journalism or become a journalism. That's probably one of my biggest regrets in life - that I didn't at least give it a go. Who knows? Maybe I'd have been rubbish but it would've been nice to see what it was like at least. Of course I was put off by people saying, "I don't think you'd be cut out for that." I've since found that it's usually a big mistake to listen to others giving career advice.
That’s a real shame you got put off by others. Loads of people said the same to me when I wanted to start selling books as a career. Fortunately my parents said “give it a go, and if it doesn’t work out do something else”.
I think this is the regiment I’d sign up for ☺️
Yes, there are plenty of people in life who can tell you what you can't do but not so many who can tell you what you can! That's what I've found. I'm glad that you had good, supportive parents who backed you in your wish to have a career as a bookseller. And you made a great success of it I'm happy to say. I've since learned not to listen to other people so much any more and to just try to take any opportunities that come my way.
Just to chip in here - many people (inc family) tried to dissuade me from taking up a musical career. They laughed and jeered, saying I didn't have any talent. That's why it took a long time for me to give up the day job and throw myself into music full-time. To keep things short I succeeded in making as much or more money than I had done earlier, had the satisfaction of recording albums full of self-written songs, and never went back to the grind. There's far more pleasure in playing an instrument and singing in front of people than working long hours for little thanks. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Don't listen to the nay-sayers.
@Silhouette Man I've since learned not to listen to other people so much any more and to just try to take any opportunities that come my way.
@Barbel Don't listen to the nay-sayers.
Great statements, gentlemen.
My advice to anyone is to follow your dream and give it a go, at least you won’t always be wondering if you would have succeeded or not.
"Rebel pink panty platoon" is an epic title! 😃
Well said, @Barbel. You did great too. And your writing ability is still seen in the Imaginary Conversations thread. I'm glad you had a dream and followed it and made it happen. "Don't listen to the nay-sayers" is great advice.
They would sure give Putin something to think about were they to be deployed.
Thanks, @Silhouette Man. Go for your dreams.
I'm going to try to from now on. 😊
Adventure and more…
Some great evocative art there, @CoolHandBond! 🙂
I particularly liked the last image…you start to build your own backstory to that image.
Magazine and comic covers…
The first and second magazine titles remind me of an old saying my late father used to repeat, "Those were the days when men were men and women daren't wear trousers." Not very PC nowadays. 😀
More of the exciting lives of District Attorneys!
That "Panic" title looks a strange one.
Some glorious titles and fairly odd stories 😁
Vintage advertisements…the uses for the doll are hilarious!
So funny, and not just the doll one! 😅😅😅
A guaranteed trip with every tray 🤣
Two dollars duly sent ☺️
Inside pages…
The great American chipmonk???? 😮
Judy! I thought I was the only one for you ..... 😮
These are fabulous…you just wonder how bad (or good) the stories actually are…but thanks for posting @CoolHandBond 🍸