St. Nicholas Scribner's Illustrated Magazine for Girls and Boys. This was a magazine first published in 1873. It often published well-known authors of the era. Single books were expensive; therefore, the much cheaper magazine was affordable for the general masses and enabled them to read popular authors. Louisa M. Alcott published Little Women in 1868. By 1875, she was very well known and loved by all young readers. The hardcover book Eight Cousins was published in 1875, and St. Nicholas magazine publication of the full book version but in chapters per issue. Chapters 1 and 2 were first published in January 1875. I do not know what month the book was released. The St. Nicholas publication of the first two chapters may have been out first to be used as a teaser to help promote the book. Each of the ten volumes is original. Only three still have the paper cover of the magazine. The edges of the pages show the most wear. I have no trouble turning the pages. They are bound with string. 10" X 7". Free shipping within the U.S.
January 1875: Chapters 1 and 2
February 1875: Chapters 3 and 4
March 1875: Chapters 5 and 6
April 1875: Chapters 7 and 8
May 1875: Chapters 9 and 10
June 1875: Chapters 11 and 12
July 1875: Chapters 13 and 14 and 15
August 1875: Chapters 16 and 17 and 18
September 1875: Chapters 19 and 20 and 21
October 1875: Chapters 22 and 23 and 24 The End