Starting with old magazines obtained from “discard” sales at our main public library many, many years ago, I found an interest in the ads and pictures and I still hang onto those 20s and 30s one full year hard-bound collections of magazines. Fascinated by the ads of household appliances and automobiles, it wasn’t until Wifey and I purchased a 1930s cottage style home that my interest in the old magazines turned to the décor’, plumbing fixture styles and color schemes of the era.
While Life, Look, Popular Mechanics, National Geographic and other famous magazines provide great pictures and attract buyers for their Coke, Campbell Kids, Corvette or Camel’s ads, it’s the harder to find issues that hold the thrill of the hunt these days for me. If a Country Gentleman, Ladies Home Journal, Home and Garden or Farm Journal come my way and are dated before 1940 I have a hard time passing them by. A great deal of that interest came from the graphic designers and artists that put pictures to the words and ads in each issue.
Not long ago I found a magazine that was new to my experience. Titled simply “KEN” these late thirties large format magazines appeared to be your typical photo of the stars, and news makers and sports photos with cartoons and great advertising. But with a more complete reading, its content revealed a very political and a sometimes controversial agenda. Later issues bore greatly reduced advertising for this magazine.
Among my all time favorites is Modern Priscilla. Designed for women sometime in the 1880s or 90s, 
the early issues contained few ads, and have less broad appeal, and I have generally passed on them because of high prices. (We understand advertising for female “devices” appeared in the 1890s and our copy of March 1911 offers a “White Cross Electric Vibrator.”) Teens issues were combined with Home Needlework Magazine and Everyday Housekeeping.
Now what would I find of interest in these old women’s pages? Well, for one thing the fashion of the day as pictured throughout these early editions. Starting with the clothes, hats and shoes, these dated copies give me insight into the age of photographs and post cards we sell, verifying the styles of the time.
Next are the products advertised, and there are tons of odd items, scores of brands you would recognize but might be befuddled by the old label. Ads show household products, labor saving devices and oddities. Furniture styles, and period décor change over time and having issues from several decades reveals these differences and increases our knowledge of what was sold when. And each issue features the type of graphics only produced in this time period, with such fresh faced lovelies gracing the covers and throughout the pages in ads and articles and fashion spreads.
Recently going through some old copies with my son-in-law, I had to comment several time that I’d love to find the type of items offered in the ads. Pictured also are things like china or flatware patterns, again the kind of items we offer at our antique mall booth. Advertising tins are collected universally and many tins or packages portrayed give clues to the age of the labels in a collection.
Then there are the ads themselves, many full page in color, perfect for framing, great for office décor many suitable for a child’s bedroom with whimsical themes. 
Most interesting and too many to picture are ads of name brands you will recognize. These include: Crisco, Campbell’s Soups (Kids), Fels-Naptha, J&P Coats, F.W.Woolworth, Montgomery Ward, Congoleum, Bon Ami, Bayer, Dromedary, Sani-Flush, Knox, Pyrex, Bakers Cocoa, Hoosier Ranges, Quaker Oats, 1847 Rogers Bros., Old Dutch Cleanser, Uneeda Biscuit (National Biscuit Co.), Columbia -Victor and Brunswick Phonographs, Heinz 57, Sealy, Colgate, Coca-Cola, Hoover, Van Camp’s, Mennen, Fairbanks Gold Dust, Borden’s and many, many more. I know some may find amusement in the stories and advice or help columns, but that too is the joy of old magazines.
Tags: Ken, Modern Priscilla, vintage magazines
Permalink | 13 Comments »
December 28th, 2008 at 6:47 PM
I am an historic reenactor and I am interested in magazines such as the Modern Priscilla to see what was popular at the time of my character. I portray Ellen Swallow Richards ( 1842-1911) who was the first woman to attend MIT in 1870. She went on to found home economics 100 years ago in 2009. She lived in Jamaica Plain, MA for over 35 years. The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is the name of the organization 100 years later.
December 28th, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Joyce,
Thank you for your interest in my post “Old Time Modern Priscilla”, Most of these magazines date from the 1910s to the 30s and while I have aquired a few very early ones, they are not as interesting pictoraly, in ads or articles.
In your alterego, I can understand the desire to emulate the clothing, accessories and hair styles of the period. Among publications, Modern Priscilla’s are easy to spot because of their graphic covers, but not plentiful, and I am always looking thru stacks of paper goods whereever I’m shopping. The selection of paper goods from before 1910, is very limited. Condition stops me from aquiring older copies, as does
outrageous prices. But I keep looking.
