Glasgow 'first' as city marks 200 years of world's original comic

The Herald Scotland

20-05-2025

Susan Taylor, Special Collections librarian, explains: 'I love this, because it is another Glasgow first.
'It was a short-lived publication – only around 16 issues over 1825 and 1826 – and, being an ephemeral item, in a broadsheet format that was expected to be enjoyed and disposed of rather than kept for posterity, not many have survived.'
Susan Taylor (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
She adds: 'These factors have contributed to its rarity.'
Glasgow Looking-Glass was a satirical comic which poked fun at the political and social life of Scotland in the 1820s.
Everything was fair game, from the upper echelons of society to the fashions of the day. The Glasgow Fair, an annual summer celebration where factories closed for two weeks and everyone went on holiday, enjoying shows and rides at Glasgow Green, also gets a mention in one of the editions.
Susan with the edition satirising the Glasgow Fair (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest)
It was the brainchild of William Heath, and printed by John Watson, one of Glasgow's early lithographic printers.
The first edition appeared on June 11, 1825.
It changed its name to the Northern Looking Glass, to reflect its national coverage, and publication ended in June 1826.
While the Glasgow Looking-Glass was short-lived, other similar publications created in the 19th century, like Punch, became celebrated across the country.
Susan hopes the exhibition and event will help bring this fascinating story of a Glasgow innovation to the wider public.
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'Its significance is not well enough known,' she agrees. 'We are proud to be able to share the Glasgow Looking-Glass with a modern audience and to discuss its significance both in terms of the history of comics and in terms of capturing a time in our history.'
She adds: 'Although much has changed in 200 years, I find that the Glasgow Looking Glass is still relevant today in terms of displaying a healthy irreverence to its citizens, the city and the world in general.'
At the event, the creation of a new Glasgow Looking Glass will 'compare and contrast historical and modern representations', says Susan.
'Whether it's 1825 or 2025, it is important that we are able to laugh at ourselves and each other,' she says, smiling.
'Humour is often a good way of dealing with the stresses of life and, in the process, bringing people closer together.'
Glasgow through the Looking-Glass, which will include a small display of Special Collections material in the foyer of Level 5 during library opening hours, runs until July 31.
An event, including talks on the creation and legacy of the original Glasgow Looking-Glass, the city in 1825 and the presentation of a 'new Looking-Glass' for 2025, will take place on June 7 from 10am until 12.15pm.
There will also be a comic-drawing workshop for children (and their grown-ups) from 2pm until 3pm. To reserve a place, call 0141 287 2988 or email [e-mail]