Description
Collector's Note – Why This Issue Matters
The December 6, 1982 issue of The New Yorker is documented in the listing as a full vintage magazine featuring a “Study Table” cover by Eugene Mihaesco. That cover attribution gives the issue a clear visual identity, which is especially important for collectors of New Yorker cover art. Mihaesco’s work fits within the magazine’s long tradition of intelligent, understated illustration, where a single image could suggest a cultural mood without relying on sensational cover lines. For collectors who study the magazine through its covers, a dated issue with a named artist and titled cover subject provides a useful reference point in the larger chronology of New Yorker illustration.
The December 1982 date places the issue in the early 1980s, a period when American magazines still played a major role in shaping cultural conversation. The New Yorker was known for commentary, criticism, humor, fiction, cartoons, and literary observation, making each dated issue a compact record of the intellectual and social atmosphere of its week. The listing describes this issue as reflecting the artistic trends and cultural themes of the early 1980s, which makes it relevant not only as a collectible magazine, but also as a period artifact of American print culture. A late-year issue like this also preserves the magazine’s editorial rhythm near the close of 1982, when weekly print culture still gave readers a structured way to encounter literature, criticism, humor, and visual art.
Because the provided listing confirms the date, title, Eugene Mihaesco cover, no-label presentation, and general editorial character, those are the most reliable points of significance. The description refers broadly to engaging articles, classic illustrations, humor, criticism, and cultural commentary, but it does not provide a verified table of contents, article titles, author names, or specific interior features. For serious collectors, that distinction matters: the issue can be described confidently by its cover, date, publication identity, and condition notes, while unconfirmed interior details should not be invented. This makes the issue most useful as a documented cover-art and date-specific New Yorker reference rather than as a source for specific article claims.
About the Publication
The New Yorker is an American weekly magazine known for literary journalism, essays, criticism, fiction, poetry, cartoons, humor, and distinctive illustrated covers. By 1982, it had long established itself as one of the most recognizable cultural magazines in the United States, with an audience drawn to sophisticated writing, urban observation, political commentary, literary work, and visual wit. Its editorial format made each issue both a reading experience and a collectible object, with the cover art, cartoons, advertisements, typography, and dated publication context all contributing to its historical value. Complete issues are especially useful to collectors because they preserve the magazine as it was originally encountered, rather than reducing it to a detached cover or isolated article. The magazine’s weekly schedule also gives each issue a precise bibliographic identity, which helps collectors build runs, trace cover artists, and study the changing visual and editorial tone of the publication across decades.
Key Highlights Inside
- Full issue of The New Yorker dated December 6, 1982, preserving the publication as a complete weekly magazine rather than only a detached cover or partial selection of pages.
- Cover identified in the listing as “Study Table” by Eugene Mihaesco, making the front-cover artwork the central documented point of collector interest.
- No label is noted, preserving the cover presentation without a mailing or address label interrupting the artwork.
- Listing describes the issue as reflecting the magazine’s early-1980s editorial voice, including humor, criticism, cultural commentary, and classic illustration.
- Comes with a plastic protective covering, according to the condition notes, which is relevant for reducing additional handling wear over time.
- Specific article titles, contributors, fiction pieces, cartoons, and page-by-page contents are not confirmed in the provided listing, so those details should not be assumed without examining a verified table of contents.
Condition & Rarity
The listing describes the magazine as being in good condition, with minor wear typical for a publication of its age. It also notes a plastic protective covering and identifies the issue as having no label, which is an important collector detail for illustrated magazines because labels can disrupt the original cover composition. Natural signs of aging are expected in a weekly magazine from 1982, particularly along edges, corners, and areas handled during reading. When evaluating surviving examples of this issue, collectors generally look for cover cleanliness, page completeness, spine integrity, absence of major markings, and whether the Eugene Mihaesco cover remains visually strong. A label-free cover and protective covering are favorable preservation points, especially for collectors who value New Yorker issues as examples of magazine illustration as well as literary periodicals. In collector terms, the strongest examples of this issue would be those that retain a clean, readable interior and an uninterrupted cover image, since the “Study Table” artwork is the most clearly documented feature from the listing.
Looking for More Issues Like This?
The December 6, 1982 Eugene Mihaesco “Study Table” issue is the kind of dated New Yorker number that can take patience to locate, especially in label-free condition. Collectors researching related issues may want to browse the broader New Yorker magazine collection for other complete weekly issues with notable cover art, literary character, and period-specific editorial style. Following the title across multiple dates is one of the best ways to understand how The New Yorker’s covers, cartoons, and prose worked together as a continuing cultural record.
For year-based browsing, a correctly matched 1982 magazine collection would be the most relevant companion to this issue. The publication collection remains the strongest provided link for readers studying New Yorker cover artists, complete dated issues, and the magazine’s long-running place in American cultural history. The provided year link points to 1986 magazines, so it has not been used here as the primary year reference for a December 6, 1982 issue.