Victoria Magazine

Happy happy dancing feet!!!  My favorite magazine is being lazarus'd!  Yep it's true.  According to this news release, Hearst, in partnership with Hoffman Media is reviving my Tea Party Lady's most favorite mag, Victoria. 

Color me ecstatic.

If you haven't experienced this magazine, put it on your list.  It was sumptuous! It had the most beautiful photos of antiques, roses, beautiful gardens, silver and china and linens, homes, anything to do with romantic and gracious living.  The articles and features were good, of course, but I have to admit I was addicted to the eye-candy that could be found on almost every page.  I just hope this new Victoria lives up to the standards of the old one.

I still have all my old Victoria magazines, stacked on a shelf.   I confess, not all of them are whole and hale.  Some issues are quite dog-eared from searching for recipes and such.  And some have little teeny cutout holes in the pages. 

I know, I know.  Sacrilege.  But, a few years ago I was decoupaging a tea tray.  Much as I hated to do it, there were no better sources for beautiful pictures of tea things at that time, so I started cutting out little pictures to decoupage onto my tray. GASP.  It seemed vitally important at the time.  Of course I regretted it later, especially when I needed a recipe only to find I had cut out the tea cup on the other side of the page and was missing half the ingredients list! 

There's a url for the mag: www.victoriamag.com, which I assume will have subscription information eventually.  Right now it goes nowhere.  The new Victoria will be coming out in October 2007 (WOOT!), with a Nov/December issue.  Bimonthly just isn't enough for me, but I guess it's better than nothing at all.  (double WOOT!)

Comments

[Laura Kennedy]

I agree with Brenda. If it looks like it did when it died, I'm not interested. Any hope of getting Nancy Lindemeyer back on board, even as an advisor? Her vision was unmatched in magazines anywhere!

[Catherine]

I too, was one of the loyal readers of Victoria--am so happy it's back. Am also concerned that it might not return as the "original Victoria", but am hopeful that the publishers received enough "feedback" from readers that they were sensitive to all the requests to go back to the original format. I'm also an avid reader of "English Home", the closest I've found to "Victoria". It's really a beautiful magazine. Try it if you also love "Victoria".

[lesley lane]

hi just heard the news that my favourite magazine is coming back i live in england and picked up my first copy while on holiday in the states in 1990 and have kept eve.ry one since,roll on october

[Irene]

Jeanne, I'm trying to build my collection and will make special efforts to get that 2nd issue of Fall/Winter after reading how good that issue was! The style is just so classic that it's still appealing after all these years. Hoffman does have huge shoes to fill... I've already shown my support with a 6 month suscription!

[Jeanne Marie]

Donna, The first issue of Victoria was actually a "Spring/Summer 1987" issue. I am lucky enough to have it along with the first 50 issues. It's funny, I was in college when it came out. I saw it on the newsrack, but decided I just couldn't spare the $1.95. When the second one came out (fall and winter) I bought it. Then I really regretted not getting the first one, so I ended up spending $6 to buy it as a back issue!

The second issue is still one of my all-time favorite issues of any magazine. For me, it is absolute magic! Not only was it beautiful, but it smelled wonderful. It had some sort of insert with the smell of a potpourri. Just sitting down with it takes me to a happy, happy place. It's not on my shelf with the others. I must have taken it out to read it and not put it back!

A magazine that can have that effect is a powerful thing! I agree with everyone else about the unfortunate changes not long before it folded. I think they tried to make it more mainstream to save it, but may have hastened the demise. When they changed it, you may have noticed that they changed the nameplate as well. "Victoria" was no longer slanted, but became more upright. The website is using the older, slanted nameplate. I'm taking this as a sign that Hoffman Media knows why people want Victoria back and which version.

I have very high hopes. Anything less than a "return to loveliness" will be a disappointment. Good luck to Hoffman Media. They have HUGE shoes to fill!

[Irene]

Thanks! That would be a good start...

[melissa]

Irene,I have several issues of old VICTORIA that I am willing to part with. I have issues from 1988-2001,not all months,but still a good representation of the magazine. I wish I did have the first issue from 1987,it is a collectors' item. ebay has some issues,but not 1987. The first two years I remember were published four times a year.if you are interested in the collection,contact meat my email address: [email protected]

[Irene]

oops.... here's my email address if anyone would like to contact me about those back issues of Victoria magazine. Thanks! ~Irene

[email protected]

[Irene]

I was just doing some research on Google, trying to find out when the first issue of Victoria magazine was and I happened across this blog on the new release of Victoria. Although I've already suscribed to the new magazine, I'm just starting to look for the old issues.

Does anyone have a collection of the Victoria magazine that they are willing to part with? Since I have none to start with, I'd rather buy a large collection than one issue at a time. Also, I'm still trying to find out which month in 1987 was the first issue.

signed... a Victoria affectionado ~Irene

[donna garton]

WHAT MARVELOUS NEWS!

