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.

Aldrich, Thomas Bailey. "Snow [from the March number of the Atlantic]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-13).
Wisp, Willy. "The Dwarf Beth-Gimel and his Guests [from the Boston Commonwealth]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
Ego. "Letter from Paris." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
Howells, W. D.. "To the Editor of the Saturday Press." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
Arnold, George. "Cui Bono?." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
Dickens, Charles. "Bet's Match-Making [from Dickens' All the Year Round]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
"From Miss Deborah Dunn's Private Letters to the Boudoir." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
"Great Literary Sale [from Punch Feb. 24]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
"Editing a Paper." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
An Irishman. "The Cart Before the Horse." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
"The Fashions: The Early Spring Modes [from the New York Tribune]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
"Mr. Tupper as a Dramatist [from the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
Brougham, John. "My Own Nelly." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
Billings, Josh. "Letter from Josh Billings." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
"The Whirlwind Machine [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
"Mrs. Brown on Libel [from the London 'Fun']." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
"The Surgeon's Revenge [London Fun]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
Heister and Jones. "Sons of the Cape [from the Boston Daily Advertiser]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-17).
H.. "A Ghost Adventure in Canada [from St. James Magazine]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
"Steinway's New Musical Hall." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
Rossetti, Christina G.. "If." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
Dickens, Charles. "What Was It? [from Dickens' All the Year Round]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
"[Editorial Comments]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
A Teetotaller. "Epigram on E. A. Poe." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
Dickens, Charles. "At Home With the Spirits [from Dickens' All the Year Round]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
"Mrs. Brown on Gas Explosions [from London 'Fun']." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
"The Cholera [from the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
Ego. "Letter from Paris [from our own correspondent]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
Russell, A. B.. "March." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
"Wager of Battle [from Once a Week]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-24).
M. A. E.. "The Rejected Suitor [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
"Platonic Affection [from the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
Ego. "Letter from Paris." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
"A True Bohemian [from 'Temple Bar']." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
A Dutchman. "A Grave Remonstrance with Some English Travelers in Holland." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
"[Editorial Comments]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
"Nathan Meyer Rothschild of London [from London Society]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
Babson, Emma Mortimer. "An Unfinished Poem." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
Scoggin, Andrew. "The Conundrum of To-day [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-3-31).
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Character." The North American Review. Cedar Falls, Iowa: University of Northern Iowa. (1866-4-1).
"The 'Times' Paris Correspondent [from the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-14).
"[Editorial Comments]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-14).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-14).
Emerson, Ralph Waldo. "Character [from the North American Review for April]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-14).
Ego. "Letter from Paris [from our own correspondent]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-14).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur III [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-14).
"Art in the Auction Room [from London Society]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-14).
O. L. C.. "Medical Almanacs [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-14).
"The Dramatic Hope [from London 'Fun']." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
Travestie. "Romeo and Juliet." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
Dickens, Charles. "Genii of the Ring [from Dickens' All the Year Round]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
Ego. "Letter from Paris [from our own correspondent]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
"The Lost Art at Classical Seminaries [All the Year Round]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
K. E. N.. "The Art of Musical Criticism Made Easy [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur. II. [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
"Sans Merci [London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
"Mormon Marriages [from the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
Harwood, William Henry. "The Ladder of Fame: An Allegory." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
Dytion, Edmund Aylmers. "Immortality: An Oriental Tale [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
"Evenings from Home [from Punch]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-17).
"Donkey-Riding in Parnassus [from the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
"[Editorial Comments]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
"Mephistophelean [from the Atlantic Monthly for April]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
"William Blake, Seer and Painter [from 'Temple Bar' for April]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
Scoggin, Andrew. "Counterfeit Conundrums [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
"Why Have Speeches in Congress [from the Round Table]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
"French Novels [from the Philadelphia City Item]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
"Mr. Carlyle's Inaugatory Address as Lord Rector of the Edinburg University." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur. IV. [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-21).
"Much Ado About Nothing [from London Society]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
Bateman, H. L.. "The Bateman-Daly Controversy." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
"The Toilers of the Sea." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
Stoddard, Charles Warren. "The Lost Pleiad." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
Ward, Artemus. "Artemus Ward Among the Fenians." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
D. P.. "We Parted at the Omnibus." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur V [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
M. A. E.. "The Loan of a Voice." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-4-28).
Stedman, Edmund Clarence. "Edwin Booth." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1866-5-1).
