The Vault at Pfaff's

An Archive of Art and Literature by the Bohemians of Antebellum New York

Periodicals

The bohemians of antebellum New York published regularly in the daily newspapers, literary weeklies, and monthly magazines that proliferated throughout the United States in the years leading up to the Civil War. Writers and artists at the beginnings of their careers published in periodicals as a way to build their reputations and attract the attention of book publishers. A number of the periodicals that began during this period, such as The New York Tribune and Harper's Monthly, became very successful and continued to be published well into the twentieth century. Many other periodicals, however, lasted only for a few years. Two such periodicals, The New York Saturday Press and Vanity Fair, began around the tables at Pfaff's bar. The Saturday Press ran from October 1858 until December 1860, and was briefly revived in August 1865 only to cease publication again in June 1866. Similarly, Vanity Fair began publishing in December 1859 and ended its run in July 1863. During that brief window, however, the two periodicals were a showcase for a variety of irreverent, playful, and socially savvy literary and artistic productions. Vanity Fair regularly featured illustrations and was primarily a humor magazine with a strong political bent; the Saturday Press was text-only and focused on literary and theatrical arts, as well as commentary on current events. When the Pfaff's bohemians no longer had Vanity Fair and the Saturday Press available to them as publication venues, many of them began contributing to The New York Leader, a weekly that ran from 1856 to 1871.

The Vault at Pfaff's provides scanned page images of the Saturday Press, Vanity Fair, and the Leader in an Islandora viewer. Poems, illustrations, and articles from the Saturday Press and Vanity Fair have been indexed, with metadata and abstracts searchable on the site. Selections from the Leader will be indexed at a later date. In addition, many pieces by and about the Pfaff's bohemians that appeared in periodicals such as Harper's, Putnam's, The Knickerbocker, and Frank Leslie's Paper have been indexed for searching and, where available, links have been provided to external websites that house scanned page images or transcriptions.

Use the form below to browse plays or visit the advanced search page for more options.

  • "The Rose [from the Californian]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • "All About Shakespeare." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Edgerton, Wild. "November [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Johnson, Edwin R.. "My Rival - A Problem [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Cyfax. "Jim." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Tapley, Mark. "A Plea for the Purblind [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • "A Story for Good Little Girls [not from the Round Table]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • "The Mayorality." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • "Authoresses." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Orpheus. "Another Feline 'Attachment' [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • "A Plain Talk with Colonel Potts [from the Bunkum Round Table]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • "Inconstancy Defended [from the French] [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Armac. "Retrospective Criticism [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Princess Adrienne. "Hannah Thurston [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Conway. "Palmerston's Death Bed." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Belphegor. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Urner, Nathan D.. "November." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • C. P. C.. "A Gang of Swindlers Exposed [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Gonant, C. B.. "It Was a Dream [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • Billings, Josh. "Josh Billings to his Publisher." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • "The Bold Mariners of the Central Park [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • "His Grave [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-12).

  • The Little Prophet. "Logoi: Prophetic Mysteries." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-16).

  • Billings, Josh. "Sayings of Josh Billings [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-16).

  • C. B. S. [Seymour, Charles Bailey]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-16).

  • Gardette, Charles D.. "Five Minutes: A Parisian Sketch [translated for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-16).

  • Heyse, Paul. "La Rabbiata [from Once a Week]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-16).

  • Williams, Alfred M.. "A Night in Kiernan's Tower [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-16).

  • Armac. "The Statues of New York [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-16).

  • "A Woman's Thoughts About Women [from London 'Fun']." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-16).

  • "The Literature and Curiosities of Dreams [from the London Saturday Review]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • "The Mayorality." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • "[Editorial Comments]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • "On the Medicinal Benefits of Laziness." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • Harte, Francis Bret. "Fantine. From the French of Victor Hugo by 'Bret,' the Californian's Condensed Novelist." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • Taylor, Bayard. "A Wedding Sonnet. To T. B. A. [from the N. Y. Tribune]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • Logan, Olive. "From Olive Logan." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • Anon. "New York Saturday Press." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • Arnold, George. "The Heart's Rest." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • Hamilton, Gail. "King James the First [from the Atlantic Monthly for December]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • Brougham, John. "Persevere [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • Twain, Mark. "The Ballad Infliction." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-19).

