THE NEW YORK MAGAZINE; OR, LITERARY REPOSITORY: FOR MARCH, 1790

 

(EARLY AMERICAN PERIODICAL-NEW YORK)  THE NEW YORK MAGAZINE; OR, LITERARY REPOSITORY: FOR MARCH, 1790.                       

New York: T. and J. Swords, 1790. 8vo. Contemporary blue/green printed wrappers. (iv), 133-192 pages, plus engraved print loosely laid-in.

Rare early American periodical published in New York.  The New York Magazine began publication in January 1790 and ran until December, 1797, making it one of the longest-running eighteenth century American magazines.  We have the issue for March 1790 (Volume I, Number 3).  Mott (A History of American Magazines) described The New York Magazine as one of "the most important post-Revolutionary magazines."  The Magazine's varied content includes the literary, the edifying and the topical.  Since Congress was meeting in New York at this time, four pages are devoted to "Congressional Affairs."  Among the topics under discussion were establishing a diplomatic corp, organizing a national militia and considering the request of Yale College that the duties on a lately-imported "philosophical apparatus" be refunded to the college so as to encourage science.  Perhaps the most significant content of the Magazine is a "Description of the Federal Edifice in New York City,"  providing a detailed and glowing account of the first home of both branches of the legislature after the adoption of the Constitution.  The article is accompanied by a full-page, copper-plate "Perspective View of the Federal Edifice..." -- a plate attributed to Cornelius Tiebout.  Although it would become relatively successful, the Magazine listed only 469 subscribers at the close of its first volume in 1790.  However, George Washington was among those subscribers, and his library at Mount Vernon included at least the first five volumes.  Its original wrappers are primarily devoted to advertisements by booksellers and the New York Lottery.  The subscriber's name and address -- John Barron, Broad Street -- appear at the head of the front wrapper which have some ancient ink sums.  The plate of the Federal Edifice has been removed from the Magazine and laid down on a backing sheet to close minor tears and restore the blank margins.  Original wrappers have new string ties.

 

  $1,850.00