Boys Life Magazine Appraisal

Boys' Life Magazine, August 1956

This item is a copy of Boys' Life magazine, specifically the August 1956 issue, as indicated by the date 'August 1956' printed on the top left of the cover. The magazine features a vibrant cover image depicting a young boy actively water skiing, creating a large, white spray behind him. The water is a bright blue-green, suggesting a clear summer day. The 'Boys' Life' logo is prominently displayed in white, stylized font across the top. Below it, the tagline 'FOR ALL BOYS' is present. In the upper right corner, a white rectangular box contains featured articles: 'SCOUT TO ANTARCTICA', 'Elmer Joins the Band', and 'HOW TO WATER SKI', along with 'Our 1,650,000 Circulation'. The bottom right corner of the cover has an address label, now partially torn or creased, that appears to read 'JOHN N. CARTER' and 'STATEN ISLAND 10 N Y'. The overall condition shows significant wear, consistent with its age and likely storage. The corners are creased and dog-eared, particularly the bottom left. The spine appears to be intact but there are visible signs of tearing and fraying along the edges, especially on the right side where some red binding or a red-colored page is exposed. The cover itself has some minor scuffs and marks, and there are folds visible across the top and bottom sections. The magazine is likely constructed from typical magazine paper for its era, with a glossy or semi-glossy cover. This piece falls into the mid-20th-century publication style, reflecting the popular activities and interests of mid-century American youth.