The World of Transvestites and High Society TV Ball Magazine Archive of 5 Issues. 1970s-1990s

The World of Transvestites

Periodical

Trans interest and cross dressing periodical archive documenting the movement of transvestite community publications between event programs, reader letters, personal ads, and self submitted image in the later decades of the 20th century. These types of periodicals served readers who often relied on adult publishing channels, postal exchange, clubs, and advertisements to find one another. Trans interest periodical and program archive, Los Angeles, Manchester, and London, circa 1970s to 1990s. Five publications, quarto, illustrated in color and black and white, including one Los Angeles ball program and four British transvestite interest magazines.

[1] High Society TV Ball. Number One. Los Angeles: Golden State News, circa 1970s. “A Transvestite Magazine" showcasing a large scale drag performance and cross-dressing celebration held at the International Hotel in Los Angeles that drew in a crowd of 1,500 people. Contents including “Introduction of Master of Ceremonies,” “Parade of Contestants,” “Entertainment,” “Awarding of Goddess of Congeniality,” and “Awarding of Goddess of Popularity,” and includes multiple pages of full color and black and white photos of the events that took place.

[2] The World of Transvestites: Stocking Tops. Special Edition. Prestwich, Manchester: TMC Publishing Ltd., undated, circa 1980s. Pink cover with black and white figure and contents including “Case Histories,” “Glamour Photos,” “True Confessions,” “Domination,” “Explicit Stories,” and “Readers’ Letters.” The opening editorial states that the “most popular request was for a stocking and suspender edition” and asks readers to send “suggestions, letters, photographs and comments."

[3] The World of Transvestites Incorporating Tranz. Vol. 14, No. 10. Tranz Publication, undated, circa 1980s or 1990s. Green cover, “For Sale to Adults Only,” with contents including “Personal Experiences,” “Letters,” “Classified Advert Section,” “Stories,” and “Fascinating Personal Photos.” The interior advertises the Beaumont Society, Health Education Authority information, Samaritans, Rose’s Club, and London Hospital for AIDS testing, alongside publisher advertisements for Swish Publications Ltd. in London and international representatives in the United States, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Spain, and Portugal.

[4] The World of Transvestites: Readers’ Letters. Special Edition. Manchester: TMC Publishing, undated, circa 1980s or 1990s. Green cover with a black and white seated figure and cover lines reading “Straight and Gay,” “Intimate Confessions,” “True Experiences,” “Reader’s Photos,” and “Enforced Cross Dressing.”

[5] The World of Transvestites: Readers’ Photos. Special Edition. Manchester: TMC Publishing, undated, circa 1980s or 1990s. Yellow cover with a black and white figure in maid costume and cover lines reading “See Them All,” “Tarts,” “Maids,” “Undie Lovers,” “Fetishists,” “Dressed In,” “Satin,” “Stockings & Suspenders,” “Corsetry,” “Uniforms,” and “All Ages, All Types.”

High Society TV Ball presents cross dressing as public entertainment, competition, and social recognition, with named awards for congeniality and popularity and an event structure built around contestants and performance. The World of Transvestites issues show a related network of editor publishing through personal testimony, advertisements, support groups and sexual health resources, as well as practical information about clubs, helplines, catalogues, and mail order publication. Covers and some wrappers with rubbing and corner wear; interiors generally clean. Overall very good condition.

Item #23561

Price: $1,250.00