Harper's Weekly, A Journal of Civilization was an American political magazine published weekly by Harper & Brothers. Launched in 1857, each issue featured foreign and domestic news reports and original essays on a variety of topics, alongside illustrations, as well as short stories and other literary works. Consequently, it was the first American magazine to publish a Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Cardboard Box in January, 1893. 

The magazine was particularly noted for its extensive coverage of the American Civil War, including many images from the frontline. Indeed, illustrations became an important part of the magazine’s identity, featuring the works of some of the most renowned illustrators of the time, notably Winslow Homer, Granville Perkins, David Hunter Strother popularly known by his pseudonym, "Porte Crayon", and Livingston Hopkins, as well as Theodore R. Davis, Henry Mosler, and the brothers Alfred and William Waud. 

During its most influential period, the political cartoons of German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840–1902)—recruited in 1862 and often referred to as the father of American political cartooning—were a regular feature. Nast was the first to use an elephant as the symbol of the Republican Party, while his depiction of Santa Claus became strongly associated with the festive figure in America, who was popularized as part of Christmas customs in the late nineteenth century.

The magazine ceased publication in 1916 and was absorbed by The Independent, which in turn merged with The Outlook in 1928. In 1974, Harper's Magazine used the Weekly title for a spinoff publication, which depended on contributions from readers for much of its content. Published biweekly for most of its run, the revived periodical ceased after two years.

The Internet Archive Collection contains microfilm published between 1857 and 1916, and 1975 to 1976.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper%27s_Weekly

The ISSN is 0360-2397

Publication History:

The Independent 2690-1862 Absorbed by (1916) USA United States