I found this bit of news for all you ladies who loved Victoria magazine and wondered if you’d ever get to enjoy it again.

I had wondered what the heck happened to this beautiful lifestyle publication. Well,
now I know!

Per the Hearst Corporation site:

HOFFMAN MEDIA, LLC AND HEARST MAGAZINES FORM JOINT VENTURE TO RE-LAUNCH VICTORIA
The Magazine about Romantic Living to Debut October 2007

Birmingham, Ala., April 26, 2007—Hoffman Media, LLC, publisher of the successful magazine Cooking with Paula Deen, today announced that it has partnered with Hearst Magazines to re-introduce Victoria, a magazine that ceased publication in 2003. The two companies have formed a joint venture for the purpose of publishing Victoria and ancillary media products and events under the Victoria brand name. Owned and operated solely by Hearst from 1987 to 2003, Victoria will now be entirely under the direction of Hoffman Media, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hoffman will handle all editorial, production, distribution and advertising for Victoria. Hearst will contribute the Victoria trademark, copyright, URL (www.victoriamag.com), subscription database, and access to historical content of both editorial and art.

Founded in 1987 by Nancy Lindemeyer, Victoria was the authority on romantic living, including home and garden, fashion and beauty, food, home decorating, collectibles and profiles of remarkable women. Its mission was to create a community of kindred spirits – those who recognize the importance of beauty and manners and traditions in daily life. In its new form, Victoria magazine will once again take its place as the official guide to gracious living.

Victoria will be published bi-monthly with its first issue hitting newsstands in October 2007 with a November/December issue. The magazine will carry a cover price of $4.99. Hoffman Media’s launch plans for Victoria include heavy newsstand distribution, strong internet presence, and targeted direct mail campaigns. The ultimate goal for the launch of this bi-monthly magazine will be to reach 250,000 paid copies after just two issues.

“Victoria magazine had a unique editorial perspective and a loyal readership since its very first issue in 1987,” said Cathleen P. Black, president, Hearst Magazines. “Because of its success in the niche women’s lifestyle market, Hoffman is the right publisher to bring the Victoria brand back to life in its new format and we are confident that Phyllis and her team will do a great job.”

While Hearst ceased publication of Victoria following the June 2003 issue, the brand has lived on through a series of branded books published by Sterling Books.

“Women across the country have longed to have their beloved Victoria back and now they will,” said Phyllis Hoffman, CEO, Hoffman Media. “Victoria is a perfect fit for our roster of lifestyle titles that share a similar editorial and demographic focus. We’re thrilled to be working with Hearst to revive this brand for a more targeted audience of women.”

I’ll continue poring through Veranda in the meantime. But when October rolls around, wild horses won’t be able to pull me away from my Victoria mag…not even (gasp!)
Town & Country!

What girl doesn’t like to lounge in bed on a Sunday morning snacking on scones while flipping through the pages of Victoria magazine? My prayer has been answered!