This publication was a monthly magazine based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was established by a group of engravers to "give to the public a work descriptive, not merely of subjects, scenes, places, and persons existing in distant climes, but also of those which are to be found in our own fine and native country". It featured profusely illustrated articles on many topics, including American animals, plants, natural scenery, colleges, banks, hospitals, churches, cities, technology, and so on; as well as biographical articles on figureheads of the revolutionary and federal eras. Modelled after the British Penny Magazine, it was published first by the Boston Bewick Company, then by William D. Ticknor and John L. Sibley. In 1836 Nathaniel Hawthorne served as editor. The Boston Bewick Co. was affiliated with Abel Bowen; George W. Boynton; Lewis H. Bridgham; Daniel H. Craig; William Croome; John C. Crossman; George A. Curtis; Nicholas B. Devereux, Jr.; John Downes; John H. Hall; Alonzo Hartwell; Freeman Hunt, and Richard P. Mallory. The firm kept offices on Court Street in Boston.