Collection

In traditional societies, printed material intended for the masses was essentially of two types: religious, in the form of catechisms, and the almanac. The latter was essentially a calendar that set out the year's days and holidays. Etymologically, the word "almanac" is thought to be of Arabic origin, being composed of the article "al" and the word "mana," which means "to count." The ending "manac" (calendar) is derived from the term "manaquebu," which means to predict the future. The first almanacs were prophetic in nature. In the mid-16th century, Rabelais published a series of almanacs containing some rather comical predictions.

The traditional people's almanac generally consists of several parts. The calendar part and the practical part make up the two basic components of the almanac. They are rounded out by a historical part that recounts the main events of the year just passed and by an administrative part that serves as a civil and religious register. Canadian editor Samuel Neilson provided the following succinct account of what an almanac generally consisted of in the 18th century:

"The matter which should form the contents of an Almanac has constantly varied in all countries, and seems in a great measure arbitrary, however they all agree that it ought chiefly to consist in a Calendar for the measure of time, which being dependant on the motion of the heavenly bodies maskes an Almanac so much of the Science of Astronomy as is necessary for the regulation of human affairs.

But this like most other institutions, from time to time has been thought susceptible of improvement, and that additional advantage might arise to the public by rendering its utility more extensive, which has since become the common object of both the makers and purchasers.

Astronomy, as far as it regards the measure of time, forming the ground work of an Almanac objects relative to that science, in a more extended point of view, and pursued thro' other motives, have very properly made a second and not the least interesting part of an Almanac.

Another portion has been very fitly appropriated to objects of general Utility, such as short sketches of Political, moral or scientifical truths. Subjects of mere amusement have also been introduced at times.

In most countries Almanacs have served as a sort of civil register of the names of the public functionaries of every denomination, appertaining to the communities they are intended to circulate in.

And lastly, objects of local concern, chiefly relative to the affairs of the country in which it may be published."