New Arizona Home for True West Magazine

Posted on November 24, 1999

True West Magazine, a publication chronicling the early American West, has been purchased by Cave Creek-based True West Publishing, according to Bob Boze Bell, managing partner. Bell, an Arizona native, western artist, historian, and Phoenix radio personality, and two Texas partners purchased True West, its sister publication Old West, and other assets from Western Publishing of Stillwater, Okla.

"This is a childhood dream come true," said Bell. "I bought my first True West when I was nine years old and living in Kingman, Arizona. It has been an inspiration ever since."

Marcus Huff, True West editor since 1995, has relocated to Cave Creek and will continue in that role with True West Publishing, Bell announced. Bell said he and Huff plan a major upgrade of the flagship publication, which will debut with the January 2000 issue.

"We want to retain the heritage and charm of this unique publication, but bring it into the 21st century with improved packaging, presentation and quality. We want True West to be the keystone element for a network of related products, including a full Internet presence, an Old West product catalog, expansion of the book offerings, and a panel of Old West experts that our readers can dialogue with.

With a combined international circulation of over 50,000, True West also publishes a wide variety of related books and art, all aimed at the Western enthusiast and history buff. The legendary Joe Small founded True West in Austin, Texas in 1953. Huff, who became editor at 27 is the youngest editor in the 46-year history of True West. "I grew up with this magazine," he said. "My grandfather had stacks of old issues on his back porch and I would spend my summers there, immersed in the Old West."