"Youthful Promise [from the London Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-12).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur VII [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-12).
Twain, Mark. "The Boy That Bore a Charmed Life." Saturday Press. (1866-5-12).
"Kate [from Harpers' Monthly]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-12).
M. A. E.. "The Festival of St. Cecilia [A Musical Romance]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-12).
G. B.. "Personal Reminiscences of Beau Brummel." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-12).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-12).
"Homicidal Heroines [From the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"Croons for the Cradle [from the London Fun]." Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"[Among the pictures rejected recently by the Academy]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"The Favorite of Fortune [from the London Fun]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"[Charles F. Browne (Artemus Ward) has commenced]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"Mrs. Brown Loses a Dog [from the London Fun]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"How to Avoid the Cholera." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"Among the Clubbists: Great Kehoe Celebration." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur VI [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"The Savage at the Quartette." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
Wilberforce, E.. "Comic Papers in Germany [from Once a Week]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
Scoggin, Andrew. "The Conundrum in the County." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"[One of the principal effects of the new liquor law]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
House, E. H.. "Pas Encore." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"The 'Discovery' of MM. Frantz and Faure." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
"One Suburban Residence." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-15).
I. E.. "A Few Hints from a Transcendentalist." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
C. W. S.. "The Merchant of Venice: A Trasvestie." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur VIII [for the Saturday Press]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
Barber, Joseph. "Concerning Eggs [from the Round Table]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
E. H.. "A Brief Disquisition [Concerning the Early History of Printing in America.]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
Dadd, B.. "The South As It Is." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
"The Home of Victor Hugo [from the Galaxy]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
"Reserve [from the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
"Notes of the Week." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
Peters, Absolom. "The City of the Silent, --A Tribute to the Woodlawn Cemetery." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
"Mrs. Brown on Bringing Up a Family [from the London Fun]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
C., M. D.. "Carlyle in Edinburgh." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
"Spurious Pictures [from the Boudoir]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
"An Imperial Prodigy [from the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-19).
Clapp, Henry Jr.. "[Editorial Comments]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
Spencer, Edward. "Bad Symptoms [from the Atlantic Monthly for June]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
Smith, Alexander. "Mr. Carlyle at Edinburgh [from the Argosy]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
"The Gringe Family." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
"Fuss and Feathers [from The Temple Bar]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
"A Quaker Pepys." New -York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
The Flaneur. "The Flaneur IX [for the Saturday Press]." New -York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
Buchanan, Robert. "The Bachelor Dreams [The Argosy]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-5-26).
Urner, Nathan Dane. "The Demon from the Sea." The Independent. (1866-5-31).
Wallace, William Ross. "The Live American." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-6-1).
Shepherd, N. G.. "The Spectre." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-6-1).
"Visible Speech [from Chambers' Journal]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
"Mrs. Brown Sees the Coming Home from the Derby [from the London Fun]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
"Clergymen [from the London Saturday Review]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
"Rather Hard on the Cattle if They Could Only Appreciate It." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
Twain, Mark. "A Strange Dream." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
Collins, Wilkie. "Mrs. Bullwinkle." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
Figaro [Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "Dramatic Feuilleton." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
"Mixed." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
Trollope, Anthony. "The Gentle Euphemia or Love Shall Be Lord of All." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
[Clapp, Henry Jr.]. "[Editorial Comments]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
"The Pleasures of Middle Age." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
Cooper, George. "The Toiler." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
"A Perpetual Motion-Seeker." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
"[Charles Lamb. Thousands will pause and read]." New-York Saturday Press. (1866-6-12).
"The Young Men of the New York Press." The Independent. (1866-6-17).
Taylor, Bayard. "Friedrich Rückert." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1866-7-1).
Urner, Nathan Dane. "The Rainbow." The Independent. (1866-7-12).
Trinculo [Andrew C. Wheeler]. "The Cholera Comedy." Leader. (1866-7-14).
