CONTENT WARNING
Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.
Context
In earlier eras, books were expensive luxury items only owned by those who could afford to purchase them. The advent of the printing press made it easier to produce books; however, it was far easier to mass produce newspapers, pamphlets, and other printed ephemera. The time that went into creating a full-length book made it necessary for publishers to pick and choose which books to print. The selective nature of book publishing caused many publishers to choose extremely specialized topics such as religion or education. As industrialization progressed, it became easier to print a wider variety of books for a more general audience. These books were called “trade publications” and were printed by many publishers. Some of the better-known trade publications were launched late in the 1800s and early in the 1900s.
Despite this progress in the publishing world, book prices were still too expensive for some readers. For some, their literary needs would be met by the advent of pulp fiction magazines in the 1890s. Pulp fiction magazines got their name from being printed on extremely cheap wood pulp paper. The use of pulp material, paired with more efficient printing presses, made these magazines very inexpensive and thus more accessible to the average person.
Citation: Jet and C.H.D., n.d., Visual Studies Collection, Harry C. Mann Photograph Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va.
Despite this progress in the publishing world, book prices were still too expensive for some readers. For some, their literary needs would be met by the advent of pulp fiction magazines in the 1890s. Pulp fiction magazines got their name from being printed on extremely cheap wood pulp paper. The use of pulp material, paired with more efficient printing presses, made these magazines very inexpensive and thus more accessible to the average person.
Citation: Jet and C.H.D., n.d., Visual Studies Collection, Harry C. Mann Photograph Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va.
Standards
History: VS.1, VS.8, USII.1, USII.4, VUS.1, VUS.8, VUS.9
Suggested Questions
Preview Activity
Look at It: Examine the photograph closely. What can you speculate about the economic status of the mother and child in the picture, and how might this have any effect on the "point" of the photograph? Be specific.
Post Activities
Analyze: How do you think the wider publication of a diverse number of books affected Virginians and Americans across the United States? How did this influence education and the writer of publications?Artistic Exploration: Create an advertisement promoting literacy and the benefits of reading books for a late-19th century audience and for a modern audience. Keep in mind how attitudes and interests have changed over time.