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.
[Illustration: RICHARD S. WORMSER
_Books_]
RARE OUT OF PRINT
22 WEST 48TH STREET, NEW YORK
_Telephone_ _Cable Address_
BRYANT 9-9276 BOOKWORM, NEW YORK