Rag Rag : The Rag Rag Annual Magazine, 1932

University of Manchester Student Union

Rag Rag

<p style='text-align: justify;'><b>Content warning: As an historical item, some content in this magazine contains language and imagery that reflect the prejudices of the era, which are offensive, oppressive and may cause upset. This is not condoned by The University of Manchester, but we are committed to providing access to this material as evidence of the inequalities and attitudes of the time period.</b></p><p style='text-align: justify;'>The 1932 Rag Rag magazine was produced by students to raise money for charitable causes around Manchester. Although the Rag Rags deliberately avoided serious topics, this volume reveals the increasingly tumultuous economic and political landscape of the 1930s.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Features include ‘The Twin Game, or the Pellucid Pate’, a parody of mystery stories, and ‘Ow it is done’, a satirical commentary on contemporary political figures and trade unions. There are also jokes referencing the activities of the German Nazi party, the Depression and the devaluation of the pound. In addition to cartoons highlighting a heavy drinking culture, there is reference to the long-running ‘white hope’ boxing saga.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>There are comedic advertisements for chubby shaving sticks, Lookers ltd., Manchester Corporation Transport Department, Ancoats Hospital, Manchester hotels, Stewart & Stewart tailors, Sparke and Stephens, Thom’s Fine Castile Soap, Atora beef suet, Leeds Provincial Building Society, Miller’s British Baking Powder, Grips first aid pastilles, Sartor raincoats, Parkinsons’ chemists, the Manchester Ship Canal, the Co-operative Building Society, John Booth & Sons steel, Rowlands’ Bread, Goblin Wizard vacuum cleaners, James Wild & Co. house builders and Manchester Royal Infirmary. </p>