  • T.B.A and a Facetious Friend. "At Bay Ridge, L. I." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Eytinge, Margaret. "The Christmas Hymn I Heard." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Jaunebert. "From (but not of) Paris." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • "Lesson for Christmas." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • "The Pioneer Ball." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Seward, William H.. "The Department of State." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • "On the Beauty and the Necessity of Having Governors." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • "[Editorial Comments]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Warren. "On a Farm I [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • O'Brien, Fitz-James. "Three of a Trade, or, Red Little Kriss Kringle." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • C. B. S. [Seymour, Charles Bailey]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Winter, William. "Albion." Albion. (1865-12-23).

  • "From Deborah Dunn's Letters in 'The Boudoir'." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Goldbeck, Mary Freeman. "My Love and I [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Harte, Francis Bret. "George Arnold [from the Californian Nov. 18]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Holly. "Christmas Goose [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Armac. "Old Saws with New Readings [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Aldrich, T.B.. "The Poet's Grave." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Barber, Joseph. "King Christmas." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • De Vere, Mary. "To-." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-23).

  • Clapp, Henry Jr.. "The Old Year." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • O'Brien, Fitz-James. "What Santa Claus Brought Me." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • Sothern, E. A.. "Mr. Sothern on Spiritualism." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • "[Editorial Comments]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • A Bohemian. "Sixes and Sevens [Copied by request from the first number of the Saturday Press, [October 23, 1858]]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • Harte, Francis Bret. "Mr. Midshipman Breezy. By Captain M-rry-t, R. N. By 'Bret', the Californian's Condensed Novelist." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • Stoddard, Mrs. R. H.. "One of the Days of My Life." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • Arnold, George. "Gone." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • C. B. S. [Seymour, Charles Bailey]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • Twain, Mark. "'Mark Twain' on the Launch of the Steamer 'Capital' [from the Californian]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • S. F.. "Out in the Cold [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • "The Substance of the Comedy [from the London Saturday Review]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • Crary, Kate Huestis. "Lonesome [from the Trenton Monitor]." New York Saturday Press. (1865-12-30).

  • Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "An International Affair. In Eight Sections." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-1-1).

  • Shepherd, N. G.. "Winter." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-1-1).

  • Billings, Josh. "Josh Billings on Skating [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • "Japanese Fans [from the London Reader]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • "[Editorial Comments]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • M.. "Life in a Bar-room [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • Warren. "On a Farm III. [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • "A Fatal Gift." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • Billings, Josh. "Josh Billings on Amerikans [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • "Literary Matters." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • "Red Hair." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • "The Power of Music [Punch]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • Buchanan, Robert. "Hermione, or, Differences Adjusted." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • "From Deborah Dunn's Private Letter to the Boudoir." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-13).

  • Stipps. "Western Sketches [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • Billings, Josh. "Sayings of Josh Billings." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • "Literature of Wedded Life." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • Flash, H. L.. "At Galveston, Texas." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • Warren. "On a Farm II [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • Vaughan, Herbert. "Coldstream." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • "Personal." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • "Typographical Errors [from Harper's Monthly]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • Tapley, Mark. "The Story of Pius Aeneas." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-16).

  • "Half a Million of Money [London Saturday Review]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • A. B.. "Curiosities of Criticism." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • A Lover with a Cold in his Head. "A Fall Serenade." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Billings, Josh. "Sayings of Josh Billings [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • The Weathercock of the Tribune. "Meteorological [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Allingham, William. "The Touchstone." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Warren. "On a Farm [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • "Henry Dunbar [from the London Fun]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Billings, Josh. "Amerikan Aristokrasy." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Tite, Appy. "Song of the Chinese Gong [from the Mohawk Valley Register]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • "American Humor [from Canton Magazine for January]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Billings, Josh. "Josh Billings on Laffing [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Harte, Francis Bret. "Miss Mix [condensed by 'Bret' for the Californian]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Muloch, Miss [Dina Mariah Muloch Craik]. "Too Late." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-20).

  • Wolcott, R.. "Breaking the Ice." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Stoddard, Charles W.. "Through the Shadows." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Stoddard, Mrs. R. H.. "Uncle Zeb." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Browne, Matthew. "An Apology for the Nerves [from the London Argosy]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • "The Palmy Days." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Litton, B. and Charles Reade. "The Wreck of the Blunderguss [from London 'Fun']." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Urner, Nathan D.. "Love and Lustre [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • M.. "Misrepresentation." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Fortmeyer, Geo. W.. "The Jealous Stream." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Robinson. "How to Keep a Hotel [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • F. [Figaro]. "Drum Taps [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • "[Editorial Comments]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Howells, W. D.. "Caprice." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • "Soon to be in Mark-et." New York Saturday Press. (1866-1-27).

