[PERIODICALS] KNIGHT, Charles (ed.)

The Penny Magazine - Vols. 1-5 (1832-1836)

London: The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, 1832-1836. Edition not stated. Quarto (29cm); half brown calf with marbled paper sides, gilt-stamped spine in six compartments w/ black labels; 389+510+511+504+516pp. Vol. 2 has a contemporary binding, w/ large portion of missing surface material from front panel, more prominent soiling, abrasions and wear, chipping, and bumps to extremities. Vols. 1 and 3 to 5 were rebound and show only mild surface wear, soiling and rubbing, with sunning and scattered wormholes to spines. All interiors have dampstains and foxing, creased pages, and intermittent biopredation and tears (some w/ repairs); generally sound and complete. Good or Better; Vol. 2 is just about Good.

In March of 1832, Charles Knight published the first issue of The Penny Magazine. As a project of The Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (SDUK), the magazine aligned with the organization's mission to distribute easily accessible, non-radical educational materials to working class Londoners. A new Magazine was published every week and featured wholesome articles on history, geography, natural science, and general trivia. Annuals (like these) compiled a year's worth of issues into one handsome volume, and were available for 7s 6d (about £25 today).

The Penny Magazine's 1d (about £0.25 today) price, plus copious wood-engraved illustrations initially made the publication very appealing to a broad audience. In a somewhat ironic twist, this low-cost magazine had very high production costs due to the number of illustrations. Not even a modest price increase (to 4d) could salvage the budget, and The Penny Magazine issued its last on October 31, 1847.

Price: $750.00

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