Scope, Upjohn Company, 1948 designed by Lester Beall [Pharmaceutical Magazine]

Scope magazine, Vol. II, No. 8, August, 1948. The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. 9 x 11.25, 16 pages plus stapled covers. Covers, interior and full-page Upjohn advertisements designed by Lester Beall (1903–1969).

Scope was the bi-monthly pharmaceutical magazine published from 1941–1957 and sent to medical and health professionals. Individual issues were designed by Will Burtin and Lester Beall. This specialized magazine included articles on subjects such as: medical research and science reviews, diseases and conditions [beware of graphic content!] and their drug treatments; as well as advertisements for Upjohn products, most designed to merge with the editorial content.

Lester Beall designed the issues from 1944 to 1951. His designs represent a personal and distinct visual language through his use of experimental photography (many of his own photographs were used), photomontage, layering and repetition, graphic shapes and forms, spatial distribution, and mixed typographic styles. About his experiences with Upjohn, Beall said “(it was) very exciting from so many different angles: the design and layout, the typography and opportunity of interpreting in terms of photographs, drawings, or painting. It was the epitome of a designer’s desire for freedom of expression.” (Remington, 1996)

A very good magazine with clean covers. Light wear along the top margins and corners with a slight bump near the gutter throughout. Early individual issues of Scope designed by Lester Beall [and Will Burtin] are uncommon.