Download Vintage Mags: Historic News & Politics

DeBow’s Review

1846-1870 (Internet Archive)

1846-1869 (Univ. of Michigan)

New Orleans

An important magazine of the southern U.S. prior to the American Civil War of 1861-1865. It contained agricultural reports, statistical data, and economic analysis, literature, political opinion, and commentary. The magazine took an increasingly pro-Southern perspective in the late 1850s and early 1860s, and defended slavery.

Harper’s Weekly: A Journal of Civilization

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, from correspondents in the field. The publisher also produced a monthly magazine.

Illustrated London News

1842-1961 (B&W)

London, UK

First published on 14 May 1842, this was the world’s first illustrated weekly news magazine. For graphics, the newspaper relied entirely on a team of illustrators until it began using photos about 1890. May have been England’s most popular news weekly throughout the 19th century.

Leslie’s Weekly

1855-1922 (B&W)

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.

Liberty Magazine

1925-1948 (Assorted)

1924-1929

NY: McCormick-Patterson et al.

American weekly general-interest magazine. Launched in 1924. At one time it was said to be “the second greatest magazine in America,” ranking behind The Saturday Evening Post in circulation.

Life Magazine

1883-1930

1883-1935 (B&W)

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.

Newsweek

Magazine Website

1933-2008 – at Century Past

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.

Niles’ Weekly Register

1811-1849

Baltimore, MD

Contains political, historical, geographical, scientific, statistical, economical, and biographical documents, essays and facts; and a record of the events of the times. It was discontinued in 1849.

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, and the circulation may have been the largest in the U.S.

The Nineteenth Century and After

1893-1930

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.

The Spectator

The Spectator Website

1828-1961 (B&W)

London, UK

The oldest weekly magazine in the world, founded in 1828 by Scottish reformer Robert Stephen Rintoul. It continues to be published today.

Time Magazine

Time Magazine Website

1923-2024 – Time Archives at Century Past

U.S.

Still today one of America’s most popular current events weeklies.

Collection of 19th Century British Periodicals

ca. 1806-1899

This curated collection of vintage magazines at HathiTrust contains long runs of a number of 19th Century periodicals. Over 400 items.