by Raymond Pun
Librarian in NYPL's DeWitt Wallace Periodicals Division
In 1883, Ladies' Home Journal was founded as a supplement to Tribune and Farmer (1879), a four page-weekly magazine that covered flower arrangement and childcare tips under Cyrus Curtis and his wife Louisa Knapp.
The Seven Sisters: Many have heard of them without even realizing it. They were the quintessential women's magazines of the 19th and 20th centuries. Before Cosmo or Real Simple - before even today's most popular blogs, such as CarolinesMode or HelloGiggles - there was Ladies Home Journal and Better Homes and Gardens, to name just two. In honor of the last day of Women's History Month, The New York Public Library's DeWitt Wallace Periodicals Division introduces the magazines that began it all.
The Seven Sisters included:
Better Homes and Gardens (started in 1922)
Family Circle (started in 1932)
Good Housekeeping (started in1885)
McCall's (started in 1873; was called Rosie in 2002 and eventually ceased publication)
Ladies' Home Journal (started in1873)
Redbook (started in1903)
Woman's Day (started in 1937)
The Seven Sisters devoted their monthly and general interest articles and columns toward improving the lives of the suburban housewife. Good Housekeeping was aimed toward women of affluent backgrounds and Better Homes and Gardens inspired women with ideas on home economics and leisurely activities. During the 1960s, the sisters had among the highest circulation according to the statistics conducted by The Association of Magazine Media.
Today, the modern urban reader might find the content of these past magazines to be vastly different in comparison to their contemporary city lives. However, for many - perusing the pages of these time-worn publications can provide an escape to a simpler time, not to mention the opportunity to learn about life in our grandparent's time and of course, there's always the chance of landing on that time-tested tip for removing a coffee stain from your almond sofa
Today, the Seven Sisters are still largely part of our society, having changed and adapted to suit the readers they enticed generations ago. (Although, McCall's ceased publication in 2002) Owned by Meredith and Hearst Corporations, this group of magazines are expanding their content beyond the traditions of motherhood or family values and incorporating the daily experiences of all kinds of women today. The images of their covers reveal the new trends of readerships and interests among women in the 21st century.
Check them out at NYPL's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building: peruse the vintage covers and read about the "dos and don'ts" for the 1890's housewife or party planning in the 1950s. We have all the sisters since they first appeared in the magazine stand.