Godey's Lady's Book
Godey's Lady's Book was a 19th-century American monthly women's magazine. It began publication in 1830 as The Lady's Book. "Godey's" was added to the title about 1840. It was also known as Godey's Magazine. It was published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Louis Antoine Godey.
| Editor | Sarah Josepha Hale |
|---|---|
| Categories | Women's magazine |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Circulation | 150,000 (in 1860) |
| Publisher | Louis Antoine Godey |
| Founder | Louis Antoine Godey |
| Year founded | 1830 |
| First issue | July 1830 (as The Lady's Book) |
| Final issue | August 1898 |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Language | English |
In 1836, Godey bought the Boston-based American Ladies' Magazine, and merged it with his own magazine. Sarah Josepha Hale became the literary editor. Contents included recipes, etiquette, health advice, fiction, poetry, fashions, household tips, exercises, moral instruction, etc. The monthly fashion plates were hand-colored by 150 women. Unusual for the times, the magazine's contents were copyrighted.
Subscriptions dropped off during the American Civil War, though the magazine was careful not to mention politics, war, or other divisive or controversial topics. Public interest in the magazine declined after Godey and Hale retired. The magazine was absorbed by Puritan in 1898.
Godey's Lady's Book Media
Cover from June 1867 issue
An 1859 fashion plate from Godey's Lady's Book showing crinoline fashions
Queen Victoria style of Christmas tree 1848, a picture adapted for Godey's Lady's Book, December 1850
