As the TV Times magazine turns 70 this year, I wanted to try and identify all the photographers (and artists in some cases) who were responsible for the iconic Christmas covers since it began in 1955. I helped to write a similar script for the Radio Times's centenary a couple of years ago:
Further Christmas Wrapping: 100 Years of Radio Times
Although I was successful with that, I'm having more difficulty with the TV Times. I've identified the main photographers: the late Peter Bolton, Rod Ebdon, the late Ron McFarlane and Paul Stokes. There were others too like the late Bert Hill, Derry Brabbs and Ian Vaughan. However, some covers still elude me, shown above, i.e.:
- 1963 (Little girl in prayer)
- 1967 (Choirboys in the parish church of Bierton in Buckinghamshire)
- 1971 (Barbara Murray in a Santa outfit)
- 1973 (Sid James and Barbara Windsor in Christmas outfits)
https://ukchristmastv.weebly.com/tvtimescoversa.html
https://ukchristmastv.weebly.com/tvtimescovers2.html
I know that Peter Bolton was there from the beginning in 1955, joined by Rod Ebdon in 1961, then Ron McFarlane in 1964 and Paul Stokes in 1968 (the year the magazine went national). Rod Ebdon has been in contact and is struggling to remember while Paul Stokes tells me that "higher end" freelancers did 1971 and 1973, but didn't give me any names.
I've tried numerous ex-staff members at TV Times and its own archive to no avail. The issues themselves also don't credit them at all.
Would anyone be able to assist me please? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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