Old Magazines Online Free – Vintage Magazine Archive

American Magazine – Old Magazines Online Free

Vol 1-99 (1876-1925)

New York

The American Magazine was founded in 1906 as a continuation of a failed publication purchased from publishing mogul Miriam Leslie. It began as Frank Leslie’s Popular Monthly in 1876 and went through two more name changes prior to 1906. When new management took over in 1906, highly respected muckraking journalists Ray Stannard Baker, Lincoln Steffens and Ida M. Tarbell left McClure’s (also found on this web page) for American Magazine. Baker used the pseudonym David Grayson (but sometimes also used his own name). Besides social issues, American Magazine also focused on human interest stories and fiction. – information from Wikipedia. The American magazine 1920s, 1910s, 1900s. Old magazines online free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.

The American Mercury – Old Magazines Online Free

1924-1960

New York

An American magazine published from 1924 to 1981; this online magazine archives has pdf issues through the 1950s. It was founded as the brainchild of H. L. Mencken and drama critic George Jean Nathan. The magazine featured writing by some of the most important writers in the United States through the 1920s and 1930s. After a change in ownership in the 1940s, the magazine attracted conservative writers. A second change in ownership a decade later turned the magazine into a virulently anti-Semitic publication. It was published monthly in New York City. The magazine went out of business in 1981, having spent the last 25 years of its existence in decline and controversy.” – Wikipedia. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download.

American Review of Reviews – Old Magazines Online Free

Vol 2 (1890) – Vol 15 (1897)

New York

Known at various times as the American Monthly Review of Reviews and Review of Reviews, but not to be confused with its British counterpart, also entitled Review of Reviews. According to a profile in Wikipedia, the American Review of Reviews “…represented the views and concerns of participants in the trans-Atlantic culture of progressive reform…”, and is “…one of the best primary sources on American reform between 1890 and 1920, providing not only a panoramic view of the range of reformers’ interests, but also the ties between British and American progressives.” Old magazines online free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazines archive online.

Arthur’s Home Magazine – Old Magazines Online Free

1851-1897

Philadelphia

A monthly journal founded by publisher Timothy Shay Arthur. Aimed at women, it contained fiction, poetry, non-fiction articles, fashion, and more. Free old magazines download. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive.

Century – Old Magazines Online Free

Vol 1 (1870 – Vol 114 (1927)

New York

The Century Magazine was first published in the United States in 1881 by The Century Company of New York City. It was the successor of Scribner’s Monthly Magazine (not to be confused with Scribner’s Magazine) and ceased publication in 1930. It gave much space to illustrated articles on history, and to literary criticism, fiction, poetry, literature, and current affairs. It reached its peak in circulation in the 1890s, when it was the largest periodical in the country. This was followed by a gradual loss of 90% of its subscribers by 1930. -info from Wikipedia. Century Magazine free online. 19th century American magazines. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download.

Chatterbox – Old Magazines Online Free

1872-1923

London, UK: Wells, Gardner, Darton

Chatterbox was founded in 1866 by British clergyman John Erskine Clarke as a weekly ‘paper’ for children of both genders at around their pre-teens. Clarke edited Chatterbox until 1902, and publication continued until 1955. Each issued contains a mix of short stories, serialized novels, and nonfiction pieces. Issues also contained numerous drawn illustrations. – Info from Victorian Voices.net. Vintage magazine archive. Old magazines online free. Free old magazines download.

Collection of 19th Century British Periodicals – Old Magazines Online Free

438 Items; ca. 1806-1899

This free online collection at HathiTrust contains long runs of a number of 19th Century periodicals, including a few, like “The Gentleman’s Magazine”, that also have individual entries on this page. Vintage magazine archive. Old magazines online free. Free old magazines download.

Collier’s National Weekly – Old Magazines Online Free

1901-1923

1908-1918

1926-1957 at UNZ

The volumes below are at Internet Archive

New York

Collier’s magazine was an American weekly, founded in 1888 by Peter Fenelon Collier, who was a pioneer in investigative journalism. For decades it had a reputation for being politically progressive, and became by 1919 one of the most popular magazines in the U.S. It reached a circulation of 2.8 million by 1946, but began a decline in the early ’50s. It changed to a bi-weekly in August 1953, and ceased publication in January 1957. – from Wikipedia. Colliers magazine back issues. 1950s magazine pdf. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive. Old Magazines Online Free.

