The penny magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, issue 17, July 7, 1832

"The Penny Magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge" published by Charles Knight is an illustrated weekly magazine published from 1832 to 1845. Created for Britain's working class and sold for just one penny, it featured wood-engraved illustrations to reach both literate and illiterate audiences. Initially achieving remarkable success with 200,000 copies sold, the magazine offered non-radical educational content during a period of social reform. However, its dry tone and expensive production costs eventually led to declining readership, forcing price increases that undermined its original mission of accessible knowledge.

The penny magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, issue 17, July 7, 1832, from the public domain. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #76897.