In 1850; the Harpers decided to commence the publication of a monthly periodical, and, accordingly, in the summer of that year they issued the first number of “Harper’s New Monthly Magazine,” which, in point of popularity, stands today, after a career of twenty years, at the head of American magazines, and boasts of a circulation of 180,000 copies.  The recognition of another want of the public led, in 1857, to the establishment of an illustrated newspaper, “Harper’s Weekly,” which has at present a circulation of 100,000 copies.  In 1869 they began the publication of a new weekly fashion paper, called “the Bazaar,” which has reached a circulation of 75,000 copies.

From the first, the Harpers made their house a popular establishment.  They sought public favor by legitimate means, and generally managed to retain it in the same way.  From an early period in their history, their imprint on a book has been sufficient to secure its sale; and they have managed to identify themselves so thoroughly with American progress that the whole country feels an interest in their success.  By studying the popular taste closely, they were enabled to publish in rapid succession works suited to it; and by fair and liberal dealings with authors they soon drew around them a corps of the best writers in the Union.

Their success was rapid, and by the year 1853 their establishment had increased in size so much that it occupied “nine large contiguous buildings, full of costly machinery of every kind, with stores of plates and books.”  On the 10th of December of that year, a workman in one of the upper rooms carelessly threw a piece of lighted paper into what he supposed to be a pail of water, but which proved to be camphene.  In a few minutes the building was in flames; all efforts to save it were in vain.  The fire spread rapidly, and in a few hours the entire establishment was in ruins.  The loss was one million of dollars, of which sum only about one-fourth was covered by insurance.

It was a terrible blow, but James Harper and his brothers wasted no time in repining.  Before the embers had ceased smoking they were taking active measures to reestablish their business.  From the wreck of their establishment they saved a part of the stereotype plates, which had been stored in the vaults, out of the way of the fire.  They immediately rented Sheffield’s paper warehouse, at the corner of Beckman and Gold Streets, and went to work with greater energy than ever.  “Presses were employed in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.  Nothing was forgotten.  The next monthly issue of the Magazine had been made ready, and it was reproduced at the earliest moment.  One regular contributor, then in Chicago, received the first news of the fire by a brief telegram:  ’Copy destroyed.  Send fresh copy immediately.’  Before the ruins were cleared away the plans of the new buildings were ready, and the buildings themselves were rapidly finished.”