G. W. Carleton and Co., New York (1861-1886)

First Editions:
The White Gauntlet 1868
The Lone Ranch 1884

George Washington Carleton started in the publishing business in 1857 as a partner in the firm of Rudd and Carleton. In 1861 because of the Rudds’ death and other partner's retirements , George Carleton was left in charge of the publishing house. The firm became G. W. Carleton. In 1867 the firm became G. W. Carleton and Co.
(A number of references give 1871 as the incorporation date. This is based on an article from the 1911 Bookseller, Newsdealer and Stationer. This is incorrect however. Title pages and copyrights clearly show that Carleton was incorporated in 1867 not in 1871.)

In 1871 George W. Dillingham became a partner. When Carleton retired in 1886, Dillingham succeeded him as G. W. Dillingham Company

Carleton bought the entire list of Mayne Reid plates from Robert M. De Witt in the winter of 1868. At the time that list consisted of fifteen titles. In May, 1868 a sixteenth title, The White Gauntlet (Copyright G. W. Carleton and Co., 1868) was added. This book was one of two Mayne Reid first editions that Carleton published. Each book in the set cost $1.75 each. By 1871 the books cost $1.50 each.



Note that although the list purported to only have books authored by Mayne Reid, the Rangers and Regulators was really written by Alfred W. Arrington using the pseudonym of Charles Summerfield. This book was first published in 1847 by William H. Graham. Robert M. De Witt published this title with Summerfield noted as the author.

1. Rifle Rangers
2. Scalp Hunters
3. Hunters' Feast
4. White Chief
5. Quadroon
6. War Trail
7. Osceola
8. Rangers and Regulators of the Tanaha
9. Wild Life
10. Wood Rangers
11. Wild Huntress
12. Maroon
13. Tiger Hunter
14. Lost Lenore
15. Headless Horseman
16. White Gauntlet (First edition by G. W. Carleton and Co.) in 1868.

Late in 1871 until sometime in 1873 the sixteen books were being sold for $1.50 each. They were divided into four different four title series.

Far West Series
Scalp Hunters
War Trail
Hunters' Feast
Tiger Hunter

Prairie Series
Osceola, The Seminole
Quadroon
Rangers and Regulators
White Gauntlet

Pioneer Series
Wild Life
Headless Horseman
Lost Lenore
Wood Rangers

Wild Forest Series
White Chief
Wild Huntress
Maroon
Rifle Rangers

By 1874 and 1875 the sixteen books were listed without series.

Later in 1875 the Mayne Reid list had shrunk such that Carleton only published ten titles.
"Popular Works of Captain Mayne Reid". Each book cost $1.50.
1. Scalp Hunters
2. White Chief
3. Rifle Rangers
4. Tiger Hunter
5. War Trail
6. Hunters' Feast
7. Wood Rangers
8. Wild Life
9. Wild Huntress
10. Osceola, The Seminole

In 1884 Carleton published the first edition of The Lone Ranch. In Carleton advertisements this title is not listed with the other ten Mayne Reid books. It cost $1.50. Originally this story had been published in serialized form in Street and Smith’s New York Weekly.



The G. W. Carleton Formats

1868-1869.
This format is almost identical to the last De Witt format. The only difference is the Carleton (instead of the De Witt) emblem is in the center of the cover and the Carleton name in gold gilt is at the bottom of the spine. Initially there were only fifteen books in this set. In May, 1868 The White Gauntlet was added. The sixteen books were $1.75 each. (As of yet I have not seen an 1868 book with only 15 titles.)



Here is an 1868 Carleton edition with the ads. Note all 16 titles are listed at $1.75 each.



1870-1873.
The next format has almost the same blindstamped front cover but the spine gilt lettering and design has significantly changed. 7.5” x 5”.
(Orange, green or blue)

 

 

1875

 

1877 (green and maroon)

 

1879

 

1880 (green also seen)

 

1882-1883 (Multiple cloth colors seen)
10 titles listed in the ads in this book.



In 1883 Carleton published "A Love Spell" in its "Dawn to Noon Series". This book is actually a reprint of "The Maroon" without any mention of the author's name, without illustrations and without the prologue.



It appears that Carleton also published two other renamed Mayne Reid books without attribution. Quadroon became Love and Vengeance (1880) while Lost Lenore became Heart and Hand(1881).

Between 1881 and 1885 Carleton published "Ridley's Home Series". I have no information about this series. Dickens and Reid were represented in this series. It is not known however how many Reid books were in this series.