Vanity Fair (British magazine)

Vanity Fair was a British weekly magazine published from 1868 to 1914. It was founded by Thomas Gibson Bowles and became known for its satirical caricatures of prominent people of the day, including politicians, artists, writers, scientists, sportsmen, and members of the social elite.

The magazine's full title was Vanity Fair: A Weekly Show of Political, Social and Literary Wares. Its content comprised society news, fashion trends, theatre and book reviews, political commentary, and short fiction. However, it is most remembered for its distinctive and often biting caricatures, which were usually printed in colour. These caricatures were drawn by a variety of artists, most notably "Ape" (Carlo Pellegrini) and "Spy" (Leslie Ward).

Vanity Fair enjoyed a significant readership amongst the upper and middle classes of Victorian and Edwardian Britain. The magazine's caricatures offered a glimpse into the lives and personalities of the famous, and its wit and satire provided social commentary that appealed to its sophisticated audience.

Publication ceased in 1914 due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the onset of World War I. While this Vanity Fair is no longer in publication, it is unrelated to the current American magazine of the same name, which was established much later.