Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “Prospectus of the Penn Magazine,” Franklin Telegraph and Democratic Advertiser (Chambersburg, PA), December 7, 1840, third series vol. 2, no. 37, p. 3, col. 6

Since resigning the conduct of the Southern Literary Messenger, at the commencement of its third year, I have constantly held in view the establishment of a Magazine which should retain some of the chief features of that journal, abandoning the rest. Delay, however, has been occasioned by a variety of causes, and not until now have I felt fully prepared to execute the intention.

In respect to the general features of the Penn Magazine, a very few words here will suffice. Upon matters of very grave moment, it will leave the task of instruction in better hands. Its aim, chiefly, shall be to please — and this through means of versatility, originality and pungency.

To the mechanical execution of the work the greatest attention will be given which such a matter can require. In this respect, it is proposed to surpass, by very much, the ordinary Magazine style. The form will nearly resemble that of the Knickerbocker. The paper will be equal to that of the North American Review. The pictoral embellishments will be numerous, and by the leading artists of the country, but will be only introduced in the necessary illustration of the text.

The Penn Magazine will be published in Philadelphia on the first of each month, and form, half yearly, a volume of about five hundred pages. The price will be $5 per annum, payable in advance, or upon the receipt of the first number, which will be issued on the 1st of January, 1841. Letters addressed to the Editor and Proprietor,

EDGAR A. POE.

PHILADELPHIA.

Nov. 30, 1840.