Private Eye Hits 50

Private Eye, the fortnightly magazine mixing politics with comedy, marks its 50<sup>th anniversary today.

Launched in 1961, when Harold Macmillian was prime minister and JFK had not yet completed a year in office, Private-Eye has risen to a 700,000 readership in 2011, surviving the digital revolution and being one of the much loved British jewels in today's media.

Tonight it will celebrate the launch of "The 50<sup>th Book" which will feature a collection of the very best articles, jokes and gossip.

Another milestone created this evening is the 25<sup>th anniversary of Ian Hislop's editorship at the publication. "I do not want anyone to think that this is all just a huge celebration of ourselves," he said. "Our 50<sup>th year is a chance to look back and take a dispassionate view of how marvellous we are."

Private Eye journalist, Adam Macqueen who joined in 1997 - the beginning of Tony Blair's premiership, will also be in attendance this evening at the private party. Famous for is in-depth, witty and "occasional" critical appraisal, Macqueen has created the book called "Private Eye: The First 50 Years, an A-Z.

Highlights include the story behind that Andrew Neil photo and the identity of Britain's biggest pseud.

Macqueen says: "I've been digging up stories for the Eye for fourteen years, but a lot of the stuff I found out about the mag surprised even me. When I discovered it surprised the editor too, I figured I must be doing something right."

Opening on Tuesday 18<sup>th October and running for three months until 8<sup>th January 2012, Private Eye at the V&A is on display in the V&A's Studio Gallery in South Kensington, London.