Lobby Lud

Lobby Lud was a fictional character invented in 1927 by the Westminster Gazette, a British newspaper. The name derives from the telegraphic address of the newspaper ("Lobby, Ludgate").

Related Topics:
1927 - Westminster Gazette - British - Newspaper - Telegraph

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Anonymous employees of the newspaper would visit seaside resorts. The newspaper would print details of the town, a description of the appearance of that day's "Lobby Lud", and a particular pass phrase. Anyone carrying a copy of the newspaper could challenge "Lobby Lud" with the appropriate phrase, and receive the sum of money. Other newspapers such as the News Chronicle and the Daily Mirror ran similar schemes - "You are (name) and I claim my five pounds", the most well-known challenge phrase, seems to date from a Daily Mail version which ran after the Second World War.

Related Topics:
Pass phrase - News Chronicle - Daily Mirror - Pounds - Daily Mail - Second World War

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Holidaymakers were less likely to buy a newspaper, and since claimants for the prize had to have a copy of the newspaper, the newspaper proprietors hoped the prizes would increase circulation. The Daily Mirror's "Chalkie White" continues to visit resorts, and the idea has been taken up by local radio stations and other media (often offering lesser prizes).

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Graham Greene's Brighton Rock uses a Lobby Lud character (called Kolley Kibber) as a plot device.

Related Topics:
Graham Greene - Brighton Rock - Kolley Kibber

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