Sense of Magnum

A while back my father gave me his Manmagnum collection dating from 1977 to 2010. When I started sorting the magazines, I became mindful of how privileged I was to inherit such a tremendous amount of knowledge just waiting to be re-consumed.

Feelings were soon surpassed by emotions and thoughts as I wondered what would have happened had my father been an online reader. I could now touch the magazines and enjoy the sensation of holding something my father had held, and feel how paper, paper types and quality have changed.

I could see how printers, ink, writing styles and adverts had changed over time. From a time when knowledgeable text was preferred over graphics with imaginations untamed. I could hear the crackling sound of magazine pages that had been tainted by rising humidity in the bathroom caused by showering during the winter months.

I could smell the distinct smell that accompanies old literature – a musky scent with just a hint of mothballs. But, I could also distaste the possibility of another advance in technology that will relinquish our ability to take part in activities involving as many of the big five senses as possible, plus the sixth, not familiar to all, sense of space (proprioception).

This is why we truly love hunting, shooting, fishing, spending time in nature and reading Magnum in its natural form. Unequivocal respect and gratitude to all the ou toppies who we learned from and are still learning from. Please keep Manmagnum in print. – D Lourens, Gauteng