The ‘Royal American Magazine’ was a monthly periodical launched in Boston in January 1774. It was published by Isaiah Thomas. Issued on the eve of the American Revolution it’s politics was particularly interesting. The sentiment was patriot and revolutionary and it claimed amongst its contributors John Hancock and Paul Revere. The Magazine tried to breach a blend of British material with the interests of American patriots. The masthead of the magazine features an engraving by Paul Revere; it portrays an Indian presenting a calumet to as Mott describes it ‘an ill-drawn figure representing the Genius of Knowledge’. At the time of first publication it had been over a year since a Magazine had been issued in the colonies. Throughout the whole of 1774 the ‘Royal American Magazine’ was the only one being published in the American colonies. It included ‘Conventional essays; articles on politics, medicine, agriculture, education, literature, and religion; advice to the ladies; fiction; ‘poetical essays’; and current events, including marriages, deaths, and meteorological tables’ (Mott). ‘The publication of twenty-two copper plates in the Royal American marked an epoch in magazine history in this country’ (Mott).

In June Thomas announced he was suspending the publication ‘for a few Months, until the Affairs of this Country are a little better settled’. He cited ‘the Distresses of the Town of Boston, by the shutting up of our Port, and throwing all Ranks of Men into Confusion’. He actually fled to Worcester. Mott states publication resumed in September but this example shows that an August issue was published. The cover states ‘Having informed you in No. VI for June, that I should for reasons mentioned, suspend the Magazine for a few Months … I have agreed with Joseph Greenleaf, Esq; to carry on the Publication’.

An article in this issue explaining the production of Salt-petre is illustrated with a copper plate engraved by Paul Revere. Salt-petre was used in the production of gunpowder. It announces the passing of the ‘act for the better providing suitable quarters for officers and soldiers in his Majesty’s service in North-America’. ‘Domestic Intelligence’ reports that Samuel Adams and John Adams amongst other delegates ‘set out from hence, attended by a number of gentlemen … to attend the general Congress to be holden at Philadelphia’. It also reports ‘General gage has, at sundry times, used his utmost endeavours to prevent town-meetings, & c. but all to no purpose’. Publication ceased after the battle of Lexington. Provenance: Tom Moebs November 2001; private collection. Evans 13590, Brigham ‘Revere engravings’ pp. 79-92, pl. 38; Mott pp. 83-6.