An Honest Heritage

Thomas J. Condie, Jr., credited by Will Snow with being the earliest known publisher of an American amateur periodical, came naturally by his talents. According to Mott’s “History of American Magazines,” his father Thomas Condie conducted at the tail end of the 18th century, the PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY, which in 1798 had almost reached the thousand mark in circulation. Incidentally on page 101 of Goodspeed’s very interesting house-organ, THE MONTH, (December) appears an aquatint of Girard’s Bank which is held at $35. The first article in this issue speaks of Condie, Jr. having gotten out his JUVENILE PORTFOLIO AND LITERARY MISCELLANY at 22 Carter’s Alley, directly opposite and the acquatint apparently shows the very building.