I HAVE ALL THE OLD ISSUES, WHICH I CARRIED TO ENGLAND WITH ME WHEN I MOVED HERE.

AFTER IT BECAME A BUSINESSWOMEN'S MAG, IT LOST ITS ROMANTIC WAY.

I DO HOPE THEY STICK TO THE ORIGINAL IDEA OF THE MAGAZINE: HOLLEY IS RIGHT.

DONNA

[connie frank]

What a surprise to find Victoria is coming back! I have missed it these past years and also hope like others that it will have the same quality as the lst editor started out with. Please, let's keep it English, Scottish. Irish and Welsh as it began. If it doesn't have the same quality then it will be lost.

[Holley]

I, too, have every copy of Victoria Magazine's original publication. Along with many other readers, I was absolutely devastated when the magazine just disappeared. I regularly get out my old copies and look through them for decorating ideas and just for the sheer sake of a calming afternoon. I am thrilled beyond words that they are bringing my all time favorite mag back! I hope it is as well written as the pre-2001 issues. Glory, Glory!!!!!

[Frances]

I am beside myself with joy over the news that Victoria is to make its debut in November. The only magazine that even comes close to it has been The English Home. and speaking of which, I remember all too well, a photo of an English home in Victoria that had a wonderful yellow sitting room. I tried in vain to get a copy of that particular issue(as I had passed mine on to a nonagenarian) and was never was able to. If anyone knows of what I speak please post.

[Mary E.Dadds]

I Had a subscription before,and when it stopped publication i was told i would get a certain magazine in the place of Victoria.
I would have liked a refund.Never the less im delighted that Victoria is back.
And I am looking forward to getting it in my mailbox.

[mary macdonald]

We in N.Z. ARE DELIGHTED TO HEAR WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR MUCH LOVED AND ENJOYED MAGAZINE AGAIN, PLEASE ADVISE WHEN I CAN ORDER A TWO YEAR SUBSCRIPTION BY EMAIL, I ALSO GET THE SOUTHERNLADY, TEA TIME, VICTORIA HOMES AND ROMATIC HOMES BUT VICTORIA WAS ALWAYS MY FAVOURITE HAVE MOST OF THE OLD ONES AND LOVE TO REREAD THEM EVERY NOW AND AGAIN . AWAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU.. MARY

[Judy K]

Check for Victoria mags on ebay!

I filled in some of the "Holes" in my collection that way.

It was interesting to watch ebay when Victoria first ceased publication. Premier issues were selling at ove $100 apiece, with the others selling from $25-$40 each. Silly people!

[Sulma Abrilz (Sandy)]

Sandi Mooney ditto to everything you said, you expressed my feelings as well. I also have many old issues which every once in a while I read and look at because I missed Victoria so much.

[Sulma Abrilz]

Words cannot espress my joy in knowing that my most favorite magazine is BACK!
I cried when I found out it was being cancelled. Anxiously waiting for my comp. issue. Thanks

[Joni]

I am also very happy that Victoria Magazine is coming back! I have so many old issues that I still look through. Your little site here seems to be a treasure as well.

[Joni]

I am also very happy that Victoria Magazine is coming back! I have so many old issues that I still look through. Your little site here seems to be a treasure as well.

[Sandi Mooney]

I'm back, I just discovered this site, I was looking for info on Victoria Magazine and found this site. Can someone tell me if you become a member, do you chat with other ladies with the same interest? I would love to know so I can join.

[Sandi Mooney]

I still have every issues that was published by Victoria Magazine - every issue!! Through the years I always go back and look through them. I was so, so sad when they stopped publishing them, just couldn't understand why - I called, emailed, and wrote them. So many people loved the magazine. I loved reading about Tasha Tudor and her dogs. And honestly - nothing has compared to Victoria - not even Oprah. Now picture this, last week I walk out to my mail box and I have an invitation to receive the first issue that is going to be published again. I screamed and danced with joy. It's just such a graceful and gracious magazine - if a magazine could be those things, and makes me feel the same way. Walk in amazing grace ladies.

[Frivolitea]

I am thrilled with the news that Victoria will again be published! Also thrilled to have discovered your blog. I'll be back!

[Susan]

What wonderful news that Victoria magazine will once again grace my home. Let's hope the new magazine is in keeping with the original. I still have all the back issues...and only can hope the new issue will be as glossy and intriguing as those of the past!

[Kj]

Wow! I never dreamed that this magazine would be resurrected from the dead! As many have written, it's demise began with compromise in 2001. I never understood how a new century could erase the beauty of an era! Anyway, I am doing a HAPPY DANCE! And, I have already gone to the site to reserve my copy!

