The Children's Hour, A Magazine for the Little Ones. (1867-1874)

This magazine was intended for children between the ages of six and twelve.

"Its articles are carefully prepared by thoughtful men and women who are not only skilled writers, but lovers of this special work".

"Will be as beautiful in appearance as the best typography and the best artists in the country can make it".

"Writers who, while they possess the rare power of interesting young minds intensely, never stain a sentence with a groveling or profane idea, but always lift the thought info things pure and noble."

Volume 1 was published in January,1867. These magazines consisted of short stories and poetry by children's authors of the day. This periodical was named after Longfellow's poem, "The Children's Hour" and was edited by T. S. Arthur. There were two volumes per year and the issues could be purchased individually or as bound copies consisting of one (six months) or two volumes (twelve months). The magazines were edited by T. S. Arthur.

In 1867 eight stories of eight pages each from the (January-June) "Children's Hour" were published separately in eight little books with illuminated covers as well as in wraps and sold as a packet for 25 cents. They are 4.5" x 2.875".
The stories are:
1. The Moth and the Candle (written by T. S. Arthur)
2. Willy's Journal to Heaven; and Reading the Bible (written by Jenny Gaige)
3. The Motherless Boy (written by T. S. Arthur)
4. The Sick Child; and Who Took Him on the Other Side (Written by Jenny Gaige)
5. The Child Witness
6. The Sunny Maple (Written by L. A. B.)
7. Into the Sunshine; and, Afraid in the Dark (written by T. S. Arthur)
8. A Little Gentleman (Written by Kate Sutherland)

At the end of its run it merged with St. Nicholas, another juvenile periodical.

< Volume I, II- January, 1867-December, 1867
Volume III, IV- January, 1868-December, 1868
Volume V, VI- January, 1869- December, 1869
Volume VII, VIII- January, 1870- December, 1870
Volume IX, X- January, 1871-December, 1871
Volume XI, XII- January, 1872- December, 1872
Volume XIII, XIV- January, 1873- December, 1873
Volume XV- January 1874- June 1874

The covers of the individual monthly issues from 1867-1873 were the same. 7.5" x 6".

The individual issues are all 32 pages with a few exceptions. The June, 1867 issue has 26 pages. The final magazine in each volume (June and December) is only 24 pages. Also the January ,1868 and January, 1871 issues are 40 pages.

The 1874 cover was changed.

At the end of every six month period, a volume including the six issues was bound and available for purchase. Two volume bound books including the year's twelve issues were also published. They are 7.5" x 6".

In 1867 a one year subscription cost $1.25. To boost subscriber rates, Arthur offered a yearly subscription of this magazine in combination with other books and/or magazines for bargain rates. For example for $1.25 this subscription plus a copy of "Fireside Angel". Clergymen got a bargain with a subscription for $1.00.

In most years there are inducements for those organizing subscriber "clubs".

Here is the 1871 premium list. Note that to get the really "good stuff" a subscriber had to really go out and sell a lot of subscriptions. To get the Grover and Baker Sewing machine a kid needed 55 subscriptions. Reminds me of selling Grit door to door.

In 1872 one of the premiums was a chromo picture of "The Church Mouse". This rare piece is shown below.

In 1871 J. M. Stoddart & Co. published a 144 page anthology of stories previously published in The Children's Hour. This 8.5" x 7" volume has been seen with different appliqués.

Little Gems from the Children's Hour is a 143 page book which was copyrighted by J. M. Stoddart & Co. in 1875. It consists of numerous stories and poetry previously published in the magazines.

Three different publishers printed this book with identical content but with different covers.

J. A. Ruth and Co.'s Publishing House printed copies in 1878 and 1879.

1879