Thursday, August 20, 2009

F. M. Lupton and a Dust Jacketed Book

The F. M. Lupton Publishing Company was one of a myriad of houses that published numerous reprints of older works in a multitude of series. These series were distinguished generally by nice decorative bindings. Lupton did series both in paperback and hardcover but most of the series contained mostly the same titles. Among the titles and authors were Alice in Wonderland, Doyle's A Study in Scarlet, reprints of Charles Dickens, Henty and Shakespeare.

Despite frequent listings to the contrary, all of Lupton's non paperbacks were issued in boxes or in dust jackets. So it is safe to snicker at those dealers who note in their ads: "No jacket as issued".

This New York publishing house was founded by Frank Moore Lupton (1854-1910) Lupton grew up on Long Island. He initially apprenticed to a printer in Greenport. Thereafter he worked for S.W. Green. With several friends he started a monthly periodical called The Cricket on the Hearth. In 1882 he founded his own company. At that time the imprint was F.M. Lupton. He continued to add titles, series and authors' sets throughout the years. In 1892 he incorporated and the imprint changed to F. M. Lupton Publishing Company. The firm changed its name to the Federal Book Company in 1902.

In 1910 Frank Lupton committed suicide as per his obituary. It stated that the reason was "overwork, prolonged ill health and melancholia". If you want some gruesome details , one obituary reported that his throat was cut and an open penknife was by his side. Apparently he was quite depressed by a stomach condition that was not improved by health spas he had visited in Europe.

Here is a typical example of a Lupton publisher's series book. This is the Daisy Series. This series was published in the late 1890's. As is frequently the case, no mention of the series can be found within the book-only on the reverse of the dust jacket. Thus, if you do not know which series the book belongs to , then without the jacket you never will.

We can date this book fairly closely based on the address on the reverse of the dust jacket. Lupton moved to 52-58 Duane street in 1899. In 1902 it moved to 23-27 City Hall Place. Thus this book was published between 1899 and 1902.

35 comments:

  1. I have a copy of RLS Dr Jeckylland Mr Hyde....I think about 1895 FM Lupton Pub Comp. Could anyone give me any info on this book?? daveravenator@yahoo.com thanx

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  2. I have an original book that Mr. Lupton apparently re-printed. The name of book Modern Home Cookbook. The author/printer page is missing but inscription inside of cover dates the book 1865. Mr. Lupton did not do a re-print of this book until 1888. How do I track down the REAL author? Respond here or to my email thekid7031@sbcglobal.net please put in subject line F M Lupton

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  3. I have a F.M.Lupton Publishing "Daisy Series" copy of Cyrano De Bergerac by Rostand. Can't find anything on the value. I went to AbeBooks and nothing pops up, can't find it anywhere. The cover looks just like the one above this comment box. Does anyone know about this copy. Please respond here or my email lisaamy@cableone.net

    Please put in subject line F M Lupton,

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have a Scottish Chiefs AVON Edition that I would like to have more info on...jdemick@charter.net thanks

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  5. I have a copy of History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding F. M. Lupton Publishing Company 72-76 Walker Street NY Avon Edition. It belonged to my great, great uncle who died in 1929 in his 90's. Does anyone have any idea when it was printed or what it could be worth? Thank you.
    jmooney181@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have a three-volume Shakespeare set from "F.M. Lupton Pub Co". The date at the end of the introductio is 1855, but the company address is 65 Duane St, which should date the book to around 1895. Is that common?

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  7. I have a 15 volume set of hardback books by Dickens, published by F.M. Lupton, Nos. 72-76 Walker Street, New York. The series is bound in dark red cloth covers and is undated. One of the books has an inscription of ownership dated 1906. How many books were in the complete series and what type of value would the 15 volumes have? They are all in excellent condition as far as the covers and binding are concerned with foxing to the pages. Some have owner's names, some do not. Please contact me at joypendry@nctv.com if you can help.

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  8. I have a copy of Sir Thomas More's Utopia published by F. M. Lupton Publishing Co. when their address was Nos. 72-76 Walker Street.

    Can you help me date this?

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    Replies
    1. Apparently I have the same book and after reading these postings might conclude Mr. Lupton almost never dated his books. Were you ever able to find any information?

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    2. According to this website, Lupton's company was at that address from 1894 until 1899, at which point they moved to the Duane Street address mentioned in the blog post above. It's not much, but it gives you a five year window.

