Bibliography | Manuscript Collections | Trade Publications | Databases

Trade Publications

Historical Collections at Baker Library contains long runs of dozens of rare or ephemeral business publications that demonstrate change over time in a particular trade or industry. Editorials and other articles offer qualitative insight, while regular features updating readers on sales, prices, and other data can be tabulated and used by scholars and researchers as the basis for quantitative analysis. In some cases, professional organizations preserved data that can fill gaps in the better-known and more readily available body of statistical information collected by state and local governments.

Below is a small sampling of Baker’s holdings. For other titles and industries, consult the HOLLIS catalog or a Historical Collections reference librarian at histcollref@hbs.edu. Click on the links to see one or more sample issues.

  1. Report of sales of stocks and bonds ([Boston]: Boston Stock Exchange, 1852-1876, 1922 [Gaps]).
    Full text available as a networked resource.

  2. The Credit World: The Official Organ of the Retail Credit Men’s National Association (St. Louis, Mo.: The Association, 1921-1970).
    Full text (September, 1921 – August, 1922) available as a networked resource

  3. Hunt’s Merchants’ Magazine ([New York: Freeman Hunt, 1839-1848). Continued by Hunt’s Merchants’ Magazine and Commercial Review (New York: Freeman Hunt, 1848-1861).
    Note: issues from 1839-1870 online with American Periodicals Series Online, 1740-1900 (Harvard users only: Harvard ID and University PIN required)
    Note: issues from 1929 (July - December) online with Google

  4. Trust Companies of the United States (New York: United States Mortgage and Trust Co, 1903-1928).
    Note: issues from 1922 online with Google

  5. The Mercantile Adjuster and the Lawyer and Credit Man: A Monthly Magazine Devoted to Credits and Collections (New York: The Mercantile Adjuster Publishing Company, 1921-57)
    Full text (July – December, 1921) available as a networked resource.

  6. Best’s Insurance News (New York: A.M. Best Company, 1899-1938).
    Note: issue from 1909 online with Google

  7. Copper Curb and Mining Outlook; the Truth Regarding Mining and Investments Throughout the World (New York: O.F. Jonassen & Co. [etc.], 1907-1917).
    Full text (1911-1917) available as a networked resource. (Harvard users only: Harvard ID and University PIN required)

  8. The Coal Trade Journal (New York: s.n., 1882-1926).
    Full text (July – December, 1920)available as a networked resource

  9. The Iron Age (New York, 1874-1975).
    Note: issues from April, 1922 – June, 1922 online with Google

  10. Real Estate Record and Builder’s Guide (Brooklyn, N.Y: F.W. Dodge, 1868-1961).
    Note: issues from March-November, 1870 online with Google

  11. Lloyd’s Register of British and Foreign Shipping (London: Cox and Wyman, printers, 1764-1913).
    Note: issues from July, 1878 – June, 1979 online with Google

  12. Manual of the Railroads of the United States (New York: H.V. & H.W. Poor, 1868-1918).
    Full text (1868-1880) available as a networked resource

  13. Automobile Topics (New York: s.n., 1900-1948).
    Full text (August – September, 1922) available as a networked resource

  14. Transport World (London: Carriers Publishing Co., ltd, 1898-1968).
    Note: issues from July – December, 1908 online with Google

  15. Ice and Refrigeration (H.S. Rich & Co., 1892-1853).
    Note: issues from July – December, 1913 online with Google

  16. Telegraph and Telephone Age (later Wire & Radio Communications) (New York, 1883-1965).
    Note: issues from January –December, 1916 online with Google

  17. The Moving Picture World (Later Exhibitors’ Herald World and Motion Picture Herald) (New York: Chalmers Pub. Co, 1907-1972).
    Note: issues from January – June, 1909 online with Google

  18. Spice Mill (New York: The Spice Mill Publishing Co, 1878-1913). Continued by Simmon’s Spice Mill: Devoted to the Interests of the Coffee, Tea and Spice Trades (New York, N.Y: Spice Mill Publishing Co, 1913-1920).
    Note: issues from January – June, 1916 online with Google

  19. The Louisiana Planter and Sugar Manufacturer (New Orleans: Louisiana Planter and Sugar Manufacturer Co., etc., 1888-1914).
    Note: issues from July – December, 1916 online with Google