Before Rollo travelled to Europe, Marco Paul meandered through
the Northeast with his cousin (and tutor) John Forester in the
"Pursuit of Knowledge". Jacob Abbott's six book Marco Paul's
Travels series was initially published in 1843. It was reprinted a
number of times, the latest editions being published in the
1880's.
Abbott stated in his preface that the design of these books was
not just to entertain readers with a "narrative of juvenile
adventures" but also to help the reader in the "acquisition of
knowledge and the formation of character". As was typical of the
era, books for boys and girls were to educate, promote religion
and inspire morality. It was not until the 1850's with Goulding's
Young Marooners that juvenile books really sought to entertain.
But even the 1850's reviews cited the Marco Paul books as "among
the best books which can be put into the hands of youth".
Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review, William Dana, 1852.
The series:
- In the City of New York 1843
- On the Erie Canal 1843
- In the Forests of Maine 1843
- In Vermont 1843
- In the City of Boston 1843
- At the Springfield Armory 1843
As with the Rollo and Lucy books a number of different publishers printed the six books. (See below for details)
- T. H. Carter-Boston (1843-1845)
- A. V. Blake- New York ( Co-published this series with T.H. Carter in 1844)
- Benjamin B. Mussey -Boston (1844-1848)
- W. J. Reynolds- Boston (1848)
- Harper and Brothers-New York (1852-1853/1880)
T. H. Carter and Company, Boston 1843-1845
Volumes 1-6 were first published in 1843. Preceding the hardcover
editions the six books were published in paper covers in twelve
monthly parts at 12.5 cents each. Although I am not certain, I
think that the series was also published in Carter's Boys' and
Girls' Magazine in 1843. This magazine was edited by Mrs. Samuel
Colman.
In 1844 the Carter books were co-published with A.V. Blake, New
York.
Here is an ad from a Carter Marco Paul's book.
T.H. Carter and Co. 1843 |
T.H. Carter and Co. 1843 |
1843 T.H. Carter book ad |
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T. H. Carter and Co. 1843 |
The cover of this 1843 variant is very similar to the cover of the Carter's Moral Library books (below) except that this cover has the title of the book printed on the periphery rather than the words "Moral Library".
T.H. Carter and Co. 1844 |
T.H. Carter and Co. 1844 |
Carter's Moral Library
T. H. Carter published a number of books within its "moral
library" in the 1843-1844 time frame. These stories were written
by various authors who "have turned their attention to this mode
of benefitting the young" . Numerous non-Abbott books are known to
be part of this series but the Marco Paul's books have been seen
with either a spine label or cover paste-on that identifies them
as part of the "Moral Library".
All six Marco Paul's were included in the Moral Library as well as
being part of their own series. The cover paste-on of this book
(Forests of Maine) identifies it as part of the Moral Library.
(You can see "Moral Library" at the top of the back cover.)
Harper and Brothers 1852
Harper and Brothers did several reprint editions between
1852-1853 and later in 1880. Harper published its editions of the
first four books in 1852. It printed the last two books in 1853.
It was not until the earliest of the Harper reprints that the name
of Jacob Abbott appeared on the title page. Prior to this the
title page said "By the Author of Rollo, Jonas and Lucy Books".
The Marco Paul series came boxed as a set by Harper. The books
could also be purchased individually. In 1858 the books were 50
cents; by 1870 they were 90 cents each.
The books in this boxed set were copyrighted in 1852. Each book
was priced at 90 cents. This set was published sometime in the
1870's.
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Harper and Brothers Copyright 1852 |
Harper and Brothers
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The later (1880's) Harper reprints note an 1880 copyright on the copyright page whereas the earlier (1850's) reprints have an 1852 copyright on the copyright page.