TO THE JUVENILE PUBLIC.
The title to address the public, when a periodical work is first offered for patronage, is established by custom, and a deviation from the general usage, would be a breach of decorum, since the public now demands, as a right, what formerly it granted as a courtesy; and, of late years, more labour is bestowed in writing these “Repositories of promises,” than in vamping up the original work. As it seems required, therefore of every candidate, that he should publicly declare his pretensions to favour, the Editor, in compliance with the general custom, deems it necessary, briefly to state the intention of the present work; and, in this, as well as in his Editorial capacity, in general, he respectfully solicits from his patrons, that indulgence, which the inexperience of youth so amply requires. In order, therefore, to make up for his own deficiency, he respectfully solicits the favour and assistance of such of the “Literary Youth,” as may have time and inclination, to favour him with their communications. He has, also, the promise of a few gentlemen of polite taste, to condescend their aid, “to diffuse elegant and instructive literature, to soothe trembling merit, and to ROUSE AND FOSTER INFANT GENIUS.”
The columns of the Juvenile Port-Folio, will consist of all the variety of subject, and Miscellaneous literature, which Magazines, and other periodical literary works, usually contain: Selected with particular attention to those subjects, that are adapted to the improvement, edification, and rational amusement of youth. In our searches after variety, a preference will always be given to those pieces, which are characterised by elegance of expression, chastity of thought, and value of information. “Though we shall touch, like the Bee, upon every plant in the garden of literature, we shall only extract from those which produce sweets, and diffuse fragrance.”
Besides the more general subjects of literature, its pages will always be open to such extracts of popular interest, as may be judicious and entertaining; also a general selection of rare anecdotes, points of wit, brilliant repartee, &c. Our purpose will be to render this department, lively without licentiousness, brilliant without tinsel, and elegant without elaboration.
In the region of the Muses, we particularly solicit aid, but we fear “not from the voice of inspiration.” We may venture, however, to hope, that the perusal of our selected poetry will excite emulation, as no piece will be admitted, which cannot lay some claim to true genius and poetical merit.
The Ladies will receive the Juvenile Port-Folio as an entertaining companion, studious of their favour, by courtly manners and valuable information; and the Gentlemen will find in it, a manly and correct conduct, which we hope will not be unworthy of their regard; as, we shall ever be anxious to please the Polite, the Learned, the Witty and the Fair, with those views, we are emboldened to ask the patronage of the public.
“And, confident of praise, IF PRAISE BE DUE,
Trust without fear, to merit and to You.”
But Hawthorne was not the first to publish a “boys’ paper.” From a pamphlet on “Amateur Journalism,” issued by Will G. Snow of Meriden, Conn., to commemorate “An Association of Amateur Journalists of the Past,” called “The Fossils,” we learn that the earliest known American example is THE JUVENILE PORTFOLIO AND LITERARY MISCELLANY, an eight-page weekly, published from Oct. 17, 1812 to Dec. 7, 1816 by Thomas G. Condie, Jr., at 22 Carter’s Alley, opposite Stephen Girard’s Bank, Philadelphia, as per illustration herewith.
After the demise of Hawthorne’s periodical, amateur journalism seemingly went into a slumber twice as long as the famed sleep of Rip Van Winkle. However, in 1858, came the COOS HERALD of Lancaster, N. H., and by 1872, approximately 200 amateur gazettes were being turned out. At this period the juvenile journal considered as having the largest circulation, was OUR BOYS, started in Chicago in 1871 as a “four-pager,” and which by 1873 had evolved into a 16-page periodical almost as large as HARPER’S WEEKLY. In its prime it is said to have enjoyed a circulation of 10,000 copies per issue. Most of these sheets varied in size from 4 pages of 3 by 4 inch dimensions to 32 pages, measuring 10 by 12, the latter about the width of four ordinary newspaper columns. The average life of an amateur paper was estimated at 8 months, which period was ample to disgust most youthful journalists with the hardships of an editorial career.
In 1869, it was deemed advisable to organize an association for mutual acquaintance, social intercourse and to assist the cause of amateur journalism throughout the United States. A meeting was held in New York at the residence of Charles Scribner, from which evolved the National Amateur Press Association. Nellie Williams, a 13-year miss, is credited as being the first “female of the species.” She issued the PENFIELD EXTRA soon after the commencement of the Civil War. It had been planned to issue an amateur journal at the Centennial Exposition of 1876, and it was said that $5000 could have been raised without difficulty for that purpose, but Director General Goshorn would not allot space, claiming that the word “amateur” savored of infancy of mind.
When approximately half a century ago, George Harrison announced himself as a candidate for the presidency of the Western Amateur Press Association, his ambition did not meet with unanimous endorsement, if we consider the following outburst from a rival sheet:
“We smelt the smell of a dead rat when we received a copy of the WELCOME VISITOR, stating that Harrison is a candidate for the position of President of the Western Amateur Press Association, against Wyn Morris. We can inform the gentleman from Indiana that he is on the hull of a sinking ship, and when he grasps for the exalted position he has in view, it will melt before his eyes, and he will gradually sink into the waters of oblivion. George, dear George, you are left sure.”—AMATEUR IOWAN.