Cosmopolitan – Old Magazines Online Free

Cosmopolitan Magazine Website

2015-2016

1886-1961 (B&W)

1886-1925

U.S. – Hearst Communications

Cosmopolitan began in NY City as a family magazine, in 1886. By the early 1890s it was a leading fiction magazine, with stories by top authors. William Randolph Hearst bought Cosmopolitan in 1905, after which it continued to feature top fiction authors as well as investigative pieces and other nonfiction.
In 1965 Helen Gurley Brown became chief editor, and radically changed Cosmopolitan. A feminist who wished to erase the stigma of unmarried women having sex, ‘Cosmo’ was transformed into a racy, contentious, and highly successful magazine for single career women. – info from Wikipedia. Old Cosmopolitan magazines, Cosmopolitan back issues online free. Old magazines online free. 1950s magazine pdf. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download.

Country Life – Old Magazines Online Free

1901-1927

New York

The magazine began in 1901 with a target audience of people living in rural America, but changed its focus to city dwellers looking for ideas on country living. The 1904 issues are titled: Country Life in America; a magazine for the home-maker, the country gentleman, the farmer, the gardener, the nature-student, and the lover of clean athletics and sports. In 1911 it was titled Country Life in America, a magazine for the home-maker in the country. In 1917 the name changed to The New Country Life. It ceased production in 1942. Vintage magazine archives. Old Magazines Online Free. Free old magazines download.

Everybody’s Magazine – Old Magazines Online Free

Vol 1 – 49 (1899-1923)

1899-1929 at Internet Archive (Black & White)

NY: North American Company

According to the Magazine’s entry in Wikipedia, Everybody’s Magazine was founded by Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker in 1899, who had little role in its operations. It published a mix of non-fiction and fiction. In 1903, with a circulation of 150,000, it was sold to a group headed by Erman Jesse Ridgeway. A series of muckraking articles called “Frenzied Finance” in 1904 boosted circulation to over 500,000, and it stayed above that mark for many years, while changing its content to mainly fiction. Magazines from 1900s 1920s. Vintage magazines archive online. Old magazines online free. Old magazines free download.

The Gentleman’s Magazine – Old Magazines Online Free

Issues 1731-1907

London, UK: Edward Cave & others

The first English periodical to be called a “magazine”. Founder Edward Cave’s “innovation was to create a monthly digest of news and commentary on any topic the educated public might be interested in, from commodity prices to Latin poetry. It carried original content from a stable of regular contributors, as well as extensive quotations and extracts from other periodicals and books. It was read throughout the English-speaking world and continued to flourish through the 18th century and much of the 19th century under a series of different editors and publishers.” – Wikipedia
The collection at this HathiTrust link appears to contain a complete run, from the magazine’s founding in 1731 to the end of general publication in 1907. The numbering of volumes at the link is irregular: Vol 1 is the 5th item, Vol 2 is about 25th, etc. Indexes are in the list. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download. Old magazine archives online free.

Godey’s Lady’s Book – Old Magazines Online Free

Vols 1-136 (1830-1898)

Philadelphia

This monthly was the most widely circulated magazine in the U.S. in the period before the Civil War, reaching a circulation of 150,000 in 1860 despite being more expensive than other monthlies. It was published by Louis A. Godey in Philadelphia from 1830 to 1878. Each issue contained poetry, articles and engravings created by prominent artists and writers. Also recipes submitted by readers, illustrations of current clothing fashions, crafts, family activities, games, and much else about daily life in 19th century America. A similar magazine, ‘Peterson’s, is also found on this webpage. Godey’s Lady’s Book. Vintage magazines archive online. Free old magazines download. Old magazines online free.

Harper’s Weekly: A Journal of Civilization – Old Magazines Online Free

1859-1916

New York: Harper’s Magazine Co.

An American political magazine based in New York City. Published by Harper & Brothers from 1857 until 1916, it featured foreign and domestic news, fiction, essays on many subjects, and humor, alongside illustrations. It carried extensive coverage of the American Civil War. The publisher also produced a monthly magazine. – Wikipedia. Old Harper’s magazines. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download.

Hearst’s Magazine – Old Magazines Online Free

1915-1924 (vols 27-46)

1913-1914 (vols 23-25)

The World Today 1902-1912 (vols 3-22)

Chicago and New York

“Hearst’s Magazine was a 1912 renaming of ‘The World Today’, which Hearst had acquired in 1911. It continued the volume numbering of that periodical, and thus began with Volume 22. In 1922, the title shifted to “Hearst’s International”. All content of this serial is in the public domain in the US. In the mid-1920s, Hearst’s International combined publication with Cosmopolitan, which eventually effectively absorbed it.” – The Online Books Page. Vintage magazines online. Old magazines free download. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive.