[Sherry]

Oops - I meant Angela, not Mrs. U.

Sorry

[Sherry]

I am thrilled that Victoria is coming back! I too wrote a letter against the changes made in 2001 - they totally changed the soul of the magazine.

Note to Mrs. U: For what it's worth, I too was a long-time subscriber. However, I DID receive a postcard from them telling me that Victoria was ceasing and that they were going to send me "X" magazine or I could choose another. Maybe your postcard got lost???

[deborah smith]

Oh happy day.

[Nancy]

It was fun to read all the comments and see that many others felt the exact same way I did about that wonderful magazine, VICTORIA! I, too and so thrilled to know that it is being revived and I hope that it is more like the pre-2000 issues.

[melissa]

hi. I have quite a few back issues of the old VICTORIA. I think they start early 80's. If anyone is interested in buying them,I will look and see what years I have. Melissa
if interested,email me at [email protected]

[Gail]

My mother has all old issues of Victoria magazines (including first issue) can anyone tell me the worth of the magazines. She wants to sell them.

[Lorie]

For anyone looking for old issues, you can always find them on eBay - they are still heavily hunted by those of us who LOVED this magazine.

I'm just thrilled to learn its coming back. I just wonder if they were not staying afloat because they ruined it artistically with the 2001 change. I don't mean to insult but the new editor just did not understand the gist of the magazine. I found myself actually mad at certain issues. Sounds odd, I know, but that's how much that magazine meant to me.

I too have every issue every published and most of the hard bound books sold during the many years it was in publication.

I just can't wait!

[melissa]

this is fabulous news! I just received the invitation to get the first issue. That magazine was my fave and I was sad to see it end. YAY!

[Angela]

I loved the old Victoria Magazine and was a long time subscriber, but when it folded, I was not notified and my subscription money was not refunded. I was upset to be treated that way. I just got an "invitation" to subscribe to the new one in the postal mail and find that quite insulting. Buyer beware.

[Mrs. U]

Hi there!!!
I was doing a Google search for all things Victoria Magazinish and found you! I wanted to let you know that I am celebrating my 1 year anniversary on my blog and one of the prizes is a 2 year subscription to Victoria Magazine!

Just in case you'd like to enter... :)

His,
Mrs. U

[Tracy Kuchar]

I have about 10 years of Victoria magazine from about 1989 to 2000 that I am looking to find a good home for. It seems a shame to me to throw them out because I know that so many people enjoy them, and I read and re-read them many times over the years. If there is anyone who would like some I am willing to ship them to you via UPS for just the cost of the UPS postage. They are in generally good condition with no pages ripped out, only the normal wear that happens to magazines over time. If there is anyone who is interested they can email me at [email protected]

[Charlene Handford Barlow]

Brenda, I just read your comment and I agree. I was not happy with those changes and even wrote the editor. She replied that they were trying to just keep afloat. Apparently, they were low on subscriptions and adv. The fact that so many wanted to purchase back copies and have written to editors of other magazines (such as Romantic Homes) how much they miss this publication is an indication that there is a need here.

[Charlene Handford Barlow]

I, too, was estatic when I heard that Victoria Magazine was going to be revived. I have many back issues and read them over and over. I keep trying to locate some of the early back issues to purchase but have never had any luck. I think we Victoria admirers are a kind of cult. I often wondered why someone did not revive this wonderful magazine. However, it will not be easy to live up to the standards met by the previous editors: Lindemeyer and Kennedy.

Charlene Handford Barlow

[Melissa]

Always buy two copies of your favorite mag. One to read and cut things out of and one to save forever. Ask for an extra subscription as a gift.

[VictoriaGurl78]

What's really great is getting in on the ground floor with the premier issue. I hear it's going to be amazing! Tell ALL your friends!!!

[Kimberly]

The website is up and running. You may do advanced subscriptions now. Woo hoo!

[Mary]

Was anybody else disappointed with the Big Change that took place around 2001? I let my subscription lapse 'cause everything got too modern. I hope the new version is as romantic and pretty as the original.

[Brenda]

Did you know that you can subscribe early to the new Victoria?!!! The number is (205)262-2121

[mary ann]

OMG!!! THIS is wicked great news!! i used to love getting my monthly mags until they disappeared in 2002! i was totally crushed...but wow, this sounds very hopeful!

[Ms Cin]

You know, it's a silly thing, but knowing that people are working on this *right now* puts a big smile on my face.

Have a lovely Thursday!

[Gata]

You just brightened up my year! I have so many back issues and have rhapsodized about Victoria on my blog. I can't believe it's coming back. In the words of Gloria Gaynor, I Will Subscribe! (Huh?)

[Genoire!]

Oh my God!! Thank you! You have just made my day!! I wanted to cry when this magazine went out of print!!

Love your blog, btw :-).