May I also suggest you check in with our blogger Deanna, for articles on vintage clothing.
The Dean
May 10th, 2009 at 3:05 PM
i have old modern priscillas i found in the attic….need help findin someone who wants them…you can call me at 440-452-5111
May 17th, 2010 at 9:54 AM
In moving I found a copy of a 1913 Modern Priscilla. Is there any value to it? I have no idea what to do with it.
Thanks,
Steve 319-364-4087
May 18th, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Steve,
What a coincidence, I just listed a 1911 copy in only fair condition on E-bay this morning at $9.95. That is the normal price I get for magazines of that age, unless they have special features or advertising and are in mint condition. In the case of magazines, age can be a two edged sword. Vintage magazines are often used for the graphics on the cover or the ads, with famous artist working in the 20s and 30s. Well known authors appeared with serialized novels or short stories in that same time period and still draw attention today. Full page color ads are often used for framed wall decor’ and add to the interest in these later issues. The weeklies (Look – Life) always had framable photos including movie stars. All that to say please don’t throw it out. It may not have great value, but I just hate to see any loss of paper. Here is how I started my listing “Modern Priscilla, like many of the vintage magazines gives us a view of the world one month at a time, showing the fashion, products and styles of everyday life as it was in it era.”
I don’t know whats in your issue but look through it and I hope you will see what insights can be gleamed from these old magazines.
July 9th, 2010 at 4:37 PM
I grew up with stacks of “Modern Priscilla” magazines throughout the attic. I have kept them, along with many cherished childhood memories. Most of mine are 1916-18. They all have Cream of Wheat adds in them as well as being in A+ condition. Which of these factors might make them any more collectable?
July 12th, 2010 at 7:19 AM
Marty,
Thank you for your response to my article on the magazine, Modern Priscilla. As for the collectibility of M.P., or any vintage magazine many factors add or subtract from the value, and one of the problems in setting a value is knowing what a buyer is looking for. First off, as you indicate, condition is important especially cover condition, and the main reason is for display of the cover art. Graphic full page ads inside especially in color are also used as flammable art works. C of W, as you note was common as was other national advertisers. Of course the age of your collection will add value, and more so if any have references and pictures related to the war. From my own experience, I have seen most issues for sale around the $5.00 mark, as most sellers have one or two copies at most, haven’t heard of the magazine and have it priced at the same as lots later editions of look or life. Yes, I see them at much higher prices in only fair condition, and then I see them on every succeeding visit to the same antique shop.
Best Regards
The Dean
September 13th, 2010 at 1:02 PM
I also love this magazine “The Modern Priscilla” I have August 1916 issue, I find it a treasure and so enjoyable to read. So glad to see others collect and save this type of magaine.
July 27th, 2011 at 3:07 PM
I am interested in a biography/autobiography of Anne Benson Muller who was an illustrator in the 1930′s-1950′s. She did make the cover of Pricilla at least once. She worked for Gutmann Publishing at one time. She often depicted sleeping infants/children with or without kittens and puppies. I am finding it so difficult to find anything about her. I find lithograph prints for sale but not much about her life.
July 29th, 2011 at 4:58 AM
Nancy,
While the work of Annie Benson Muller seems to be very popular, I too have found nothing relating to her personal history. Some of our old magazines contain a brief history of the cover artist, others don’t even mention the name, and unless you recognize the signature you’re never sure who the illustrator was.
My suggestion, check online, at antique stores or malls for magazines from the 1930′s & 40s to search for her cover work. With a great deal of luck you may find one with a history of the artist.
And check her first name spelling, I found it spelled with the “i”
Best of Luck,
The Dean
October 4th, 2011 at 1:43 PM
My great-grandmother worked for the magazine in the late teens till early twenties. She was ‘Aunt Priscilla’ and I believe she did some art work. I am looking for copies that she worked in, but only know it was around sometime between 1911 – 1918. Her name was Mary Alethea Warren Shaw, Shaw being her married name. If you have any suggestions, please contact me. aletheajd@att.net
October 26th, 2011 at 8:45 AM
Alethea,
Email problems kept me from replying sooner. I will check my stock for “Aunt Priscilla” and email if I find anything. Give me a couple of weeks, and if I have any mentions I will get back to you.
The Dean
January 22nd, 2012 at 11:37 AM
To the Dean,
I have just come into possession of the May 1915 issue. I am willing to part with it. If you have any interested parties please let me know.
Thanks,
James