Magazines, like newspapers, are typically focused on current events and trends. While it is true that some publications speak to bygone eras, they too will be doing so from a present-day perspective. As such, magazines are an important part of our cultural history, and represent a chance to research times in an efficient, accurate way. Magazine back issues are often available for this purpose. Some magazines will offer back issues of their publications. Cards for requests, or information on requesting a back issue are often contained within a current edition. Either an actual back issue, or a re-printed facsimile can be provided. This is clearly not the case with magazines that are no longer in print. Magazine back issues of these publications, however, can still be found. Booksellers often carry magazines, and often carry back issues of magazines. The more popular a magazine is or was will greatly affect this probability, but anything that was even remotely popular in its day can typically be found without too much trouble. Besides the articles they contain, magazine back issues offer a wonderful glimpse into the culture they served. Everything from advertisements to type-sets and layout can quickly reveal the target audience. Magazine back issues will often be offered at a price not that much greater than a new magazine. Perhaps a small shipping and handling fee will apply, unless the magazine in question is extremely rare, in which case it becomes not only a magazine back issue, but a collectible. |
