Spare Rib

Spare Ribwas asecond-wave feministmagazine, founded in 1972 in theUnited Kingdom, that emerged from thecounterculture of the late 1960sas a consequence of meetings involving, among others,Rosie BoycottandMarsha Rowe.Spare Ribis now recognised as having shaped debates aboutfeminism in the UK, and as such it was digitised by theBritish Libraryin 2015.The magazine contained new writing and creative contributions that challenged stereotypes and supported collective solutions that related to feminist issues. It was published between 1972 and 1993.The title derives fromthe Biblical reference to Eve, the first woman, created fromAdam's rib.
The first issue ofSpare Ribwas published inLondonin June 1972.It was distributed by Seymour Press to big chains includingW. H. Smith & Sonand Menzies — although the former refused to stock issue 13, due to the use of an expletive on the issue's back cover. Selling at first around 20,000 copies a month, it was circulated more widely through women's groups and networks. From 1976,Spare Ribwas distributed byPublications Distribution Cooperativeto a network ofradicaland alternative bookshops.
The magazine's purpose, as described in its editorial, was to investigate and present alternatives to the traditionalgendered rolesof virgin, wife, or mother.
The nameSpare Ribstarted as a joke referring to biblical Eve being fashioned out of Adam's rib, implying that a woman had no independence from the beginning of time.
TheSpare Ribmanifestostated:
Early articles were linked closely withleft-leaning political theories of the time, especiallyanti-capitalismand the exploitation of women as consumers through fashion.
As thewomen's movementevolved during the 1970s, the magazine became a forum for debate among members of the different streams that emerged within the movement, such associalist feminism,radical feminism,lesbian feminism,liberal feminism, andblack feminism.Spare Ribincluded contributions from well-known international feminist writers, activists, and theorists, as well as stories about ordinary women in their own words. Subjects included the "liberating orgasm", "kitchen sink racism",anorexia, andfemale genital mutilation. The magazine reflected debates about how best to tackle issues such as sexuality and racism.
Due to falling subscriptions and low advertising revenue,Spare Ribceased publication in 1993.
Spare Ribbecame acollectiveby the end of 1973.The collective editorial policy was to "collectively decide on articles that they publish, and work closely with the contributors. Accept articles from men only when there is no other resource available."Drew Howie was a consultant through 1990-1993.
According to Marsha Rowe, one of the original magazine designers, the "look" ofSpare Ribwas born out of necessity: it had to look like awomen's magazine, yet with contents that did not reflect conformist stereotyping of women.Spare Ribcovers were often controversial.The design had to be both stable and flexible to allow for future change while retaining the basic identity. Integral to every decision was cost.
Finding non-sexist advertising in accordance with the values of the magazine was another challenge.
Scholar Laurel Foster wrote in 2022 for the 50th anniversary ofSpare Rib's first issue: "The self-expression and persuasive writing of the pioneering magazine have their legacy in feminist media today. [...] Because of its standing in feminist history, Spare Rib has become a touchstone for later feminist magazines."In their 2017 bookRe-reading Spare Rib, Angela Smith and Sheila Quaid wrote thatSpare Ribplayed a key role in the development of second-wave feminist thought and its spread into thecollective consciousness.
It was reported byThe Guardianin April 2013 that the magazine was due to be relaunched, with journalistCharlotte Ravenat the helm.It was subsequently announced that while a magazine and website were to be launched, they would have a different name.
In May 2015, theBritish Libraryput its completearchiveofSpare Ribonline.The project was led byPolly Russell, the curator behind anoral historyof thewomen's liberation movement.The archive was presented with new views on the subject matter and themes, curated by expert commentators. The British Library website describes the value ofSpare Ribfor current readers and researchers:
In February 2019, the British Library announced a possible suspension of access to the archive in the event of a no-dealBrexit, due to problems relating to copyright.It was announced in December 2020 that access would be withdrawn at the end of the transition period.