I’ve always wondered—what newspapers and magazines were published in Kharkiv before 1917? What did the residents of our city read? And how often? After all, newspapers and magazines were an important and integral part of that distant era…

When we hear the phrase “Kharkiv newspapers and magazines,” many of us will think of the *Kharkiv Provincial Gazette* and *Yuzhny Krai*…

But is that all? After all, in 1902, 17 periodicals were published in Kharkiv. Few people know this, but the *Russian Journal of Skin and Venereal Diseases*, published in Kharkiv and founded by the distinguished dermatologist I.F. Zelenev, was in fact the VERY FIRST publication of its kind in the ENTIRE vast Russian Empire.

Below is a slightly abridged version of the complete list of Kharkiv publications for 1902. Nevertheless, I believe that some of the facts and details will clearly be of interest. The list includes: the title, the year of publication, the frequency of publication, and the price.

Subscription prices that do not specify shipping and delivery include the cost of the publication plus shipping and delivery:

1. "Medical Chronicle of the Kharkiv Province," published monthly, now in its 6th year. Price: 2 rubles;
2. "Faith and Reason." Published by the Kharkiv Theological Seminary, twice a month. 19th year, 10 rubles; 12 rubles for subscribers;
3. "Journal of Internal Medicine," published twice a month, 2nd year, 5 rubles;
4. "Journal of Homeopathic Medicine," monthly, 3rd year, 3 issues;
5. "Journal of Agriculture and Industry," weekly, 2nd year, 5 rubles;
6. "Gornozavodskiy Listok," published twice a month, in its 15th year, 6 rubles;
7. "Proceedings of the Imperial University of Kharkiv," published four times a year, 26th year. For students: 2 rubles; for non-students: 4 rubles without shipping, 5 rubles with shipping;
8. "News of the South Russian Society of Technologists," published monthly, except in June, July, and August. Vol. 7, 2 rubles 50 kopecks;
9. "Mirny Trud," 5 issues per year, 1st year, 6 rubles;
10. "Industrial Horticulture and Vegetable Gardening," a weekly publication, now in its 4th year, Vol. 3. The newspaper distributes seeds, cuttings, and the like free of charge or on particularly favorable terms;
11. "Russian Journal of Skin and Venereal Diseases," monthly, 2nd year. With delivery and shipping—8 rubles. (The first of its kind in Russia. Founded by the distinguished dermatologist I.F. Zelenev);
12. "Sputnik of the Southern Region"—published as material becomes available; now in its 9th year. Free;
13. "Kharkiv Information Bulletin" (news on trade, industry, technology, art, and crafts) — twice a week, 5th year, 7 rubles;
14. "Kharkiv Provincial Gazette," daily, 65-year subscription. Without delivery—8 rubles 25 kopecks; with delivery—9 rubles 25 kopecks; with shipping—10 rubles;
15. "South Russian Agricultural Gazette," weekly, 7th year. Without delivery or forwarding: 3 rubles; with delivery and forwarding: 4 rubles; for society members: 2 rubles; with delivery and forwarding: 3 rubles;
16. "Yuzhny Krai"—daily, 22nd year, 10 rubles; with shipping—11 rubles;
17. "Circulars for the Kharkiv Educational District," published monthly, now in its 42nd year, free of charge.

Sources:

• "All of Russia: A Russian Encyclopedia of Industry, Trade, Agriculture, and Administration"—1902.
• Lesovoy, V. N., and Pertseva, Zh. N., "Heads of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology at the Kharkiv Higher Medical School from a Historical Perspective."
  To be continued…