Bristed, Charles Astor. "Baden-Baden." The Galaxy. New York: W. C. & F. P. Church. (1866-7-15).
Taylor, Bayard. "My Farm: A Fable." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1866-8-1).
Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "A Result of 'The Lambeth Casual'." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-9-1).
Shepherd, N. G.. "Midsummer." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-9-1).
Aldrich, Thomas Bailey. "Miantowona." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1866-10-1).
Curtis, George William. "Stephen A. Douglas." The North American Review. Cedar Falls, Iowa: University of Northern Iowa. (1866-10-1).
Urner, Nathan Dane. "Consolation." The Independent. (1866-10-11).
Carter, Robert. "Gurowski." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1866-11-1).
Shepherd, N. G.. "Lady of My Dreams." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-11-1).
"Art Notes." The Round Table. (1866-11-13).
Shepherd, N. G.. "Drifting." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1866-12-1).
Shanly, Charles Dawson. "Capillary Freaks." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-1-1).
Taylor, Bayard. "The Strange Friend." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-1-1).
Shepherd, N. G.. "The Quiet Hour." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1867-1-1).
Shanley, Charles Dawson. "Summer Hours." The Galaxy. New York: W. C. and F. P. Church (1866-1868); Sheldon and Company (1868-1878). (1867-1-11).
Church, William Conant. "The Policy of Confiscation." The Galaxy. New York: W. C. & F. P. Church. (1867-1-11).
Shanly, Charles Dawson. "Comic Journalism." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-2-1).
Aldrich, T. B.. "The Guerdon." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-2-1).
Shepherd, N. G.. "If I Were Rich." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1867-3-1).
Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "A Brace of Boys." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1867-3-1).
Howland, Edward. "The Bankers of the Poor." The Galaxy. New York: W. C. and F. P. Church (1866-1888)/Sheldon and Company (1868/1878). (1867-3-15).
Taylor, Bayard. "Travel in the United States." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-4-1).
Shepherd, N. G.. "The Shaded Stream." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1867-4-1).
Shanly, Charles Dawson. "Germany in New York." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-5-1).
Urner, Nathan Dane. "The Poet." The Independent. (1867-5-23).
"Lectures and Writings of Emerson." The Living Age. New York: The Living Age Co. (1867-6-11).
Aldrich, T. B.. "A Struggle for Life." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-7-1).
""A statue to Fitz-Greene Halleck."." The New York Times. The New York Times. (1867-7-18).
Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "What Shall They Do to Be Saved?." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper's New Monthly Magazine. (1867-8-1).
Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "A Reformed Ring-Man." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1867-8-1).
Taylor, Bayard. "The Little Land of Appenzell." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-8-1).
Church, William Conant. "The Pacific Railroad." The Galaxy. New York: W. C. & F. P. Church. (1867-8-1).
Shanly, Charles Dawson. "Canadian Woods and Waters." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-9-1).
Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "Pairing Off." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1867-9-1).
Shepherd, N. G.. "Stranded." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1867-9-1).
Taylor, Bayard. "By-Ways of Europe: From Perpignan to Monserrat." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-10-1).
Aldrich, T. B.. "The Flight of the Goddess." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-10-1).
Shanly, Charles Dawson. "The Bowery at Night." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-11-1).
"Death of Fitz-Greene Halleck." The New York Times. The New York Times. (1867-11-21).
Aldrich, T. B.. "A Young Desperado." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-12-1).
Shepherd, N. G.. "The Fog-Bell." Harper's New Monthly Magazine. New York: Harper and Bros. (1867-12-1).
Taylor, Bayard. "By-Ways of Europe: A Visit to the Balearic Islands." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1867-12-1).
Taylor, Bayard. "By-Ways of Europe II. A Visit to the Balearic Islands." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1868-1-1).
Butler, William Allen. "Dobbs, his Ferry." Putnam's Monthly Magazine. New York: G. P. Putnam. (1868-1-1).
Shanly, Charles Dawson. "Convivial Songs." The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: Atlantic Monthly Co. (1868-1-1).
[Briggs, C.F.]. "The Old and the New: A Retrospect and a Prospect." Putnam's Magazine. (1868-1-1).
Ludlow, Fitz Hugh. "The Household Angel." Harper's Bazaar. (1868-1-1).