I still enjoy it but I have the same criticisms that you do. The previous editor did the same thing, bringing too much of her personal business to the magazine, like all her fabulous trips, etc.

I really miss the photography of, I'm sure I'm getting he name wrong, Toshi (?).

Perhaps it is still in it's awkward teenage stage.

I am another of your ilk. It is a pleasant magazine now...but I don't save these copies like I did the old ones-I read it, pull out what I want, and donate the corpse to the collage box at school.

I am disappointed. It has changed to a rest room magazine rather than the tea time treat it was before. The last issue was very disappointing, and I'm very sorry that I resubscribed. It is more of an advertising item than a reading item. Even the slightly interesting article about white fabric items recently was just a promotion for the woman's shop. I may contact them and ask for a refund.

However...the article on Tasha Tudor...was very interesting and nicely written. I am going to "tear" it out and save it in my "essays" binder.

I completely agree with all of you! It is such a disappointment and not worth the cost of subscription. The issues are not worth saving. The articles lack depth. I absolutely detest the writings by Alexandra Stoddard. Even the recipes are not up to the high standard of before.

As for the ads, just remember that the previous publication folded due to the lack of enough quality advertising.

In a way I'm glad to see the disappointment here. I had never seen the previous Victoria but subscribed this time because of the excitement of RPers. I liked the first issue but after that I just didn't get why it was so appreciated and thought there was something wrong with me. I did not renew my subscription.

On reading this over, I don't mean to say I'm happy others are disappointed about something they looked forward to so much but rather that it isn't just me.

When the beautiful Victoria magazine first came out- My mother and I both adored it. We saved different articles/photo spreads for almost 16 years! I was chrushed when they decided to stop the publication a few years ago. Of course, the new magazine is just not the same. It doesn't have the same quality and elegance that the old magazine had. Sometime you just can not go back.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I wasn't sure if it was just my perception or if the magazine really wasn't as good as the original. I received my renewal notice in the mail this past week and I've been debating whether or not to get it for another year and hope it improves, or just decline. I think I will be saying good-bye after all. I just wish I'd saved my issues of the old Victoria.

I, for one, have saved my old issues of Victoria. They take up one half of an entire bookshelf. I guess when I move, they will move with me. What I miss most are the features set in different countries, with lifestyles, gardens, and architecture. I especially liked the feature set in Turkey, from the old Victoria, one of the last before they ended.

A friend here subscribed to the new Victoria and they cut her subscription short, reason unknown.

You can get old issues on Ebay, if you want to complete a collection or start one.

It seems this new Victoria is someone's vanity project. If I had a magic wand, I would replace the editor and dump Alexandra Stoddard. I still hope it will develop into something a bit more worthwhile - the market certainly exists.

I have a few old issues of Victoris. They are too beautiful to throw away!

A complete collection of the old Victoria magazine here -- and great disappointment with the current format.

But -- I did contact Peg Kennedy when she took over as the new (and final) editor of the old Victoria -- and brought about its final collapse. Problems? Too expensive to produce, too few ads -- and readers "seemed to be more interested in Hearst's other magazines" like Country Living. So -- in short -- much of Victoria's content and money went into Country Living and Traditional Home. Sigh.

Frankly -- I am disappointed in their choice of Stoddard -- although I do like some of her earlier works about home and decor. Wish she would stick to those topics. But there are so many writers out in the marketplace that both write and blog about home decor -- which might be a better, fresher choice!

As for the music CD -- the original Victoria did offer wonderful music CDs -- and I thought that they would go for similar ones ----- but once again --- I guessed wrong!

Jan

I have one of the Christmas CDs from the first Victoria.

We should send the link to this thread to the editors. They need to know what their bread and butter is thinking!

CC- I was just think the same thing- I think I will copy this and send it to them.

I concur -- good idea!

I also agree. I really was so excited when I thought it was coming back.
Are their any other Victorian magazines out there, or is this the only one.

I just opened Reader's Paradise to see what people are reading and I was so surprised to see this posting. I still have stacks and stacks of my old Victoria magazines...I cherish them. I was so sad when they decided to stop publishing.

Then after reading all these posts I don't think I will subscribe (sight unseen) just yet. I think I'll pick it up at the newstand to see how I like it. "If" it was the Victoria of years past I would pay DOUBLE what they are asking without hesitation...but now I'm not so sure.

I hope the publishers see our posts.

~Susan

Deborah, if you do send this on, I would be fascinated to see what kind of response you get.

OK, I'm mailing it today. I did go ahead and pick up the new issue and it was a little better.

sheriz and deborah...I did send a link...and have gotten no response as yet. Not even an acknowledgement.

I sent an email with an attachment and I did get one of those "Thanks for your email, someone will respond soon, but don't respond to this"

well, I decided to re-up for one more year. I'll see if they fix the problems and if not....bye bye.

If they do not improve both service and magazine, they may not even last one more year....

true-we'll see. Mine have all come on time, at least.

Well, I got a bit of a response form Victoria- they said they got my letter and were reviewing it and that they would be responding. It was not the generic email response it was from the head of the customer service. So.....we'll see.

So sorry this turned out this way. What a disappointment to dedicated readers. I was not an original subscriber, but picked up an issue at the newsstand to see what intrigued people. I found it pleasant but slight, and passed my copy along.

Rosefolly

I just leafed through the newest issue at our grocery store and could only think "this is not worth paying $5!" I was, however, gratified to see that the magazine had done a 2 page tribute to the incomparable Tasha Tudor....

The Tasha Tudor piece was like a glimpse of the old Victoria, very nicely done.