The Old Dominion – December 15, 1871
Publisher: W. W. Harwood, 1011 Main Street, Richmond, Virginia
Format: Original paper wraps, 8vo (approx. 9 × 6 in.), 32 pp.
Condition: Worn and chipped, lower corner losses, front and back covers separated but present; text complete and legible.
Description
Authentic 19th-century issue of The Old Dominion: A Monthly Magazine of Literature, Science, and Art, printed in Richmond, Virginia, December 15, 1871. Edited and published by W. W. Harwood, the journal sought to re-establish Southern letters in the decade following the Civil War.
The table of contents lists essays and fiction typical of the period’s literary revival, including “A Visit to Victor Hugo,” “The Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” “The Old Clock,” and memorial pieces honoring Virginia figures such as Capt. Robert D. Minor. The rear wrapper advertises Richmond merchants—most notably Levy Brothers Dry Goods Store, one of the city’s largest post-war businesses—offering a vivid glimpse into Virginia’s commercial culture during Reconstruction.
Historical Significance
The Old Dominion was among the few literary magazines printed in the South during the 1870s, following in the tradition of antebellum titles such as The Southern Literary Messenger. Surviving single issues are scarce, as circulation was limited and most copies were heavily read.
Collector’s Note
Original Southern literary periodicals of this era rarely appear outside institutional holdings. Despite its fragile condition, this issue retains both wrappers and all text, making it an excellent study or display example of Virginia’s early literary press.