      Delete
  9. I have 10 volumes of "The Works of Charles Dickens" by Charles Dickens. They are in poor condition. These books are published in New York by F.M.Lupton, Publisher, 106 and 108 Reade Street. Could anyone tell me about when they were published. You can contact me at eagle58@cox.net if you can help.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have a book called Daisy Stories and the publisher is Donohue Henneberry, Chicago. I can't find the book listed anywhere. It has a picture of a little girl holding a dog and appears to be very old. Any help is greatly appreciated.
    sfensch@earthlink.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just bought a copy of Daisy stories and no one recognizez it. The illustrations are tremendous. But, the binding is deteriorating and It might become parced into matted prints if there is no value as it is. mmssn@lycos.com

      Delete
  11. I cannot date an F.M. Lupton book (Tour of the World in 80 Days) so I was wondering if you could help me? It doesn't have its dust jacket and it's green with a black pattern with thistles on it. The title is on the spine in gold and inside it simply says:

    'New York,
    THE F.M. LUPTON PUBLISHING COMPANY
    No8, 72-76 Walker Street'

    The very back page has an ad for 'Mrs. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP'.

    i.rabbit@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have recently found a book in my fathers attic called Story of an African Farm the front cover says Stratford Edition the outside spine says The F.M. Lupton Pub. Co. the book was with some old news papers from 1874 called The Christian Leader.I was wondering if anyone could give me a guess to the date of this book thank you.

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  13. I have a two volume set "The Wide, Wide World" by Elizabeth Wetherell (Susan Warner) published by F.M. Lupton Publishing Company, New York. There is no dust jacket, but the leather cover and binding are sage green with silver scrollwork and purple daisies. It has been passed down in the family since at least grandmother (b. 1891) and possibly her mother. I am trying to date and value the book set.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have a copy of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare comprising his plays and poems, with a history of the stage, a life of the poet, and an introduction to each play: The text of the plays corrected by the manuscript emendations contained in the recently discovered folio of 1632 by J.Payne Collier, Esq., FSA to which are added, glossarial and explanatory notes, and notes to the emendations, containing the readings of former editions, by John L. Jewett. with new and original designs by T.M. Matteson, engraved by Alexander Anderson New york: The F.M.Lupton Publishing Company

    Would anyone have any information on this book. It also includes newspaper articles and programs from plays.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have a copy of "MARVEL" by "The Duchess" printed by F.M. Lupton. Does anyone know anything about this book? I cannot seem to find hardly any info online about it. The book is a hard cover, Red with some kind of design on it. Hard to tell what it is.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have a copy of Stevenson's Treasure Island published by F.M. Lupton Nos. 53-58 Duane Street. An inscription says to Alcek Xmas 1900. Cover has what looks to be iris or orchids on green and gold on the spine. Where might I find more info on this book.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have a copy of the Avon edition of The Three Guardsmen. (or the thre musketeers)F.M.Lupton Publishing Company with the 72-76 Walker Street address on it. Author is Henry L. Williams. No date of publishing, no dust jacket. Good condition. Any thoughts on more info or value for this please respond to:
    lmorse2@cfl.rr.com.

    ReplyDelete
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  22. I HAVE UNCLE TOMS CABIN PUB BY LUPTON. ANY VALUE?

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have a copy of Tour of the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne. The publisher is F. M. Lupton Publishing Company, No. 65 Duane Street.

    The hard cover is brown with a hand in the middle holding a book surrounded by heart shaped flowers. The title is printed on the spine in gold. There is not a dust jacket.

    I believe this book is part of the Avon Series. I am looking for help in determining the date and value of this book.

    Thank you to all who can help.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have a copy of The House Of The Seven Gables, published by FM Lupton Company, Address: 72-76 Walker Road, New York.
    Any Value?

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have a Treasure Island book published by F.M Lupton publishing company Nos, 52-58 Duane Street. According to the info on here its dated 1899/1902. Just wondering if anyone knows est worth?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i just saw your note about the book Treasure Island published by F. M. Lupton Publishing Co. Have you been able to find out much about it? Any idea about the value? I have the same book that I bought from an estate sale just outside of Johnson City, Tn. Any help you might be able to provide would be very much appreciated.

      Delete
  26. I have a hard cover book, The House of Seven Gables published by F.M. Lupton Publishing Company, New York. It was a Christmas gift to someone on Dec. 25, 1900,(inscribed on first blank page) It is small print and only 190 pages. Does this book have any value and if it does, do you know where I could sell it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have a 15 volume set of Plays and Poems of Shakespeare published by FM Lupton publishing Company

    ReplyDelete
  28. I have a copy of Jane Eyre that is well worn but has all the pages. It was given as a gift in 1893. On the front page it says FM Lupton publishing company NOS. 72 to 76 Walker St. How can I find out if it has value?

    ReplyDelete