History of Kilburn and West Hampstead

‘Truth’ was a society weekly magazine begun by Henry Labouchere in 1877 and it continued under different owners until 1957. It was read by the upper and middle classes and had a circulation of about 30,000. There was regular coverage of society events, the theatre and sport. But it also carried out investigative journalism, often focusing on exposing financial swindlers.    Henry Labouchere   In 1909 Truth targeted the ‘Munich Artists’ Guild’ which they said operated the well-known free portrait trick using house to house selling. An example was given of a woman who ordered two free enlargements of her photograph and then received a demand for £3 16s for the works when framed and completed. Truth wanted its readers to know the address of the ‘Guild’ was 21 Cowper Street Leeds. Later Truth named Armin Gross as the man behind the scam, and they pursued him at every opportunity. The 1911 census showed 31-year old Armin Gross living with his family at 21 Cowper Street Leeds...