Godey's Lady's Book (Philadelphia, PA)

L. A. Godey founded the Lady's Book in 1830, in Philadelphia, PA. In 1839, he merged it with the Ladies Magazine of Boston, retaining the capable editorial hand of Mrs. S. J. B. Hale. The name of the magazine was then changed to Godey's Lady's Book, and under that name it continued until 1892, when the name became simply Godey's Magazine. For much of its run, particuarly before Godey's death in 1878, it was among the most popular and successful magazines of its day, and it made a nice fortune for Mr. Godey. Although the magazine was noted for its wholesome fare, and its strict avoidance of such unsavory topics as politics, it published one of Poe's finest horror stories, “The Cask of Amontillado”, and in the same year, 1846, Poe's highly controversial series on “The Literati of New York City.”

Full Title: The Lady's Book   (1830-1839) Godey's Lady's Book and Ladies American Magazine   (1840-1843) Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book   (1844-1848) Godey's Lady's Book   (1848-1854) Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine   (1854-1883) Godey's Lady's Book   (1883-1892) Godey's Magazine   (1892-1898)

Issued: Vols. I-CXXXVII (July 1830 - August 1898)

Editor(s): Mrs. Sarah J. Hale

Publisher(s): Louis Antoine Godey

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Issued in illustrated paper wrappers, generally a yellow or tan color. Most surviving copies were accumulated into full volumes, and rebound in cloth or leather.

There are many copies of both Godey's Lady's Book, although early issues, and copies of Poe-related issues in the original paper wrappers are quite rare.