Limerick’s Magazine of Magazines, 1751-69

by Justin Furlong, Periodicals Librarian

We are always keen here at the National Library to collaborate with other institutions and libraries. With this in mind, we were very pleased to be approached by Prof. Geraldine Sheridan of the University of Limerick in relation to their project to digitise the Magazine of Magazines (1751-1769), Limerick’s first ever monthly magazine.

From title page of Magazine of Magazines, May 1756. NLI call no. J 05

The Magazine of Magazines is a miscellany comprising extracts from numerous eighteenth century periodicals and journals and covers subjects as diverse as science, philosophy, medicine, meteorology, religion, mythology and literature.

The preface to the first issue (January 1751) shows the ambitions of the publishers:

“… when the very name of Magazine carries ridicule with it: yet object what they will, a design like this must be owned very necessary. The variety of Magazines is so great, every one is in doubt where to fix for the best; and, fix where he will, equally disappointed: we are far from presuming to say ours is or will be the best; but thus much we may be bold to say, our design is more elegant, more spirited, and better adapted to please, than any yet attempted…”

Title page from Magazine of Magazines, September 1760. NLI call no. J 05

The University of Limerick has now digitised the issues of Magazine of Magazines from 1751-1761 (freely accessible online) but needed the National Library’s help in completing the remaining years. We have just finished work on digitising our unique holdings of this title and the results should be available online soon.

From title page of Magazine of Magazines, August 1768. NLI call no. J 05

This project has received support from the National Digital Learning Resources service (NDLR).

Tagged as: 18th century, A. James, Andrew Welsh, Booksellers, C. Sullivan, Digitisation, G. Conor, Journals, Justin Furlong, Limerick, Magazine of Magazines, Magazines, National Digital Learning Resources, NDLR, P. & G. Bagnell, P. Bagnell, Periodicals, Prof. Geraldine Sheridan, Stationers, University of Limerick, W. Flyn