Social networking in the 19th century. Today we have many avenues to socialize and share common interests with our peers. Here is one example of how young women and girls shared an interest by starting up a club. Was this a way for a group of girls to afford an issue of the latest 1860's fashions and work-basket articles?
Godey’s Magazine, 1861
MAKE UP YOUR CLUBS.—Remember that the Lady’s Book is the
best work for ladies published in this country. We have more than one thousand private letters testifying
to this fact, and the press throughout the country is unanimous in saying that
the Lady’s Book is the best magazine of its kind in this or any other country.
The difference is the club price of the Lady’s book and that of other magazines
is only a few cents, and for those few cents you get nearly one0third more
reading and engravings, besides other more expensive embellishments that a
low-priced magazine cannot afford to give. Clubs must be for the Lady’s Book
alone, with one exception, and that is “Arthur’s Home Magazine.” One or more of
that work can be introduced in a club in place of the Lady’s Book, if desired.
Any person,
with a very little trouble, can get up a club for the Book; we have frequently
been so informed by ladies—the work is so popular. It is but to call and get a
subscription. Clubs are always in time, as we are able to supply numbers from
the beginning of the year; yet we like them sent in soon, to know how many we
shall print. Remember, that a work with 150,000 subscribers can give five times
as much as a work with only half that number, and the embellishments can also
be made of a very superior character.
Our terms
are made plain and explicit, so that they may be easily understood. We are
often asked to throw in an extra copy. In no instance can this be done, as our
terms are as low to clubs that is cannot be afforded. A shopkeeper would look
amazed, if a purchaser should ask him to throw in an extra yard because she had
purchased twelve. And yet we are asked to add any extra copy because twelve
have been ordered. It cannot be done.
ELEGANT PREMIUMS TO GETTERS-UP OF CLUBS!
SEE BELOW.
Arthur’s Home Magazine for 1861.
THE LADIES’ HOME MAGAZINE.
******
Peterson’s Magazine 1861
OUR PREMIUM ENGRAVING FOR CLUBS.—Our old friends know that
we do not give people premiums for subscribing to “Peterson.” We hold that
every subscriber gets his or her money’s worth in the Magazine. But we have
always made a practice to give a premium to anybody getting up a club. The
premium for 1861, is, we think, the most desirable we have ever offered. It is,
as described in the Prospectus, an engraving of the largest size for framing;
is done in line and stipple; and is one of the best works of the late Thomas
Illman. It has never before been published. In no other way can it be had
except from “Peterson.” So get up a club, if you wish this costly affair! To
those who prefer an Album, we will, as stated in the Prospectus, send an Album,
instead foe the engraving, if they write for it. Or we will send $1.25 worth of
T.B. Peterson &Brothers’ publications.
