The Florence Stories is a six volume series written by Jacob
Abbott. As with many of Abbott's series, this is a travelogue series
and the title character with companions travels to various sites. The
destinations are not as important however as the simplistic lessons of
morality and character that are learned by the traveling youngsters.
Florence, her brother John, her cousin Grimkie, and her mother Mrs.
Morelle (Mr. Morelle was away on business) had adventures stretching
from their home in the Hudson River area of New York to Scotland, the
English Channel, Rome, Paris, etc.
These stories' factual content actually came from visits to Europe that
Abbott and his wife had taken in the 1850's.
A number of different publishers printed these books. All of the first
editions were done by Sheldon and Company, a New York publisher. Since
there were not too many publishers they will be listed in chronological
order.
The books:
- Florence and John 1859 (Published in December, 1859-title page of first edition states 1860)
- Grimkie 1860
- Orkney Islands 1860
- English Channel 1862
- Isle of Wight 1862
- Florence's Return 1864
The publishers of the series included:
Sheldon and Company------------New York (1860-1871)
John R. Anderson-------------------New York (1882)
D. Lothrop and Company---------Boston (1883)
John B. Alden------------------------New York (1883)
Dewolfe, Fiske and Company---Boston (1885-)
John W. Lovell-----------------------New York (1891-)
W. L. Allison Company------------New York (late-1890's)
Donohue Brothers------------------New York (1900)
M. A. Donohue-----------------------New York (1901)
Sheldon and Company, New York
Sheldon published a number of Abbott's Series. It published
all of
the first editions of the Florence Stories. Books from this series were
published yearly between 1860 and 1871. A number of changes were made
in the formats during this time span.
In 1861-1862 the books were 18 mo. (6.5 x 4.5). Thereafter they were 16
mo. (6.75 x 4.5).
John R. Anderson- New York- 1882
John Anderson published the six book series in two different
formats. The title pages are not dated. The earlier books have the same
gold gilt decoration on the spine and in the center of the front cover
as the latest Sheldon and Company published books. This makes sense
when it is noted that John Anderson bought the Sheldon's Florence
Series plates at auction in September, 1882.
The books were sold individually or as a $6.00 set. The later Anderson
book cover has been seen in several colors. The Dewolfe, Fiske and D.
Lothrop and Company's covers are identical to this later Anderson
cover.
1882 |
1883 |
D. Lothrop and Company- Boston- 1883
Lothrop published the six volume Florence set for $6.00 in 1883. The books were not sold individually. The format is the same as the Anderson books. This is despite 1883 Lothrop ads which state "with new and very elegant dies". Most likely Lothrop leased the plates for a short time from Anderson.
John B. Alden, New York 1883
This publisher printed this series in 1883. Although these books have not been seen, they may look like the Rollo Alden's published in the same year.
Dewolfe, Fiske and Company, New York 1885
This publisher printed the six volumes of the Florence series in 1885. It noted in advertisements that it was publishing miscellaneous books of the "Anderson School Book Company". Similar to the publishing history of the Rollo Travels books, it appears that Anderson leased these book plates to Lothrop for a short time but subsequently Dewolfe, Fiske and Company made arrangements with the Anderson School-Book Company to publish their entire line of books, including the Rollo books (Publishers' Weekly, 1885).
John W. Lovell, New York
In 1891 Lovell published the six Florence Stories Series in
its Rugby Edition in Sets. The six 12 mo. volumes were sold for $3.00.
These books have not been seen.
W. L. Allison Company, New York
Allison published the six volumes of the Florence Stories
Series in its Snug Corner publisher's series in the 1890's. The Allison
Snug Corner
Series has been seen with different covers. It is not known whether the
Florence books were seen with different Snug Corner Series covers.
When it was succeeded by Donohue Brothers in 1899, the latter company
also published the six volumes within this series.
Donohue Brothers, New York 1900
The Donohue Brothers bought all of the W. L. Allison Company's plates in 1900. M. A. Donohue succeeded the Donohue Brothers in 1901. It is not known whether the cover pictured is the only Snug Corner cover seen with the Donohue Brothers' Florence Stories. This publisher only printed five of the six Florence stories. Grimkie was not included in this series' list.
M. A. Donohue and Company, New York 1901
Michael A. Donohue's publishing house succeeded the Donohue Brothers in 1901. It is not known whether the Florence Stories are included in this publisher's Snug Corner title list. In 1904 the cover for this series had changed and there are no Florence titles in the 50 volume list.