Our Little Ones - Russell Publishing Company

From time to time I thought I would highlight a 19th century juvenile magazine. Today's magazine is Our Little Ones and Nursery

Our Little Ones and Nursery was a combination of two magazines for youth ("the youngest class of readers). The Nursery which was founded in 1867 and published by John L. Shorey and Our Little Ones published by the Russell Publishing Company beginning in November, 1880. This new magazine began in 1882 with the combined name and was published until it went defunct in 1899.

Included in today's entry is a trade card for the magazine and a couple of pictures of the magazine itself. The trade card was printed sometime in 1880-1881 before the merger of the two magazines. The Russell Publishing Company is still at the Tremont address as noted on the card.

It was also distributed by Griffith and Farrar in London in the early 188o's and later by Thomas Nelson and Sons.



















It was edited by William T. Adams (Oliver Optic). This small magazine consisted of simple stories and poems for youngsters. Music scores were included and the magazine was profusely illustrated. Although I do not recognize all the authors in the magazine included here, Frederick Ober and Josephine Pollard, writers who penned numerous juvenile books in the late 1800's are represented.

Interestingly, although the text is definitely for children, the pages of ads definitely were for adults. There are advertisements for "Brain and Nerve Food" (always something good to have around), gloves, pens, flowers, and everyone's special favorite Corset skirt supporter. And what child wouldn't want an invalid rolling chair.

Russell published other juvenile pieces including Oliver Optic's Annuals in the late 1880's, Little Mother and Their Little Friends and The Nursery-Illustrated Stories and Poems for Little People.