Literary Types Find Love In 'The New York Review Of Books'

by NPR Staff - February 9, 2013

          

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There are a lot of places these days to look for all kinds of love, especially online. But what's an aging intellectual who loves William Gass, Philip Glass and a good merlot to do?

The distinguished New York Review of Books celebrates its 50th anniversary this month. It is noted for its rigorous writing and stellar cerebral lit stars — and its personal ads.
For example: "ANTEDILUVIAN MARINER (M) seeks attractive coxswain (F) to put in at terra firma amidst coming torrents. Long-term relationship inevitable. Will steer clear of Mount Ararat in protest of Armenian genocide. Mont Blanc? Open to suggestions."

Look in the upper-right corner of this image for the very first personal ad to appear in The New York Review of Books, on July 11, 1968.

The magazine's associate publisher, Catherine Tice, tells NPR's Scott Simon that she doesn't know exactly what the reasoning was behind the decision to run personals. "But I do have the very first personal ad, from the July 11, 1968, issue. It's very succinct." And it is: "Wife wanted: intelligent, beautiful, 18 to 25, broad-minded, sensitive, affectionate. For accomplished artist and exciting life. NYR box 1432."
No word on whether the accomplished artist found his broad-minded and affectionate dream wife, but Tice says there have been some personal ad success stories. "We've been told of marriages and alliances of many kinds," she says. One woman said the responses to her ad "literally knocked my socks off."

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