Stunning Cover Photos of Harper's Magazine from the Late 19th Century

Harper’s Magazine is a monthly magazine covering literature, politics, culture, finance, and the arts. The Magazine was founded in New York City in June 1850. It is the second-oldest continuously published Magazine in the U.S. (Scientific American is the oldest but did not become a monthly until 1921). There have been several controversies surrounding Harper’s. Several blogs have been added to the Magazine.

Herman Melville and Woodrow Wilson were among the authors who wrote for this Magazine in the 19th and 20th centuries. When Willie Morris resigned as editor of the Magazine in 1971, numerous other employees resigned with him. The Magazine has won 22 National Magazine Awards.

Here are some fabulous cover photos from the Boston Public Library that show covers of Harper’s Magazine in the 1890s.

#1 A man holds a magazine and umbrella looks back, Harper’s August, 1893

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#2 A woman buys a magazine from a boy while sitting inside a horse-drawn carriage being driven by a man, Harper’s November, 1893

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#3 A woman reads a magazine, Harper’s Sept., 1893

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#4 A woman stands holding a dog and packages, Harper’s October, 1893

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#5 A woman stands holding a magazine and flowers while she picks another flower, Harper’s for June, 1893

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#6 A woman stands holding a magazine, Harper’s Christmas Number, 1893

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#7 A man purchases a Harper’s New Monthly Magazine subscription, Harper’s January, 1894

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#8 A man rides a bicycle with a magazine in a coat pocket, Harper’s October, 1894

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#9 A woman sits in a rocking chair, Harper’s September, 1894

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#10 A woman sits on a bench while a man puts ice skates on her shoes, Harper’s February, 1894

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#11 A woman sits on a couch reading a magazine next to a cat, Harper’s Christmas, 1894

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#12 Woman holding a magazine holding a hand out to two birds perched near a nest, Harper’s May, 1894

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#13 A man and woman look at a horse, Harper’s November, 1895

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#14 A man holds a woman’s hand, Harper’s January, 1895

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#15 A man mails a letter while a woman stands behind him, Harper’s February, 1895

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#16 A man wearing cap and gown reads a magazine while smoking a pipe, Harper’s June, 1895

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#17 A man wearing sporting gear reads Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, watched by two rabbits, Harper’s October, 1895

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#18 A woman holds Santa Claus’ hand as he lifts a coupe glass, Harper’s Christmas, 1895

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#19 A woman reads Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Harper’s September, 1895

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#20 A woman stands holding a magazine, looking behind her to a flock of sheep, Harper’s May, 1895

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#21 A woman stands next to a rabbit, both looking at a floating magazine, Harper’s March, 1895

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#22 Joan of Arc holds up a sword while holding onto a banner, April Harper’s, 1895

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#23 The German struggle for liberty, Harper’s July, 1895

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#24 A man sits in a rocking chair reading, Harper’s June, 1896

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#25 A man sits inside a horse-drawn coach while the driver sits above, Harper’s November, 1896

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#26 A woman holds two cats, Harper’s May, 1896

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#27 A woman sits with a man in a bathing costume, Harper’s August, 1896

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#28 A woman stands holding a magazine with three masks behind her, Harper’s March, 1896

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#29 A woman stands holding an umbrella, Harper’s July, 1896

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#30 A woman stands holding her gloves in her hands, Harper’s October, 1896

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#31 A woman stands next to a man holding an umbrella, Harper’s April, 1896

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#32 A woman stands with her hands in a muff with a dog behind her, Harper’s Christmas, 1896

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#33 George Washington looks out, Harper’s January, 1896

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#34 Two men riding in a carriage drawn by one horse, Harper’s November, 1896

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#35 A man sits reading a magazine, Harper’s Christmas, 1897

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#36 A woman stands holding a crop, Harper’s October, 1897

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#37 A woman stands holding an umbrella open above her, Harper’s April, 1897

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#38 A woman stands in front of a sedan chair, Harper’s August, 1897

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#39 A woman stands with a dog next to her, Harper’s May, 1897

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#40 A man sits in a chair, Harper’s August, 1898

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#41 A man stands next to a woman who has her hands in a muff, Harper’s October, 1898

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#42 A man stands ready to hit a golf ball, Harper’s April ’98, 1898

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#43 A woman stands clasping her hand, Harper’s January, 1898

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#44 Stirring times in Austria described by Mark Twain in Harper’s March, 1898

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#45 A man holds a plough hooked to a horse, Harper’s March, 1899

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