The first official issue was the May 1968; along the bottom is a notation that it is "incorporating Ballroom Dance magazine". Which explains why the first year had ads in the back for dance exhibitions and classes for the fox-trot. But the cover is striking. They're trying to find their level--articles about "Hello Dolly" and Spencer Tracy mixed with ones about the artist Robert Indiana best known for his "LOVE" poster and a Japanese avant-garde artist named Yayoi Kusama with nudity and string art.
I have a gap of several months--this is the October issue. A mix of articles--fashion with a tenor from the Metropolitan Opera; a big interview with Bea Arthur; the Living Theater and it's experimental flavor. Sometime this year they've started highlighting the logo on top and the listing of the cover subject.
November 1968---one of the more scandalous covers for it's time. But I love the graphics of it. Articles about Kate Hepburn and "The Lion in Winter"; electronic tarot;nudity on stage; "HAIR!" and John Philip Law:'a new kind of star". Lot of the fun in these old issues is seeing who they were trumpeting as a break-out performer. And old photos of movies and productions you didn't know old favorites were in.
The final issue for the year and they've gone all out with seeing how far to push the envelope--at least, for 1968. Nude photos of the cast of "HAIR" but tasteful ones, with certain parts covered by arms or other cast members. A fashion lay-out " The Gorgeous People are the Happening People". A big interview with "the most under-appreciated young leading man around" Sam Waterston. This issue breaks with the system of matching the logo color with the listing of the cover subject.
I don't have all the magazines for this year and I'm not even sure that there are actually more out there. It was just starting up and magazines did skip issues and months at times. If I get a missing issue, I'll be sure to add it.
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