Thursday, June 18, 2009

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.

11 comments:

  1. I have an very old copy of 'The Bobbsey Twins' that was published by Goldsmith Publishing of Chicago, IL. The twins are 8 and 4 in this book, and there is NO publishing or copyright date. The cover is red. Anyone familiar with this copy? Many thanks!

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    1. I also have this book, I am trying to find out its date. If you find it please let me know!

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    2. I have one like this. Spine is held together with clear fiber tape and there is separation between the inside and the back cover. Inside covers have drawings of knights, clowns, a horse, and other things.

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  2. I have one too, interested as well.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Hello...i have several books of "THE BOBBSEY TWINS" all are by GROSSET & DUNLAP publishers of NEW YORK. Published from the dates of 1929 to 1950 by LAURA LEE HOPE.all books are in wonderful shape with no pages missing or torn.i have 7 books
    TREASURE HUNTING
    AT THE CIRCUS
    ON AN AIRPLANE TRIP
    ON A HOUSEBOAT
    ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
    IN RAINBOW VALLEY
    IM NOT SURE IF THEY HAVE MUCH VALUE AT ALL....BUT HAVE KEPT THEM FOR OVER THREE YEARS BECAUSE IT IS BOOKS THAT WERE READ IN THE YEARS MY PARENTS WERE SITTING DOWN TO A GOOD BOOK.IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PASS ALONG OVER THESE BOOKS I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT....THANKS!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello...i have several books of "THE BOBBSEY TWINS" all are by GROSSET & DUNLAP publishers of NEW YORK. Published from the dates of 1929 to 1950 by LAURA LEE HOPE.all books are in wonderful shape with no pages missing or torn.i have 7 books
    TREASURE HUNTING
    AT THE CIRCUS
    ON AN AIRPLANE TRIP
    ON A HOUSEBOAT
    ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
    THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
    IN RAINBOW VALLEY
    IM NOT SURE IF THEY HAVE MUCH VALUE AT ALL....BUT HAVE KEPT THEM FOR OVER THREE YEARS BECAUSE IT IS BOOKS THAT WERE READ IN THE YEARS MY PARENTS WERE SITTING DOWN TO A GOOD BOOK.IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PASS ALONG OVER THESE BOOKS I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT....THANKS!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This post is worth everyone's attention. How can I find out more?
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    ReplyDelete
  7. The Bobbsey Twins or Merry days Indoors & Out was published by Goldsmith Publishing Co. in 1938. You can see an image on their website, blue hardcover with black lettering: http://www.jacketflap.com/bookdetail.asp?bookid=B000N7VHLQ

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  8. How much is the Bobbsey twins books worth ??

    ReplyDelete