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.

3 comments:

  1. Again...nice find. Only other house that comes to mind is A. Roman out of S.F. as well.
    BTW: I find blank books quite dull reading! :>)

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  2. Roman was an earlier publisher of Oliver Optic books also.

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  3. L. C. Page did a curious bit of advertising based on a 1900 book design for a book called "Philip Winwood".
    Check out

    http://www.amysacker.net/documents/PhilipWinwood.html

    and follow the "fascinating commercial uses" link.

    keep up the great work !

    ReplyDelete