The Harper's Dinasty

The rise of American editorial and advertising design begins with the Harpers brothers. They started their publishing business J. & J. Harper in 1817. The company changed its name to "Harper & Brothers" in 1833.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March, 1858

Harper & Brothers began publishing Harper's New Monthly Magazine in 1850. The brothers also published Harper's Weekly (starting in 1857),

First Harper's Bazar's Cover, 1867

Harper's Bazar (starting in 1867). Harper's New Monthly Magazine ultimately became Harper's Magazine, which is now published by the Harper's Magazine Foundation.

Here are five key contributions: 

1. Harper’s covered major national and international issues, including the Civil War, Reconstruction, and industrialization. It helped shape public discourse by providing in-depth reporting and political commentary. 

2. The magazine featured works of the most notable American authors, such as Mark Twain, Herman Melville, and Henry James, helping to establish a uniquely American literary voice. 

3. It was one of the first American periodicals to use extensive illustrations, making news and literature more accessible. Political cartoons, such as those by Thomas Nast, were instrumental in influencing public attitudes on issues like corruption and civil rights. 

4. The magazine provided a blend of fiction, essays, and news that catered to the growing literate middle class, reinforcing cultural and intellectual trends of the time. 

5. Harper's documented westward expansion, urbanization, and technological advancements, providing readers with a broader understanding of the rapidly changing nation.