George. October 2000. The George Awards
New York: Hachette Filipacchi Magazines, 2000. Quarto, publisher's photo-illustrated wraps.
"A magazine about politics for people who think they don’t like politics." October 2000 issue of JFK, Jr.’s "politics-as-lifestyle" magazine, with Michael J. Fox on the cover. Established in 1995 with businessman Michael Berman after Kennedy left his career as a lawyer behind, George was the first mass market magazine to pair politics with glamor and celebrity. (The inaugural issue, featuring a now-iconic cover image of Cindy Crawford as George Washington shot by Herb Ritts, was a blockbuster debut.) While the "post-partisan" publication was an immediate hit, by late 1998 George began to flounder due to editorial infighting, a drop in readership, and general financial trouble – the New York Post began a "virtual George death watch." When publisher Hachette Filipacchi informed Kennedy they would be pulling the plug on the magazine, he scrambled to find new investors; it was during this interim period that he died in a plane crash, on July 16, 1999. The magazine remained in print for one year after the tragedy. This issue – "The George Awards" – features an interview with MJF by Nancy Collins, short profiles of seven "Citizens of the Year" (including Mr. Rogers) on the occasion of the first George Awards, a critique of Hillary's loyalty to Bill, a profile of Willie Nelson and another of Spike Lee, and more. Profusely illustrated in color and black-and-white. Light creasing and edgewear, original sticker to upper wrap. Near fine. Item #7154
$50.00