Young Americans Series// Chautauqua Press

The Family Flight Series was reprinted in the late 1890's by the Lothrop Publishing Company. The name and the Format was changed. The books are slightly larger (9.5 x 7.5). The illuminated board covers are different for each book and are book appropriate.

These books were published between 1898 and 1901. I have only found four of the five stories.

1. Young Americans Abroad 1898
2. Young Americans in Spain 1899
3. Young Americans in the Orient 1900
4. Young Americans Around Home 1901




Book number 1 is a reprint of Family Flight Through France, Germany...etc. These books are downsized in terms of chapters from the older Family Flight Books. The last 100 pages or so are excluded in the newer Young Americans books.

A non- Lothrop publication of one of these books was done by the Boston Chautauqua Press in 1885. That title seen here is Family Flight Through France and Germany. Like the later Young American books it is shortened in length.

Chautauqua was founded in 1874 with the idea of promoting more effective Sunday Schools. In 1888 a four year reading plan was introduced. The required books were recommended by an elected council of six. It was abbreviated CLSC- Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. Completion of the reading program got the achiever a diploma at a graduation ceremony. ( It is unclear to me whether you had to submit any cereal box tops in addition)


Apparently getting the books to the clamoring public was a difficult task. Thus, the Chautauqua Press was organized. It seems that Lothrop was one of the printers for the Chautauqua Press. The abbreviation of C.Y.F.R.U. was on the imprint. It stood for Chautauqua Young Folks' Reading Union.