Smart Set was one of the leading literary magazines during the Jazz Age. Founded in 1900 by Civil War veteran William d'Alton Mann, the magazine published a veritable who's who of American writers - everyone from Jazz Age stars F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker and Anita Loos (each of whom Louise Brooks met or knew) to Frank Wedekind (author of Pandora's Box) and Jim Tully (author of Beggars of Life). The celebrated magazine also published mystery writer S. S. van Dine (author of The Canary Murder Case), Ben Hecht (contributor to The City Gone Wild) and Dashiell Hammett (author of The Maltese Falcon, who Brooks once met). Read more about Smart Set on its Wikipedia page, which contains links to old back issues.
Though serious minded (the magazine was once edited by H.L. Mencken), it hoped to appeal to the sometimes frivolous youth of the Jazz Age, as seen in this 1928 advertisement featuring Velva Darling. Be sure and check out the Jezebel article, "Forever 23: The Rapid Rise and Sudden Disappearance of Velva Darling, Modern Girl Philosopher."
Well anyways, this is all prelude to mentioning that Smart Set also hoped to lure young female viewers by utilizing the likes of actresses Louise Brooks, Clara Bow and Peggy Joyce.
And of course there is this well known image, of Louise Brooks holding a copy of the magazine. Following it is the issue which Brooks is seen holding, from August 1927.
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