Sportview Annual #2 1955-1956

In an era when television was revolutionizing how Britain consumed sports, Peter Dimmock's second Sportview Annual arrived as a lavish celebration of an extraordinary period in British and international sport. Published at the intersection of traditional and modern sports coverage, this annual captured a pivotal moment in sporting history through both its content and its innovative presentation.
The physical presence of the annual itself is impressive, measuring 8½ by 10¾ inches, providing an ideal canvas for its 170 black and white photographs and the standout feature: full-page hand-tinted color photos that were considered state-of-the-art for the time. These colour images, featuring sporting legends like Dai Rees, John Charles, and Peter May, were so skilfully produced that they were considered suitable for framing – a common practice in an era when sports photography of this quality was still relatively rare.
What makes this annual particularly significant is its connection to the groundbreaking BBC "Sportsview" programme, which commanded a weekly television audience of millions. Under the editorial guidance of Paul Fox, the annual transcended the typical sports publication format of the day. Rather than merely presenting statistics and match reports, it offered intimate glimpses into the personalities behind the achievements, combining factual reporting with personal insights and behind-the-scenes stories.
The content spans an impressive array of sports, from the equestrian events at the Stockholm Olympics to motor racing at Silverstone with Mike Hawthorn. The inclusion of pieces like "Our Girls Do Wonders" reflects the growing recognition of women's sports, while articles on Donald Campbell's water speed records and the Monte Carlo Rally demonstrate the annual's broad scope beyond traditional sporting events.
Historical Context:
This annual was published during a fascinating period in British and world history. In the UK, 1955 saw Sir Anthony Eden replace Winston Churchill as Prime Minister, while commercial television (ITV) made its debut, forever changing the media landscape that Dimmock's own program operated within. The following year, 1956, would bring the Suez Crisis, a pivotal moment that marked the end of Britain's role as a global superpower.
The Christmas charts of these years reflected the growing influence of American culture, with Dickie Valentine's "Christmas Alphabet" topping the charts in 1955, followed by Johnnie Ray's "Just Walkin' in the Rain" in 1956 – both representing the increasing American influence on British popular culture.
The annual's coverage of the Olympics and international sports came at a time when Cold War tensions were manifesting in sporting arenas, with the Warsaw Pact being signed in 1955 and sports becoming an increasingly important battlefield for East-West rivalry.
What makes this annual particularly valuable today is its role as a time capsule, capturing not just sporting achievements but the broader cultural shift of mid-1950s Britain. Through its pages, we see a nation moving from post-war austerity toward modernity, with television and international sport playing an increasingly important role in British life.
For collectors and sports historians, this annual represents more than just a record of sporting achievements – it's a beautifully preserved snapshot of a pivotal moment in both sports media and British cultural history. The hand-tinted photographs, now nearly 70 years old, remain as vibrant as ever, while the writing style captures the excitement of an era when television was transforming sports from a local passion into a national obsession.

ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 
Publisher: The Thames Publishing Co, London
Published: 1956
Price: £40 
Hardcover: 94 pages