Introduction
The Demorest's Family Magazine was a late 19th Century women’s monthly magazine published in New York by William Jennings Demorest. Valdosta State University’s special collection comprises issues published from 1879-1897. Advertisements in these issues were aimed at women, the primary readers of the magazine. Advertisements covered many topics, but this exhibit will focus on common everyday-use items for families including Fashion, Household Goods & Services, and Miscellaneous. Advertisements were frequently aimed at homemakers who would often purchase items or encourage family purchases based on these ads, and they encouraged customers to mention the magazine when writing in for a purchase. Part of the magazine’s Business Notices section, these ads give insight into the daily lives of late 19th Century families in America and are of historical and anthropological interest.
Demorest's Family Magazine Issue Cover Sample
This is the cover of the December 1879 issue of Demorest's Family Magazine. The magazine would often start with a story or an article. Ads were featured by themselves in the final pages of the issue early on in the magazine's publication, but later would also be interwoven throughout the articles.
Guide Information
This guide was created by VSU Graduate Students in Summer 2024 as a part of the HIST 6215/MLIS 7998: Public History Virtual Exhibit Project.
For more information about online exhibits or the collections contained in the VSU Archives, contact Archives and Special Collections