The Leisure Hour: an illustrated magazine for home reading – Old Magazines Online Free

1852-1905

London, UK: Religious Tract Society

“A British general-interest periodical of the Victorian era which ran weekly from 1852 to 1905. It was the most successful of several popular magazines published by the Religious Tract Society, which produced Christian literature for a wide audience. Each issue mixed multiple genres of fiction and factual stories, historical and topical.” – Wikipedia. Old magazines from 1800s. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download. Old Magazines Online Free.

Leslie’s Weekly – Old Magazines Free Online PDF

1855-1922

New York

Originally called Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, this is one of several magazines founded by illustrator and publisher Frank Leslie. Well-known for the quality of its illustrations, this popular national publication averaged about 16 pages per issue. Old magazines from 19th century. Old magazines online free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive online.

Liberty – Old Magazines Online Free

1925-1947

NY: McCormick-Patterson et al.

“An American weekly, general-interest magazine. Launched in 1924 by McCormick-Patterson, the publisher until 1931, when it was taken over by Bernarr Macfadden until 1941. At one time it was said to be “the second greatest magazine in America,” ranking behind The Saturday Evening Post in circulation. It featured contributions from some of the biggest politicians, celebrities, authors, and artists of the 20th century. The contents of the magazine provide a unique look into popular culture, politics, and world events. – Wikipedia. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download. Old magazines online free.

Life Magazine – Old Magazines Online Free

1883-1927

1936-1972

Chicago

Life was published as a weekly magazine from 1883 to 1972. It was initially a humor and general interest / light entertainment magazine, similar to the British magazine Puck. In 1936 it was acquired by Henry Luce, who changed the focus to news and particularly to photojournalism. Life Magazines 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, Life Magazines 1800s. 1950s magazine pdf. Old magazines online free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.

Newsweek – Old Magazines Online Free

Magazine Website

1933-2008

U.S. – Newsweek

“This weekly news magazine covers the national and global news front through news, commentary and analysis. It includes national and international affairs, business, lifestyle, society, the arts, politics, the economy, personal business, the Washington scene, health, science and technology.” – Newsweek Magazine. Magazines from 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, etc. 1950s magazine pdf. Free old magazines download. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive.

Niles’ Weekly Register – Old Magazines Online Free

Vol 1 (1811) – Vol 75 (1849)

Baltimore, MD

“Containing political, political, historical, geographical, scientifical, statistical, economical, and biographical documents, essays and facts; together with notices of the arts and manufactures, and a record of the events of the times.”
Vols 5, 7-9, 15-16, 23, 38 and 43 contain supplements.
Hezekiah Niles (1777-1839) was the editor until 1836, when he was succeeded by his son, William Ogden Niles. Jeremiah Hughes bought the Register in 1839 and edited it until it was discontinued in 1849. Vintage magazines online archive.

“… in the first half of the 19th century, the Register was as well-known as the New York Times and Washington Post are known today. From 1811 to 1849, it was the principal window through which many Americans looked out on their country and the world. The scope of the work was immense, its circulation was large (the largest in the United States, by some accounts) … ” – W.H. Earle, “Niles Register, 1811-1849: Window on the World” Website (defunct). Old Magazines Online Free. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download.

The Nineteenth Century and After – Old Magazines Online Free

1921-1927

London: Henry S. King & Co.

Originally known at ‘The Nineteenth Century’, this British magazine was renamed ‘The Nineteenth Century and After’ in the 1901 issue. Free old magazines from 1900s. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.

Pan American – Free Old Magazines Download

Vol 6 (1908) – Vol 40 (1927)

Washington, D.C.

The Pan-American Magazine and New World Review was a monthly that was founded in 1900 and edited by W. W. Razor in London. It contained economic news and travel articles about South and Central America. Old Magazine from 1910s and 1920s. Vintage magazine archive. Old Magazines Online Free. Free old magazines download.

Peterson’s – Free Old Magazines Download

Vols 13 – 100 (1848-1891)

1842-1897 at Internet Archive (Black & White)

New York

The owners of the ‘Saturday Evening Post’ began publishing ‘The Ladies National Magazine’ in 1842 as a less expensive alternative to the popular magazine ‘Godey’s Lady’s Book’ (also on this webpage). The name was changed in 1855 to ‘Peterson’s Magazine’, and it continued under that title until 1892, ceasing publication in 1898. Magazines from 1800s, 19th century magazines. Old magazines online free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.

