Poignant 1898 magazine ad touts “the most marvellous instrument of our age”

Posted by: Scott Tags: old magazines, The Nickell Posted date: December 9, 2013 | 2 Comments

I was flipping through the January 1898 issue of The Nickell—which, as you know, is the kind of thing I love to do, because it’s the closest to a time machine I’m going to get—

—when I spotted a poignant advertisement filled with nostalgia not just for the late 19th century—but for the early 19th century as well.

In a half-page ad for the Graphophone, which appears to be the next step forward after Thomas Edison’s phonograph, an old man listens to “the most marvellous instrument of our age” and wistfully declares—

“They didn’t have anything like this when I was young.”

I can imagine the old guy getting all misty-eyed. I must admit I got a little misty-eyed myself.

Wonder if it did the same to those who dropped a nickel on a copy of The Nickell back then?

2 Comments for Poignant 1898 magazine ad touts “the most marvellous instrument of our age”

Jean Nickell

Do you happen to know the history of this magazine? I’m wondering why it was called The Nickell Magazine and whether anyone named Nickell was involved with it. I actually own a copy, but haven’t been able to find much about it. Thanks.

Scott

Alas, I know nothing of the history of the magazine. I just own the one copy, and online searches haven’t yielded much in the way of an answer. But if you figure it out, please let me know!