An experimental pamphlet cover

Poetry and Audience

Exploring the evolving design of the pioneering Poetry and Audience magazine. An online exhibition from Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Poetry and Audience 6th November, 1953. Editor: Ralph Maud. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Hubert Dalwood's logo

Poetry and Audience 11th October 1957. Editor: James Simmons. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

The circle cover design

Poetry and Audience 6th October, 1961. Editor: Ben Sherriff. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

An experimental pamphlet cover

Poetry and Audience Pamphlets Number 2: Poems by John Quail. 1965/66/69. Editor: Roderick Wilson.. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

The design continues to evolve

Poetry and Audience 29th November, 1963 Editor: Jeffrey Wainwright. 1965/66/69. Editor: Roderick Wilson.. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Stencilled lettering for volume 13

Poetry and Audience 15th October, 1965. Editor: Brian Oxley. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Precision line work and impressionistic styles clash in volume 20

Poetry and Audience Volume 20 Issue 2. Editor: Brian Oxley. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Mary Outram's illustration in volume 23

Poetry and Audience Volume 23 Issue 1. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

Andy Arnold’s satirical cover design for volume 26

Poetry and Audience Volume 26 Issue 1. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

The Grass’s Time by John Glover, Northern House

Northern House Pamphlet Poets: The Grass's Time

Poetry and Audience The Grass’s Time. One of a selection of cover pages from the magazine Poetry and Audience, part of the archives held in Special Collections at Leeds University Library.

This relief pressing was used on Poetry and Audience's front cover and for its pamphlet series dedicated to individual student poets.

The vivid front cover depicts a sprawling human being with the initials of P&A in the top right hand corner. Offset by its orange background, it makes for a visually striking piece.

This cover is for the second in the series which featured the poetry of John Quail. Edited by Roderick Wilson, it was published in 1969.

Examples of other poets involved include Brian Oxley and Jonathan Brown.

With around 40 other student-run Leeds University Union journals in publication at the time, covering subjects such as film, fine art, the beat generation, jazz, sociology, theatre and foreign cultures, this experimental cover made Poetry and Audience stand out.

CLASSMARK: University of Leeds, A-0.01 POE