The Columbian Magazine, or Monthly Miscellany

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Title

The Columbian Magazine, or Monthly Miscellany

Coverage

Philadelphia

Publisher

Seddon, Spotswood, Cist, and Trenchard

Date

August 1787

Subject

Volume 1, number 12

Description

Benjamin Franklin’s copy, with his name written on the front wrapper, presumably by the publisher. Columbian was the best illustrated magazine of the century, started in September 1786 by a handful of men, including Matthew Carey; John Trenchard, an engraver who contributed two copperplate engravings for each number and Charles Cist, a Russian immigrant who went on to establish the government printing office. The magazine’s name was changed in 1790 to Universal Asylum.