ackermann’s repository of arts
Internet Archive – a wonderful resource – includes the following issues of this periodical on its website. Needless to say, such a collection is priceless to the researcher. Such magazines were possibly read by the likes of the Smiths and Goslings, but more importantly they are now windows into the past.
1809 – 1st half (vol. 1); 2nd half (vol. 2)
1810 – 1st half (vol. 3); 2nd half (vol. 4)
1811 – 1st half (vol. 5); 2nd half (vol. 6)
1812 – 1st half (vol. 7); 2nd half (vol. 8 )
1813 – 1st half (vol. 9); 2nd half (vol. 10)
1814 – 1st half (vol. 11); 2nd half (vol. 12)
1815 – 1st half (vol. 13); 2nd half (vol. 14)
1816 – 1st half (series 2, vol. 1); 2nd half (series 2, vol. 2)
1817 – 1st half (vol. 3); 2nd half (vol. 4)
1818 – 1st half (vol. 5); 2nd half (vol. 6)
1819 – 1st half (vol. 7); 2nd half (vol. 8 )
1820 – 1st half (vol. 9); 2nd half (vol. 10)
1821 – 1st half (vol. 11); 2nd half (vol. 12)
1822 – 1st half (vol. 13); 2nd half (vol. 14)
1823 – 1st half (series 3, vol. 1); 2nd half (series 3, vol. 2)
1824 – 1st half (vol. 3); 2nd half (vol. 4)
1825 – 1st half (vol. 5); 2nd half (vol. 6)
1826 – 1st half (vol. 7); 2nd half (vol. 8 )
1827 – 1st half (vol. 9); 2nd half (vol. 10)
1828 – 1st half (vol. 11); 2nd half (vol. 12)
“Engines of our Ingenuity” has much to say about Rudolph Ackermann, including this about the ‘future’ uses of his Repository: “Historians of art, architecture, decorative arts, and costume have mined Ackermann’s magazine repeatedly over the years. Film and theater designers borrow costumes and interiors from its pages. Productions of the works of Jane Austen, in particular, often derive from The Repository, since Austen published her novels during the same years Ackermann produced his magazine. Consequently, our vision of Austen’s characters and their world has been shaped by Ackermann’s illustrations.” More important is the comment that the issues of The Repository “depict early 19th-century England with amazing detail and vibrancy“.
Two Teens in the Time of Austen 
Christopher Page said,
May 14, 2012 at 5:01 am
Wonderful site, and of great interest to me having spent several days reading Emma’s (and other) diaries in Winchester for references to music. Would love to be in touch with you. You can find me among the Fellows on the college website mentioned below.
Janeite Kelly said,
May 14, 2012 at 9:26 am
Hi, Christopher — will hook up as soon as I get a few minutes. Yes, I’d love to “talk Emma”! Her diaries include so much of interest regarding London’s musical scene — although just once I wish people would REALLY comment on their thoughts. Alas…
later,
k
Christopher Page said,
May 14, 2012 at 9:31 am
Dear Janeite, Happy to talk thoughts any time! My interest is in the social and musical history of the guitar, and I was pleaded to find Emma trekking out to Newbury to hear Huerta, one of the great guitar virtuosi of the day. Otherwise, both she and Eliza write as if the contemporary guitar craze was not happening. They probably thought the instrument too casual, cheap, limited or low-brow, and yet it was good enough for Princes Charlotte, who studied it.
Janeite Kelly said,
May 14, 2012 at 9:36 am
Just had to log back in to say that your comment on the guitar makes me think of Le nozze di Figaro – and the charming duet of the Countess and Susannah. Once I get home, I’ll have to look up the Huerta in Newbury (ah, so you must be in the later diaries if she’s in Newbury).
k
Christopher Page said,
May 14, 2012 at 9:43 am
You see I have everything to learn! Was she living in Newbury in 1830? The reference is Saturday 27 March for that year.
Christopher Page said,
May 25, 2012 at 6:51 am
Have just surveyed the whole of the Ackerman on this site. Marvellous. I am very grateful. Just one warning – if anyone needs it: the search facility misses much. Its the same with filtered searches on Google Books. There’s no recourse but to scan every page with the eye.
Janeite Kelly said,
May 25, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Hi, Chris — isn’t books.google annoying sometimes; yet who can argue when they DO have these treasures?!
Let me know if you find more volumes; I’d be happy to include the links (or update any links).
k