Salmagundi; or, the Whim-Whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, Esq. and Others

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Title

Salmagundi; or, the Whim-Whams and Opinions of Launcelot Langstaff, Esq. and Others

Coverage

New York

Publisher

David Longworth

Date

January 1807–May 1808

Subject

Volumes 1–2

Description

Washington Irving began his literary career writing and editing Salmagundi with his older brother, William, and his friend, James Kirke Paulding. It was the first American magazine of importance devoted entirely to satire. Salmagundi contained a series of letters lampooning the culture and politics of New York City and was the first to nickname the city “Gotham.” The frontispiece illustration is by Alexander Anderson, one of America’s earliest wood-engravers