The Bobbsey Twins First Editions

The Bobbsey Twins series was one of the most popular 20th century series of books for small children.

The first book, The Bobbsey Twins, was published in 1904 by The Mershon Company. Unfortunately the later edition Grosset and Dunlap books are frequently described as being first editions as opposed to later publications. (Actually afterMershon published this title, Chatterton-Peck also printed it).



Mershon Edition



Here are a couple of description errors by sellers .

1.1904 THE BOBBSEY TWINS LAURA LEE HOPE Mershon CO.1ST ED
IT WAS WRITTEN BY LAURA LEE HOPE AND PUBLISHED BY GROSSET & DUNLOP IN NEW YORK IT WAS COPYRIGHTED IN 1904 BY THE MERSHON COMPANY

2. The Bobbsey Twins
Laura Lee Hope
Price: US$ 195.00
Book Description: Grosset & Dunlap. Decorative Cloth. Book Condition: Good. Assumed to be the first edition.




Chatterton-Peck Editions



The second and third volumes in the series were first published by Chatterton-Peck Company
2. The Bobbsey Twins in the Country 1907
3. The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore 1907 (Some dispute whether this book was a Chatterton-Peck publication but the earliest Grosset and Dunlap edition of "Seashore" does credit Chatterton-Peck with the copyright.)

Also the first book The Bobbsey Twins was reprinted by Chatterton-Peck (second edition).

These Mershon and Chatterton-Peck Bobbsey Twins' books are very scarce. The cover used in these books was different from the Grosset and Dunlap covers published first in 1908. The earlier books are also smaller. (6.75 x 4.75 versus 7.62 x 5.25)

Copies of these titles were reprinted for many years by Grosset and Dunlap. Only the earliest reprints with dust jackets have more than nominal value.

The earliest Grosset and Dunlap editions which are extremely scarce in dust jacket will be discussed tomorrow.