The Delineator. What a curious name for a magazine. I had never heard of a magazine called The Delineator until last week. I suppose that I have been hiding under a bush, not even looking for Vogue or Glamour to be published each month. However, I do like Southern Living! I had never considered where or when or why magazines came into existence until I came across an old cookbook that my husband found at his aunt’s home. He helped pack away her belongings in large boxes and brought home the old cookbook for my out of control collection. I forgot that it was there.

Evidently, I have very blurred vision because I did not realize that the cookbook was there for almost ten years. While looking for a children’s cookbook for our daughter, I happened upon the 1930 cookbook. The name of the cookbook is New Delineator Recipes. I thought…”Oh my word! What could the word Delineator mean?” Honestly, I figured that it was some kind of a mixer or similar old kitchen device.

So…I did what any self-respecting person in 2017 does when they do not know something…I googled the word Delineator. You all might already be knowledgeable about this discovery, but it was a big surprise to me. There was a women’s magazine named The Delineator  that was published from 1873 until 1937. My old (but new to me) cookbook was an extension of the popular magazine.

The Delineator was initially a fashion magazine published by the Butterick Publishing Company. Yes…Butterick of the sewing pattern industry. They wanted to market their new sewing patterns all over the United States and knew from experience that magazines were the “new interest” of women. Beginning in 1864, early magazines were quickly growing in popularity. In 1864, Butterick began publishing the fashion magazine, The Ladies’ Quarterly Review of Broadway Fashions. In 1868, Butterick began publishing the Metropolitan Monthly. In 1873, both of these magazines were merged into The Delineator.

 

The Delineator quickly became one of the top magazines in the United States. Begun strictly as a women’s fashion magazine, new editors soon expanded the focus of the articles. The magazine now included fashions, tips for  home decorating, housekeeping ideas, women’s issues, health concerns and happenings in the arts.

As women’s rights came into focus, The Delineator took on the role as a leader and a vibrant voice as it lobbied for women’s suffrage during the early 1900s. In subsequent years, the magazine included articles about orphaned and abandoned children. Eventually the magazines moved away from social concerns and once again concentrated on aspects of the home, family, marriage and children.

By 1936 and 1937, the magazine was losing profitability and ceased publication in April, 1937. Sold to the Hearst Corporation, the magazine was merged with the Pictorial Review, another fashion magazine. The Hearst magazine merger stopped publishing in 1939.

The Delineator…a fashion forward magazine…with social content of important value. And…the reason that I have a 1930 cookbook named New Delineator Recipes! Very interesting recipes to follow in another post!

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/blur/