Description

[029202] (Americana – 19 th century - Literary History - Periodical - The Port Folio). The Port Folio, A Monthly Magazine, Devoted to Useful Science, the Liberal Arts, Legitimate Criticism, and Polite Literature; Conducted By Oliver Oldschool, Esq. Assisted By a Confederacy of Men of Letters. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Bradford & Inskeep, 1809. First Edition 552 + 88 pages; with useful index at front. This monthly periodical was considered the foremost American literary publication of its kind, with reviews, poetry, essays on various topics, world and domestic news, travel, scientific discoveries and speculations, law & politics, biographies and obituaries. In 1809, it was under the editorship of Joseph Dennie (1768 – 1812) An essayist & critic: “…Despite his serious doubts about the fate of the country, Dennie began in 1801 the work that would make him famous in his time. In January of that year he published the inaugural issue of Port Folio , which became under his guidance the most influential and longest-lasting literary journal of its time. Styling himself Oliver Oldschool, Esq., Dennie used the magazine to praise Goldsmith-like “simplicity” in style and to express contempt for the language of common people and their leader Jefferson… Although deliberately out of step with his times, Dennie nonetheless stayed in print by cultivating a theory of taste that appealed to a continuing Anglophilia among the literary elite…” (Jeffrey H. Richards in the ANB) Bound volume includes the Prospectus & issues for Vol. I of the “New Series” ie., Vol. VII January, 1809 No. 1, February, March, April (misbound after) May, June and Vol. II July, 1809 No. 1 July. Embellished with various engravings, including a frontispiece of the Port Folio open on the globe of the Earth; Buttermilk Falls by G. Murray; a portrait of William Penn by Edwin; Mr. Brides Machine for gunning, carding & Spinning Cotton at one operation by B. Tanner after J. Cist; View of the Botanic Garden at Elgin, in the vicinity of the City of New York by Leney after Simond; a portrait of Gen. Anthony Wayne by Edwin; a profile likeness (silhouette) of Duncan McIntosh; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, B. Tanner after J.J. Barralet; two ‘fashion plates,’ Evening Dresses in Jan’y 1809 and Full Dress; and a plate of the Egypto-classical Monument to Sir Ralph Abercrombie erected in St. Pauls Cathedral, by B. Tanner after Westmacott (Half of the plate gone). Articles include a review of Freycinet “A Voyage of Discovery…”; notice of the College of Medicine of Maryland; Vindication of Machiavelli; an Account of Mineral Waters; Memoirs of Hayti; Essay on the Nature and Use of Wine; ‘Sporting Intelligence’ and Travels in a series of Letters from Geneva and France. Poetry on the eruption of Mt. Etna, Ode on Spring, On singing the pathetic Ballad of Mozart’s “Vergiss me Micht”; Verses written on beholding the miniature of Miss Mary C-, a lady whom the writer has never seen. Printed by Smith & Maxwell. Approx. 5 1/2" x 8 3/4" size; bound in paper covered boards, leather spine, gilt spine titles and simple line-rules. Some edge & tips wear to the binding; some foxing and spotting; in good condition.