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First Issue Periodicals Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-148-BC

Scope and Content

This collection consists of first issues (v.1, no.1) of 126 periodical titles. The dates covered range from the oldest, Gardening, dating 1892, to Sunset, first issued in 1910. There are a few duplicates and later issues. All are published in the United States, mainly in Chicago, which at this time had become a center for some of the leading journalists and writers. The periodicals cover a large array of subjects, such as nature, fiction, poetry, general essays, religion, patriotic themes, political opinion, poker, art, metaphysics, business, sports such as bicycling, current events, theater, food, and sciences, for instance, the American X-ray Journal, and Journal of Medical Hypnotism.Some of the magazines were aimed at female audiences such as Women's World,and American Girl.

The collection was given to the University of New Mexico in 1969 by Darcie A. Dittberner Sims, a graduate of the University. One magazine is in German, the rest are in English.

Dates

  • 1892-1910

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.

Historical Information

Magazines have been described as "invaluable to the investigation into the tastes, manners, habits, interests, and achievements of any period of our [American] history." They are the "products and catalysts of social, cultural, and economic change." In America during the late nineteenth century, low priced popular magazines with national circulation were on the rise. A contributing factor for this was the widening of the magazine audience brought on by increase in population, leisure time, and general level of education and redistribution of income in the United States. Also by the 1890s, technological advances in the printing trade, large scale advertising, and editors and publishers who saw themselves as businessmen and journalists made it possible to have magazines of large circulation and at cheaper prices. Magazine circulation tripled between 1890 and 1905. Based on the tables in N. W. Ayer & Son's American Newspaper Annual, Frank Mott, author of A History of American Magazines, estimated that by 1895 there were little over 5,100 periodicals in publication in the United States, by 1900 somewhat over 5,500, and by 1905 the number had risen to 6,000. The society and culture presented by these popular magazines emphasized the "energy of urban life, popular amusements and entertainment, and scientific and technological progress."

Extent

1 box (1 cu. ft.)

Related Material

Popular Western Periodicals Collection Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico. Day Science Fiction Collection Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico.
Title
Finding Aid of the First Issue Periodicals Collection, 1892-1910
Status
Completed
Date
©2000
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 148 BC::First Issue Periodicals Collection)//EN" "nmu1mss148bc.sgm" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451