Unusual book-The Jingle of a Jap published by Caldwell

As I continue to work on a bibliography of the H. M. Caldwell publishing company, I have come across a very unusual book. In the past I have shown books with various cover attachments but never anything like this.

In 1906 Caldwell published a not quite politically correct book entitled The Jingle of a Jap. This attractive book was written and illustrated by Clara Bell Thurston. It is about the love of a Japanese doll for a Parisian doll. This was an interracial theme not widely accepted in that era. Glossy pages with beautiful illustrations are plentiful throughout the book.

The cover of this book is made of cretonne. This is a "strong , white fabric with a hempen warp and linen weft". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretonne). Clearly the covers of this edition were taken from a large decorative piece of linen such that each book takes a slightly different piece of the linen swatch. Thus, each cover is distinct. This is similar to that which is seen on the Altemus Boys and Girls' Classics Series. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series57.htm .



The first edition though is quite unique. A bisque doll is attached by twine in the upper right corner of the cover.

This very rare first edition came in an oversized box which is large enough to put the book and doll into without difficulty. The picture on the box is identical to the title page.


I have seen three books with dolls and interestingly enough each of the three dolls had different clothing. I am showing the other books/dolls . One is for sale at this site: http://www.eclectibles.com/The_Jingle_of_the_Jap_by_Clara_Bell_Thurston_p/55067.htm.




The other is shown here at a site about japanese Dolls: http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/jshoaf/Jdolls/jdollwestern/jingle/index.htm




The second edition was published in 1907. This book has board covers with an inlaid cover picture which duplicates the title page.

A very fascinating book.

More Boxed Books-H.M. Caldwell

Most boxed individual books are rather ordinary where the labeled box contains a box that neatly fills up the box. Of course, some boxes themselves have elaborate designs and illustrations. Today I thought I would show an individual boxed book which is on the bizarre side.

As some of you may know, I am slowly working toward putting together a history and bibliography of the H.M. Caldwell publishing house. I hope to complete it before I keel over. It will take the same format as my henryaltemus.com website.

Anyway here is a Caldwell book. The box has a labeled flap but otherwise is quite plain. It measures 9.5 x 5.

The box inside however is quite unusual. It is Over the Nuts and Wine written by James Clarence Harvey. It was published in 1906. Look at its shape. It is a 3D representation of a bottle of wine within an ice bucket. The original glassine dust jacket was found within the box. This 134 page book has a different "toast" on each page.

Quite an interesting boxed book.

H.M. Caldwell and the Famous Books for Boys Series

Herbert M. Caldwell founded the publishing company of H.M. Caldwell Co. in 1896. He was born in Whitby, Ontario. Early on he worked at several bookstores in Toronto. Later he was in the employ of John Lovell and Henry Altemus.

He brought the strategy of Altemus' publishing with him. That is, numerous series of similar books, beautiful bindings, and reasonable prices. High quality bindings were a must. to compete with other book publishers. I believe that all of Caldwell's books all were either jacketed or boxed.


Caldwell published mostly reprints but there were exceptions. In 1908 he came to an agreement with Blackie and Son to publish all the future works of Captain F.S. Brereton, Alexander MacDonald, and Robert MacDonald.

The Caldwell imprint continued until 1914 although in 1910 Dana Estes of Estes and Company bought the controlling interest. Dana Estes in 1914 sold the interest to the Dodge Publishing Company as Estes planned his retirement from the book publishing business. (New York Times , April 12, 1914.)

I thought at times I would showcase various publishers' series here. Today is Caldwell's Famous Books for Boys. This set includes works by Hortio Alger, Oliver Optic, Edward Ellis and even Stratemeyer books- Ralph Bonehill. Interesting is that ads in the back refer to Street and Smith's The Boys' Own Library from which many but not all the books of this series were part of.


This series is bound in Holliston cloth (This cloth means nothing to me but it was noted in a review of the series and it sure sounds impressive). Each year new titles were added. A companion series for girls called "Famous Books for Girls" was also published.

One additional point of interest is the signed binding. I have previously mentioned the Decorative Designers as major book cover designers. This book has the monogram of two separate R's on the cover. This is the monogram of Rome K. Richardson who left the Decorative Designer firm in 1901 to start his own company in 1902. (Thus also helping us to date this book)