Sunday, January 23, 2011

Horatio Alger Trade Card-The Backwood's Boy

Abraham Lincoln, The Backwoods Boy; or, How a Rail-Splitter Became President was written by Horatio Alger and published first by John R. Anderson & Henry S. Allen in 1883.
Here is a trade card for that book. I believe this card refers to the first edition. The later reprints by David McKay and Street and Smith which are titled " The Backwood's Boy" do not mention the "Rail-Splitter" in the subtitle.

This card notes the price of the book as $1.00. The original price on the first edition is $1.25. Perhaps the bookseller discounted the price.

I have seen not any other trade cards for Alger books. I believe that they must be quite scarce

Saturday, January 22, 2011

A. L. Bancroft S.F. Publisher Advertising Cover



Generally, when I think of the locations of 19th century book publishers I think of Boston, Philadelphia and New York. Even Chicago and Cincinnati make my short list. Publishers west of the Mississippi just do not appear on my radar.

In about 1870 Albert Little Bancroft succeeded his brother's publishing firm. The latter, H. H. Bancroft , founded by Hubert Howe Bancroft, was an active publishing house from 1856-1870. In 1870, Hubert wanted to concentrate on his writing (especially historical works relating to the California and the West Coast) and thus gave up his firm to his brother , the firm becoming A. L. Bancroft & Co.

The latter firm concentrated on law books, reference books, and blank books. The Bancroft publishing building burnt down in April, 1886.

Here is an advertising cover for A. L. Bancroft & Co. It is for a blank book.