Lee and Shepard Advertising Cover

Here is a great advertising cover on which Lee and Shepard advertised Oliver Optic's Magazine. Although the date is not noted anywhere on the envelope, Lee and Shepard was located on Franklin Street from 1874 to 1885. Since Oliver Optic's Magazine was discontinued in 1875, this cover is from 1874 or 1875.

Oliver Optic (William T. Adams) was a prolific author of children's/juvenile books in the second half of the 19th century. In addition to his books he also was associated with children's periodicals. He edited Student and SchoolMate starting in the 1858 and later in 1867 he became the editor of Oliver Optic's Magazine.

Our Little Ones - Russell Publishing Company

From time to time I thought I would highlight a 19th century juvenile magazine. Today's magazine is Our Little Ones and Nursery

Our Little Ones and Nursery was a combination of two magazines for youth ("the youngest class of readers). The Nursery which was founded in 1867 and published by John L. Shorey and Our Little Ones published by the Russell Publishing Company beginning in November, 1880. This new magazine began in 1882 with the combined name and was published until it went defunct in 1899.

Included in today's entry is a trade card for the magazine and a couple of pictures of the magazine itself. The trade card was printed sometime in 1880-1881 before the merger of the two magazines. The Russell Publishing Company is still at the Tremont address as noted on the card.

It was also distributed by Griffith and Farrar in London in the early 188o's and later by Thomas Nelson and Sons.



















It was edited by William T. Adams (Oliver Optic). This small magazine consisted of simple stories and poems for youngsters. Music scores were included and the magazine was profusely illustrated. Although I do not recognize all the authors in the magazine included here, Frederick Ober and Josephine Pollard, writers who penned numerous juvenile books in the late 1800's are represented.

Interestingly, although the text is definitely for children, the pages of ads definitely were for adults. There are advertisements for "Brain and Nerve Food" (always something good to have around), gloves, pens, flowers, and everyone's special favorite Corset skirt supporter. And what child wouldn't want an invalid rolling chair.

Russell published other juvenile pieces including Oliver Optic's Annuals in the late 1880's, Little Mother and Their Little Friends and The Nursery-Illustrated Stories and Poems for Little People.

Lee and Shepard Advertising Flyer for Asiatic Breezes

As has been mentioned, one way book publishers advertised in the 19th century was by means of small flyers. Here is an excellent example.

Lee and Shepard promoted the Oliver Optic book Asiatic Breezes with this small (4.75 x 3.75) flyer. Interestingly the publisher notes that the advertisement is for literary editors not booksellers. Perhaps it was given to periodicals that reviewed books as a reminder to mention the book in some article.

The book itself is the fourth book in the second All Over the World Series written by Oliver Optic (W.T Adams). The book shown is the one that is noted in the advertisement. It was published in 1895.

OLiver Optic Inscription

William Taylor Adams (1822-1897) had a prolific output under the nom de plume of Oliver Optic. As the scion of American presidents , he grew up in a reasonably privileged home. He was an editor of juvenile magazines ( Student and Schoolmate, Oliver Optic's Magazine and Our Little One's Magazine) as well as an author of more than 120 books.

The books , being more adventurous than moralistic, were the object of derision by fellow authors as well as pundits of the day. Despite that fact, his books were huge sellers -from the first adventure story-The Boat Club in 1855- until his last book in 1898 An Undivided Union (which was completed by Edward Stratemeyer).

Mainly his books were published within series, The Blue and Gray Series, The Yacht Club Series, The Boat Club Series, etc.. The title of the series pretty much defined the type of adventure that the books described.

Pictured here is a book from the Blue and Gray Army Series. This book is special because of the inscription. Of course, Oliver Optic signed many books but this particular inscription is quite unique. Here the written inscription is signed to the dedicatee of the book, George White. Beyond that , Optic notes in his inscription "first copy".

Thus a first copy inscribed to the dedicatee of the book. A fascinating piece.