To this not over-delicate prognostication, the Harrison clan replied in kind as set forth below:
“THE IOWAN no doubt smelt its own smell, eh. As for Harrison being left in the race, we beg to inform our IOWA contemporary, in all probability it is entirely mistaken. No other candidate now in the field has a better chance than he.”—The WELCOME VISITOR.
Let us quote one more expression of opinion, as one contempt-orary to another:
“In our estimation nothing is so contemptible as to publish an article against an individual and then refuse to send him a copy of the paper containing the attack. The low-lived editors of the YOUNG DEMOCRAT should paste this in their hats.”—THE ACORN, St. Louis.
At the time Mr. Snow wrote his “Amateur Journalism” pamphlet, in 1922, the Fossil Library, consisting of 50,000 old amateur papers, was located at 150 Nassau St., New York. It has since been moved to the Franklin Memorial Institute, Philadelphia, where it will be permanently preserved under the care of the Curtis Family of SATURDAY EVENING POST fame. The second largest collection is owned by Truman J. Spencer, of Hamden, Conn., while Vincent B. Haggery of Jersey City, N. J., has one of the very few known files of the official organ of the National Amateur Press Association, embracing 63 years. Any one interested can obtain information as to other fine collections by writing to Edwin H. Smith, Librarian of the N.A.P.A., 524 N. Kenmore St., Philadelphia.
As to amateur journalists who subsequently reached exalted ranks as authors or publishers, Mr. Spencer has kindly furnished me with the following list:
FRANK B. NOYES, publisher Washington STAR, at age of 12 ran the TIMES.
THEODORE BODENWEIN (recently deceased), publisher of the New London DAY, at 17 ran the THAMES BUDGET.
E. H. STAIR, owner Detroit FREE PRESS, ran OUR BOYS AND GIRLS, in 1873.
JOSEPHUS DANIELS, publisher of the Raleigh NEWS AND OBSERVER, and ex-Secretary of the Navy, at age of 12 ran the CORNUCOPIA.
RICHARD W. GILDER, for many years editor of the CENTURY MAGAZINE, ran the REGISTER at 16.
CYRUS H. K. CURTIS, S. E. POST AND LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL publisher, conducted YOUNG AMERICA at the age of 14.
JOHN THAYER, well-remembered as publisher of EVERYBODY’S MAGAZINE and the SMART SET, when only 13, ran the PRINTER.
GEORGE B. M. HARVEY, one of the final publishers of HARPER’S WEEKLY, issued the DEMOCRAT when only 14.
There were many other eminent publishers that lack of space compels us to omit. And as for authors who became famous, Robert Louis Stevenson issued the SUNBEAM MAGAZINE when 16; Frank Baum who wrote “The Wizard of Oz” published the HOME JOURNAL in 1868; and Walter Pritchard, New York theatre critic, and author of numerous books on the drama, joined the amateur ranks at 12.
According to Mr. Spencer, amateur journalism still exists and continues to hold a fascination for many youths of today. From the speculative standpoint, however, there is at present no active demand for an oldtime collection thereof, although probably some individual with an ample purse and a nostalgia for youth, would be happy to possess one, and pay well for it. But who and where he is, it will take a wiser person than the editor of this publication, to identify.
Collectors of this interesting phase of Americana, will look forward with pleasurable anticipation to the publication of a book entitled “History of Amateur Journalism,” on which Truman J. Spencer has been working for years. The outline of contents will comprise, DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION ... THE PIONEERS ... EXCHANGING AND ORGANIZING ... THE NATIONAL AMATEUR PRESS ASSOCIATION ... RIVAL ORGANIZATIONS ... SECTIONAL AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ... LITERATURE AND BOOKS ... THE FOSSILS ... APPENDIX. Full information as to the date of publication, price, etc., can be obtained by writing to Truman J. Spencer, 2525 Whitney Ave., Hamden, Conn.
The famous rooming house at 61 Washington Square, N. Y., conducted for more than fifty years by Mme. Katherine Branchard, and since her decease in 1937, by her daughter-in-law, is no more. During their years of struggle it was a haven of repose for Willa Cather, Frank Norris, Gelett Burgess, Theodore Dreiser and Adelina Patti. After their departure from the Branchard House, which incidentally is over 100 years old, they wrote her letters from all parts of the world, and these should produce some good autographic material.
Mrs. Adelaide M. Faron, of the Walt Whitman Society of America, and Librarian of the Hempstead Library, Hempstead, Long Island, N. Y., recently held at the Adelphia College, Garden City, N. Y., an exhibition of rare items and newly discovered manuscripts pertaining to the “good gray poet”.
Here is a little good advice from that past master of sheet music knowledge, Wm. McDevitt, 2079 Sutter St., San Francisco. In his very entertaining monthly called BOOK-COLLECTING (50 cents a year) he says:—“In buying first editions of old songs, you will be safer in most cases if the sheet music doesn’t contain ads on the back cover; you will generally do well to distrust copies with the copyright line on front apparently worn out with repeated printings.”
The large mass of propaganda from both foreign and domestic pressure groups is being collected and classified by the Carnegie Library of Washington and the Washington and Lee University of Lexington, Va.
The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C., has acquired a collection of photographs of real Wild West Indians, made by John K. Hillers, 66 years ago.
RICHARD S. WORMSER
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