1949

December - Issue No. 1 released as 'The London Mystery Magazine', the volume is priced 2/6. The magazine is in the 'Digest Format' of 7⅜ by 5⅜ inches. The magazine is released in both the UK and the USA, the editions being the same except for the placement of regional advertising.

Founded and edited by Michael Hall, the magazine was distributed by Hulton Press in the UK and Ziff Davies in the USA. With thanks to the Abbey National Building Society (the owners of the property), the address for the magazine is given as 221b Baker Street, the home of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.

Immediately, the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle litigates against London Mystery Magazine for 'passing off' their magazine as being associated with Sherlock Holmes for using both the name and the address of the fictional character created by Doyle. The case was lost.

 

1950 

Magazine becomes bi-monthly from issue No. 2.    

During April/May of 1950, Michael Hall released a French edition of the magazine with all of the stories translated. The first issue of the French edition was translated from the third issue of the UK edition (though one cartoon from issue 2 was also included). It seems that interest was low, as no further French editions appear to have been produced. 

From issue No. 5, the magazine is renamed 'London Mystery Magazine'.

 

1952 

Magazine fails after issue No. 15 

Hulton Press release 'Mystery' a 439 page anthology, preserving the best of the magazine in a hardback book.

 

1953 

Magazine is Resurrected by Publisher, Major Norman Kark. The magazine is lowered to quarterly issues from No. 16 and is edited by Kark's Son Austen.

 

1954 

Jennifer Paterson (one of the 'Two Fat Ladies') Takes over editorship from Austen Kark.  

 

1956

Norman Kark takes over editorship of the magazine and with assistance, remains editor until the magazine closes.

 

1958 

From No. 36, the magazine is re-titled: 'London Mystery', increasing its story remit to cover supernatural and even science fiction offerings.

 

1965 

Price of volume is increased to 3/6

 

 

1968

The London Mystery Anthology of 1952 is re-released by Norman Kark, priced 21/- (mail order). The new release features a yellow dust wrapper with the magazine's iconic image of the policeman blowing his whistle.

 

1970

After Decimilisation, the magazine is priced at 25p and Reduced in size from its original 'Digest' Format to the 'Paperback' format of 7¼ by 4¾ inches.  

 

1973 

From No. 98, the magazine is re-titled: 'London Mystery Selection'

 

1974

From issue No. 101, the magazine is reduced in size from 'Paperback' format to the 'Pocketbook' Format of 7¼ by 4¼ inches.

 

1975 

Price raised to 35p

 

1977 

Price Raised to 50p

 

1980 

Price raised to 75p

 

1982

After 132 issues, London Mystery Magazine closes and Norman Kark retires to South Africa.