Workbench Magazine: November-December 1958 Issue
Vintage periodical/magazine, commercial print on paper • Published by Modern Handcraft, Inc.; cover design likely by an in-house graphic artist.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern graphic design; Americana/Commercial Illustration.
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography and halftone printing on paper; includes a mix of graphic illustration and black-and-white photography.
Creation Period
November-December 1958
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8.5 x 11 inches; portrait orientation, standard magazine format.
Subject Description
Seasonal Christmas-themed cover featuring a stylized tree with ornaments. Four photographic vignettes of DIY projects are presented as 'unwrapped' gifts, including a child with a hand drill, a drawing board, a train table/blackboard combo, and a photographer's darkroom cabinet.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair; shows typical signs of aging for a mid-century pulp-based periodical.
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $35.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$10.00 - $25.00 USD
Provenance History
Original subscriber copy; features a vintage mailing label addressed to Eldon Buschee in Palm Springs, California.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the post-WWII DIY and hobbyist boom in the United States. It reflects the gendered domestic labor and leisure activities of the 1950s nuclear family structure.
Notable Features
Includes the original 35-cent price mark and a 'Special Section: With Santa Claus in [his workshop]' teaser; noteworthy for the intact mailing label providing specific geographical and temporal provenance.
Condition Issues
Visible edge wear, minor creasing at the spine, slight yellowing of the paper stock (oxidation), and a partially detached or worn mailing label at the bottom right.
Conservation Recommendations
Storage in an acid-free, archival-quality sleeve with a backing board. Keep away from direct sunlight and high-humidity environments to prevent further foxing or fading.