[J. Passmore Edwards, philanthropist, and ‘The Biographical Magazine’.] Autograph Letter Signed from ‘William Stevens. / Ed. of Biog. Mag.’ to ‘J M Lamb’, discussing his suggestion and the parlous state of the magazine.

An interesting item, casting light on Victorian London publishing of periodical literature. For Passmore Edwards, to whom London is indebted for innumerable public libraries (many now closed), see his entry in the Oxford DNB. ‘The Biographical Magazine’ was founded in 1852, and the first two volumes were published by ‘J. Passmore Edwards, 2, Horse-shoe Court, Ludgate Hill’. Vols 3 to 5 were published by the London firm Partridge & Oakey, after which it appears to have ceased publication (in the year of this letter?), although it may have continued for a few years as ‘Lives of the Illustrious’. Some sources name Edwards as the editor, but this item disproves that claim. The preface to the first volume reproduces the prospectus referred to in the letter. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. Fifty-seven lines of neatly-written text. In good condition, lightly aged, with the blank reverse of the second leaf adhering to a brown paper panel cut from the leaf of an album. He begins by explaining that he has delayed replying to the recipient’s suggestion until he ‘might be able to give some decisive answer’. ‘The propriety of such a monthly obituary as you propose has been several times under discussion, but the cons have always prevailed over the pros’. He expected to have met with the publishers the previous day, ‘to decide some little matters, & then proposed to introduce the subject again; but something interfering then, I must take another opportunity’. After setting out the ‘strongest objection’, and observing that the magazine sells better in volume-form ‘than the numbers’, he continues: ‘We are the more chary of any change as our circulation is at present very small. The Magazine has not had a fair trial before the public & is in many places I find absolutely unknown; this may in part account for the want of success.’ He has been ‘attempting to inaugurate a system of advertising’, and if ‘finances would allow’, feels that it would be ‘a great improvement to introduce also a portrait of each individual, & perhaps afterwards other historical illustrations. At this I intend to aim.’ He is enclosing ‘an old prospectus or two. If you have an opportunity of introducing the Magazine anywhere, they may be of service. I have nothing more recent at hand just now.’ He ends with thanks, and an apology for ‘the hurry with which this is written’.