Administrative/Biographical History

Martine Rose founded Rose's House in Sheffield, UK in 1979 as a place to provide comprehensive help and support facilities for the transgender community. This was in the days long before 'dressing services' became almost commonplace. The regular parties during the 1980's became extremely popular attracting guests from all over the country as so little else was available in those days.

Rose's House was such a great success that Martine launched Repartee Magazine as a printed publication in 1989. Because of its original lively approach to transvestism, Repartee grew rapidly from an initial 100 copies with photocopied pages into what soon became regarded as the leading magazine for transvestites in the UK, if not the world. It had a growing international readership and was consistently voted “Best Lifestyle magazine from UK” by The Tranny Guide.

As a printed magazine, Repartee had a great stylish design and was renowned for its excellent standard of production and varied content. Each issue was full of information and support, photos, readers’ letters, features, stories, event reviews and helpful fashion, make-up and dressing advice. Since 2004 it was full colour throughout. For many years it was all produced single-handed by Martine Rose but in later years, Bella Jay joined Martine and became editor of Repartee. In mid-2016 the printed magazine ceased to exist but continued digitally.

Scope and Content

Issues of Rose's Repartee/International TV Repartee, No.1-82 (1989-2016).

Quantity

2 boxes.