Forget-Me-Not (annual)
Encyclopedia
The Forget-Me-Not was an illustrated, British annual published by Rudolph Ackermann
. This was the first literary annual in English and it was edited by Frederic Shoberl
from its launch in 1822. A junior version appeared in 1828.
as editor. This annual was a new concept it combined some aspects that had been seen in England with new ideas Ackermann had brought from Germany. The idea of an "Annual" was new and was aimed primarily at a female market and exploited the lowering cost of publishing. A marked difference was that Ackermann was willing to commission engravings and then request a story or poem to accompany it. This was a major difference from previously when the writer saw themselves as leading the imaginative process. By 1828, there were fifteen different "literary annuals" and they were selling 100,000 copies at prices between eight shillings and three pounds. By 1831 there were 61 titles and this phenomenon lasted until 1846 when the variety was whittled back to 16 titles.
The idea of a diary and almanac was familiar to English readers but this new annual contained twelve engravings to commemorate each month. The annual had a historical review of the previous year and the recent census, a family tree for the monarchy of Britain and a list of sovereign families and ambassadors for other kingdoms.
Poetry that was published includes works by Hester Thrale
, Sir Walter Scott and Mary Wollstonecraft
. Many of the artists who had their work included were Royal Academicians
and a considerable fee would have been paid. Once engraved the artwork was then used to solicit accompanying texts.
Forget Me Not was published annually until 1847 and there was a single publication for the year 1856. Ackermann also employed Shoberl as editor from 1828 to 1832 of the juvenile version of the annual.The literary annual's popularity waned and publications ceased in England, although the genre was still popular in America for some time. The Forget-Me-Not publications are being digitised because of their value. The artwork and text have been digitised.
Rudolph Ackermann
Rudolph Ackermann was an Anglo-German bookseller, inventor, lithographer, publisher and businessman.- Biography :...
. This was the first literary annual in English and it was edited by Frederic Shoberl
Frederic Shoberl
Frederic Shoberl , also known as Frederick Schoberl, was an English journalist, editor, translator and writer. Schoberl edited Forget Me Not, the first literary annual, issued at Christmas "for 1823" and translated The Hunchback of Notre Dame.-Biography:Shoberl was born in London in 1775, and...
from its launch in 1822. A junior version appeared in 1828.
History
In November 1822 Rudolf Ackermann published Forget-Me-Not: A Christmas and New Years Present for 1823. This was the first literary annual. From the first edition he employed Frederic ShoberlFrederic Shoberl
Frederic Shoberl , also known as Frederick Schoberl, was an English journalist, editor, translator and writer. Schoberl edited Forget Me Not, the first literary annual, issued at Christmas "for 1823" and translated The Hunchback of Notre Dame.-Biography:Shoberl was born in London in 1775, and...
as editor. This annual was a new concept it combined some aspects that had been seen in England with new ideas Ackermann had brought from Germany. The idea of an "Annual" was new and was aimed primarily at a female market and exploited the lowering cost of publishing. A marked difference was that Ackermann was willing to commission engravings and then request a story or poem to accompany it. This was a major difference from previously when the writer saw themselves as leading the imaginative process. By 1828, there were fifteen different "literary annuals" and they were selling 100,000 copies at prices between eight shillings and three pounds. By 1831 there were 61 titles and this phenomenon lasted until 1846 when the variety was whittled back to 16 titles.
The idea of a diary and almanac was familiar to English readers but this new annual contained twelve engravings to commemorate each month. The annual had a historical review of the previous year and the recent census, a family tree for the monarchy of Britain and a list of sovereign families and ambassadors for other kingdoms.
Poetry that was published includes works by Hester Thrale
Hester Thrale
Hester Lynch Thrale was a British diarist, author, and patron of the arts. Her diaries and correspondence are an important source of information about Samuel Johnson and 18th-century life.-Biography:Thrale was born at Bodvel Hall, Caernarvonshire, Wales...
, Sir Walter Scott and Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. During her brief career, she wrote novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a history of the French Revolution, a conduct book, and a children's book...
. Many of the artists who had their work included were Royal Academicians
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
and a considerable fee would have been paid. Once engraved the artwork was then used to solicit accompanying texts.
Forget Me Not was published annually until 1847 and there was a single publication for the year 1856. Ackermann also employed Shoberl as editor from 1828 to 1832 of the juvenile version of the annual.The literary annual's popularity waned and publications ceased in England, although the genre was still popular in America for some time. The Forget-Me-Not publications are being digitised because of their value. The artwork and text have been digitised.