Vértice

Vértice was a Spanish-language monthly magazine founded in San Sebastián in April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. It was affiliated with FET y de las JONS, the political organization commonly identified with the Falange and later integrated into the political structure of Francisco Franco's regime. The publication functioned as a high-production cultural and political magazine supporting the Nationalist cause and, after the war, the emerging Francoist state. Its early subtitle was "Revista nacional de la Falange"; from late 1937, the wording was revised to refer to Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS, reflecting the formal political reorganization of the movement. The magazine was published by Nueva Editorial S.A. and used an unusually large format of approximately 355 by 280 millimetres. Its presentation combined political messaging with literary, artistic, cultural and visual material. This format and editorial approach placed Vértice among the early propaganda publications that sought to give the Falangist project an authoritative and modern cultural image. The magazine was not simply a party bulletin: it also used prominent writers, artists and filmmakers, and its pages brought together ideological commentary, cultural essays, creative writing and imagery intended to communicate the values of the Nationalist camp. Among the contributors associated with Vértice were Federico de Urrutia, Dionisio Ridruejo, Carmen de Icaza, Martín Almagro Gorbea, José María Usandizaga, Benito Perojo and the surrealist painter José Caballero. Their participation illustrates the publication's broad cultural network, although it does not imply that every contributor occupied the same political position or performed the same editorial role. The magazine's visual direction was particularly important. Tono, the pseudonym of Antonio Lara de Gavilán, served as artistic director until December 1938, after which Miguel Mihura assumed that responsibility. The publication also experienced several changes in editorial leadership. Manuel Halcón became director in April 1938 and remained in that position until April 1939. He was succeeded by Samuel Ros, who was later replaced by José María Alfaro. These transitions occurred around the end of the Civil War and the consolidation of Franco's rule. In December 1939, Vértice moved its headquarters from San Sebastián to Madrid, aligning the magazine more closely with the political and cultural institutions of the victorious regime. Vértice continued to appear monthly through the postwar period. Its final issue was number 83, dated 1946. The magazine is therefore best understood as a historical publication brand rather than an active contemporary media property. Its significance lies in the way it combined Falangist political communication with literary and visual culture, helping construct an aesthetic and ideological language for the Nationalist and early Francoist environment. The title also provides evidence of the role that magazines played in the cultural politics of wartime and postwar Spain: they were vehicles for political legitimization, regime identity, artistic patronage and the circulation of approved narratives. No current owner, website, successor publication or continuing commercial operation is identified in the available reference material.

Vértice emerged in San Sebastián in April 1937, while the Spanish Civil War was still underway. It was a monthly publication connected with FET y de las JONS, the Falangist political organization that became part of the institutional framework of Franco's Spain. Published by Nueva Editorial S.A., the magazine used a large physical format measuring approximately 355 by 280 millimetres. Its scale and presentation helped distinguish it from a narrowly administrative party circular. The title combined ideological communication with cultural production. Its subtitle initially described it as the national magazine of the Falange. From late 1937, the subtitle was revised to name Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS, reflecting the political restructuring of the Nationalist movement. Vértice supported the Nationalist cause during the war and later the Francoist regime, making it one of the early propaganda publications associated with the construction of Francoist political culture. The editorial program included political and cultural material, alongside literary and artistic contributions. Contributors named in reference accounts include Federico de Urrutia, Dionisio Ridruejo, Carmen de Icaza, Martín Almagro Gorbea, José María Usandizaga, Benito Perojo and the painter José Caballero. The magazine's cultural breadth allowed it to project a cultivated, modern and nationally oriented image of Falangism. Its artistic leadership was also notable: Tono, or Antonio Lara de Gavilán, served as artistic director until December 1938, when Miguel Mihura took over. Editorial leadership changed during the transition from wartime publication to postwar regime media. Manuel Halcón became director in April 1938 and continued until April 1939. Samuel Ros followed him, and José María Alfaro subsequently held the directorship. In December 1939, the magazine's headquarters moved to Madrid, the political center of the victorious regime. This relocation placed the publication closer to the institutions, cultural networks and official communications environment of postwar Francoist Spain. Vértice continued as a monthly title after the Civil War. Its last recorded issue was number 83, dated 1946. It is consequently a defunct historical magazine brand, with no documented present-day website, owner, successor or active publishing operation in the available material. Its historical importance is tied to the relationship between political propaganda and cultural publishing in Spain. By combining ideological messaging with writing, art, design and other cultural forms, Vértice helped provide a visual and intellectual presentation of Falangism and early Francoism. The publication also demonstrates how regime-aligned magazines could operate simultaneously as political instruments and as showcases for recognized cultural figures.

• 1946

  Final issue

  [1]Vérticeen.wikipedia.org

  Publication ends with issue number 83.

• 1939

  Headquarters move to Madrid

  [1]Vérticeen.wikipedia.org

  The magazine relocates its headquarters from San Sebastián to Madrid in December.

• 1938

  Editorial leadership changes

  [1]Vérticeen.wikipedia.org

  Manuel Halcón becomes director in April, while Miguel Mihura succeeds Tono as artistic director in December.

• 1937

  Launch in San Sebastián

  [1]Vérticeen.wikipedia.org

  Vértice begins monthly publication in San Sebastián during the Spanish Civil War as a Falangist-affiliated magazine.

• 1937

  Subtitle revised

  [1]Vérticeen.wikipedia.org

  The subtitle is revised to refer to Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS.

A large-format Falangist political and cultural magazine that combined regime propaganda with literary, artistic and visual content.

• Monthly political and cultural magazine · 1937

  Vértice

  The core and only documented product was the Vértice monthly print magazine. It was produced in a large format and combined Falangist and later Francoist political propaganda with literary, artistic, cultural and visual material. The magazine was published from 1937 to 1946 and ended with issue 83.

• 1939

  Relocation of headquarters to MadridStrategy

  Background

  After the end of the Civil War, Madrid became the central political and administrative location of the victorious Francoist regime.

  Action taken

  Vértice moved its headquarters from San Sebastián to Madrid in December 1939.

  Aftermath

  The relocation placed the publication in the capital during the early postwar period, although the available source does not describe its operational or financial consequences.

  Source

• 1937

  Revision of the political subtitleStrategy

  Background

  The magazine operated within the Falangist political and media environment during the Civil War. The political organization associated with the publication underwent formal changes during this period.

  Action taken

  From late 1937, Vértice changed its subtitle so that it referred to Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS rather than only to the Falange.

  Aftermath

  The revised subtitle presented the magazine as aligned with the reorganized political structure of the Nationalist camp.

  Source

1. 1Vérticeen.wikipedia.org