First Edition of Book #1The Jolly Good Times Series was the largest and probably the most popular of the four series written by Mary P. Wells Smith. Two publishers printed the series in its entirety. First was Roberts brothers and after when it sold off the plates to Little, Brown and Company, the latter firm published the series as well.
As noted previously The books of this series were based on real environs. The first two books Jolly Good Times and Jolly Good Times at School are set at the Kendall Farm in Greenfield Meadows, Massachusetts where Mary P. Wells actually lived . The Hackmatack books were located in what was actually Warwick, Massachusetts. Daniel Strong , one of the heroes was based on Smith's husband.
The first two books were written with the pseudonym P. Thorne. All later books gave Smith as the author. Once the books were reprinted by Little, Brown, Smith was the author of note of all eight volumes.
Two ads for Roberts Brothers
books.
Several formats of the Roberts Brothers and the Little Brown books have been seen. The Roberts' books that have Jolly Good Times in their title have a J and G from the words Jolly and Good incorporated within a decorative pattern. The first edition of book #1 has been seen with a gold gilt picture of three children. and a barrel. Other Roberts' books have various cover pictures. The Canoe Trip has a picture of boys paddling a canoe. (I have not seen all of the variants and will add pictures as I see them
Dust jacketed early Little Brown book. The first Little Brown editions were identical to the last Roberts' Brothers books.
The Little Brown books have been seen with flowers on the covers as well as pictures of adolescents sitting in chairs. The earlier Little Brown books have gold gilt lettering. The jackets match the books. Little Brown omitted the Canoe Trip and The Browns with its later printings. In 1927 Little Brown published a new edition which was larger (8.25 x 5.75) which was blue, gold gilt lettering, illustrated end papers and with a colorful dust jacket. This edition was limited to books #1 and #2.
All of the Roberts' books came with dust jackets but those jackets are really rare. The earlier Little Brown books are also quite scarce with dust jackets. This publisher has dates on the title page.
More to come on Mary Prudence Wells Smith's series later.
These are the 1927 Little Brown editions.
The Books.
1. Jolly Good Times 1875
2. Jolly Good Times at School 1877
3. The Browns 1884
4. Their Canoe Trip 1889
5. Jolly Good Times at Hackmatack 1891
6. More Good Times at Hackmatack 1892
7. Jolly Good Times To-Day 1894
8. A Jolly Good Summer 1895
Jessie Mcdermott illustrated books #5, 7.
Frank T. Merrill did book # 4.
Addie Ledyard did #1
Helen Mason Grose illustrated the end papers and books of the late 1920's
Little Brown reprints of Volumes #1 and #2.
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