Trans and Cross-Dressing Magazine "The World of Transvestism" Archive, 1979-1998

Archive of fifteen issues of The World of Transvestism. London: Swish Publications Ltd., 1979–1998. Fifteen issues, each 11 x 8.25 in., saddle-stapled in color pictorial wrappers. An uncommon run of the British trans periodical The World of Transvestism, issued by Swish Publications Ltd., and associated with The Beaumont Society and related UK trans networks. Published for a primarily heterosexual male audience interested in transvestism and cross-dressing, the magazine includes photographic spreads, personal narratives, classifieds, and information on support groups including the TV/TS Group, The Glad Rag, and The Beaumont Society. This subcultural periodical (truncated) nonetheless created a formative publishing platform for trans women and transfeminine people to narrate their experiences, share images, and build an international readership prior to the internet era. Notably, the back matter includes mental health and crisis resources for readers, as well as advertisements from trans-friendly services and publications across Europe and North America.

Issues include: [1] Vol. 2, No. 4 (1979), [2] Vol. 3, No. 9 (1980), [3] Vol. 4, No. 7 (1981), [4] Vol. 4, No. 9 (1981), [5] Vol. 8, No. 11 (1985), [6] Vol. 13, No. 5 (1990), [7] Vol. 13, No. 12 (1990), [8] Vol. 14, No. 6 (1991), [9] Vol. 16, No. 8 (1993), [10] Vol. 17, No. 2 (1994), [11] Vol. 17, No. 7 (1994), [12] Vol. 18, No. 4 (1995), [13] Vol. 19, No. 3 (1996), [14] Vol. 20, No. 10 (1997), [15] Vol. 21, No. 3 (1998).

Despite its sensational cover styling and adult-marketed appeal, The World of Transvestism offered one of the few serial forums for transfeminine expression in Britain during the 1980s and 1990s. As such, it holds particular historical value for understanding the relationship between gender identity, erotic subculture, and printed media before broader social recognition of transgender lives. Well-preserved group, overall very good. (Inventory #: 22091)