Transatlantic Civil Society in Periodicals, 1768-1925

This collection contains a series of American journals, magazines, and trade papers published in the United Kingdom and continental Europe from 1768 to 1925—a period that encompasses everything from the Boston Tea Party to the First World War. The periodicals are diverse in nature, but their focus is on social, cultural, and economic interchange between North America and Europe, with an emphasis on Anglo-American relations.

Subject matter covered includes art (The Anglo-American Illustrated News), literature (The American Magazine), trade and commerce (The American Blue Book), leisure (American Referee And Cycle Trade Journal), tourism (The American Visitors’ News And Register And Colonial Gazette; America Abroad), émigré society gossip (American Society in Europe), politics (The London American), and white supremacy (The Anglo-Saxon), amongst other things.

The collection is accompanied by a detailed publication guide.

As a rule, we develop a borrowed European idea forward, and Europe develops a borrowed American idea backwards.

Mark Twain, Complete Essays

Insights

The periodicals highlight the interdependent nature of North American and European society, even during times of conflict and strife.

Many of the titles were published in England, and, as such, privileged Anglo-American relations, issues, and commerce.

While Canada receives much less attention than the United States, it still features regularly in some publications and prominently in others.

Magazines such as 'The American Directory of Who's Who in Europe' had several editions, each concerned with different European countries. 'The American Referee and Cycle Trade Journal', meanwhile, printed separate editions in English, French, and German.

In general, the periodicals were aimed at American travellers and residents in Europe, providing a guide to émigré society, news from North America, advice for tourists, or all three. The more trade-oriented journals, however, are addressed to British businessmen with an interest in American markets and products. A good example of this is the 'The Anglo-American and Mexican Mining Guide and General Financier'.

The collection is divided thematically into five volumes: Cultural Exchange, 1851-1914; Tourism and Emigration, 1884-1914; Conflict, 1768-1919; Investment and Finance, 1873-1912; and Trade and Commerce, 1897-1906.