  • Shepherd, N. G.. "The Witnesses." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-2-1).

  • Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "An International Affair. In Eight Sections." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-2-1).

  • Shepherd, N. G.. "Euthansy." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-2-1).

  • Bremond, A.. "Chronique Parisienne: Un Mariage a L'Electricite." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • "The Belton Estate." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • Gill, Alice. "Would You? [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • Harte, Francis Bret. "The Haunted Man. A Christmas Story by Ch-r-s D-c-k-n-s, Condensed by Francis Bret Harte [from the Californian]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • L. J. C.. "Soap Bubbles [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • Stedman, Edmund Clarence. "Song [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • "Enough is as Good as a Feast." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • "Nellie's Trials [from the London 'Fun']." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • "At Her Feet [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • Dickens, Charles. "Paradise Revisited [from Dickens' All the Year Round]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • "Low Life Above Stairs [from Chambers' Journal]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • Warren. "On a Farm V. [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • "Josh Billings [from the Boston Evening Gazette Feb. 4]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-10).

  • Bradnack, Fowler. "The Mysterious Guest." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • "L. B. C. [from Chambers' Journal]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • M. E.. "A Verse [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • "Mrs. Brown Has a Dog Brought Home [from the London 'Fun']." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • Whitaker, John. "Billy Blake's Best Coffin [from Once a Week]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • "[Editorial Comments]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • Harte, Francis Bret. "A Venerable Impostor [from the Californian]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • Ruskin, John. "Sir Joshua and Holbein." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-13).

  • "Mr. Gaylor's "Child Stealer"." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-17).

  • "Popular Toys." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-17).

  • Ego. "Letter from Paris." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-17).

  • J. N. D.. "A Hurricane at Sea [for the Saturday Press]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-17).

  • Farnall, H. B.. "A Night in a Workhouse [from the Pall Mall Gazette]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-17).

  • "Miss Emma Hardinge [from the London Saturday Review]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-17).

  • "The Fourth Book of the Aeneid by Virgil [from the Windsor? [Conn.] Herald]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-17).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-17).

  • Mc'Kay, Donald. "Armored Vessels." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • Thornbury, Walter. "The Phantom Ship [from Once a Week]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • Brownell, H. H.. "Lines: Kimposed a Bored of a Californy Steemer." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • "Mr. Tupper's Work 'As a Poet' [from the London Spectator]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • "A Word to President Johnson." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • A Policeman. "To a Little Maid." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • Trinculo [Andrew C. Wheeler]. "Out at Night." Leader. (1866-2-24).

  • The Little Prophet. "Logoi: Prophetic Mysteries [Part Second]." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • Emerson, R. W.. "Midwinter." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New York Saturday Press. (1866-2-24).

  • Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "The Gray Jockey. A Rocky Mountain Camp-Fire Story." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-3-1).

  • Shepherd, N. G.. "Summer Longings." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-3-1).

  • Aldrich, T. B.. "Snow." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1866-3-1).

  • "[Editorial Comments]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-10).

  • Ego. "Letter from Paris." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-10).

  • Cooper, George. "The Haunted Waterfall [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-10).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-10).

  • Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "A Souvenir." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-10).

  • M. A. E.. "Is She a Heroine?." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-10).

  • Wallack, Lester. "Stop Thief! [London Athenaeum]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-10).

  • Greeley, Horace. "Address of Horace Greeley." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-10).

  • "The Lost Tale of Miletus [London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • Gardette, C. D.. "Waiting [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • Wolcott, R.. "My Infirmity." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • Billings, Josh. "Aphorisms." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • Aldrich, Thomas Bailey. "Snow [from the March number of the Atlantic]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • "What Ails My Love? [from London 'Fun']." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • Ego. "Letter from Paris." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • Twain, Mark. "The Mysterious Bottle of Whiskey." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • "Decimal Currency, Weights, and Measures." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • Bell, Henry Glassford. "My Vis-a-Vis [from 'Romances and Minor Poems']." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • An Antiquarian. "Epigram [from the Californian]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • "Literary Matters." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • "From Deborah Dunn's Private Letter to the Boudoir: Edwin Booth's 'Richelieu'." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • Babson, Emma Mortimer. "Beside a Grave." Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).

  • "Nantucket." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).