Review of Reviews – Old Magazines Online Free

New York

See the American Review of Reviews above on this page.

Saturday Evening Post – Old Magazines Online Free

Magazine Website

1899-1927

1821-1961 at Internet Archive (Black & White)

U.S.

“The Saturday Evening Post is an American magazine, currently published six times a year. It was issued weekly under this title from 1897 until 1963, then every two weeks until 1969. From the 1920s to the 1960s, it was one of the most widely circulated and influential magazines within the American middle class, with fiction, non-fiction, cartoons and features that reached millions of homes every week. The magazine declined in readership through the 1960s, and in 1969 The Saturday Evening Post folded for two years before being revived as a quarterly publication with an emphasis on medical articles in 1971. As of the late 2000s, The Saturday Evening Post is published six times a year by the Saturday Evening Post Society, which purchased the magazine in 1982. The magazine was redesigned in 2013.” – Wikipedia. Magazines from 1920s, 1900s old magazines. 1950s magazine pdf. Old Magazines Online Free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.

Saturday Night – Free Old Magazines Online

1887-1927

Toronto, Canada

“Saturday Night was a Canadian magazine founded in 1887. Up until ceasing publication in 2005, it was Canada’s oldest general interest magazine. When first launched, the magazine was a weekly broadsheet newspaper about public affairs and the arts before expanding into general interest.” – Wikipedia. Old Magazines Online Free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.

St. Nicholas – Old Magazines Online Free

Vol 1 (1874) – Vol 53 (1926)

New York

“One of the best and most popular magazines for young people. Includes well-illustrated short stories, series and articles on biography, history and travel, outdoor life and nature study. The articles are almost always interesting, wholesome and well written. Even the special pages of pictures, rhymes and short stories for small children are above the average merit of most similar attempts.” -F. K. Walter, Periodicals for the Small Library, ALA 1918. Free old magazines download. Old Magazines Online Free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.

Scribner’s – Old Magazines Online Free

1887-1927

1887-1938 at Internet Archive (Black & White)

New York

Scribner’s Magazine was produced by the publisher Charles Scribner’s Sons from 1887 to 1939, which also produced Scribner’s Monthly (later renamed Century Illustrated, and found on this web page). Scribner’s Magazine was launched to compete with Harper’s Monthly and Atlantic Monthly (both are found on this web page). Editor Edward Bulingame hired top artists to illustrate it, including Howard Pyle, Maxfield Parrish and Frederic Remington, and the magazine became known for the outstanding quality of its many illustrations. Many well-known writers contributed, including Jacob Riis, Theodore Roosevelt and John Galsworthy.- from information in the Wikipedia entry. Free old magazines download. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive.

The Spectator – Old Magazines Online Free

The Spectator Website

1828-1927 at Internet Archive (Black & White)

London, UK

The oldest weekly magazine in the world, founded in 1828 by Scottish reformer Robert Stephen Rintoul. ” – Wikipedia. It still exists. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive. Old magazines online free.

The World Today – Old Magazines Online Free

‘The World Today’ was acquired by William Randolph Hearst and renamed in 1912 ‘Hearst’s Magazine’. There is an entry for Hearst’s Magazine above on this webpage, which also contains most issues of ‘The World Today’. Free old magazines download. Old Magazines Online Free. Vintage magazine archive.

The World’s Work – Old Magazines Online Free

Vol 1 (1900) – Vol 54 (1927)

1900-1932 at Internet Archive (Black & White)

New York

“Discusses all kinds of current events and current tendencies in articles by recognized authorities and in well written editorial comments. The social development of the country receives as much attention as its material prosperity. Well illustrated and popular in style. One of the four periodicals most widely used in school work and very useful for club and debate work.”-F. K. Walter, Periodicals for the Small Library, ALA 1918. Old magazines online free. Vintage magazine archive. Free old magazines download.

Historic Photos from Around the World

Collected links here at Century Past to selected photography collections from the late 1800s & early 1900s in countries around the world. Old Magazines Online Free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.

Magazine Articles from 100 Years Ago

A collection of links here at Century Past to articles in popular magazines around the beginning of the 20th Century, on a variety of topics. Old Magazines Online Free. Free old magazines download. Vintage magazine archive.