International Book Company, New York (1890-1892) with publications until 1896 - See below.

This firm was one of the many that was formed by the Lovell organization. It was incorporated in 1890 with John Hovendon as its manager. Hovendon bought it out in 1892 and renamed it the Hovendon Company. The Hovendon Company was only in business for one year.

A question is whether books were still published with the International Book Company imprint after 1892 and as late as 1896 when Hovendon and other Lovell Companies were subsumed by the American Publisher’s Corporation (APC). This would certainly appear to be the case.

Note that some books of the St. Nicholas Series (below) have the International Book Company printed at the base of the spine with American Publishers Corporation on the title page. It is hard to believe that these particular books somehow sat dormant for four years and finally had the title pages replaced with APC on them.

Thus it is most likely that books with the International Book Company title pages were published between 1890 and 1896. This is despite the fact the the actual company was either owned by Hovendon or in the hands of receivers between 1892 and 1896.

There are three different series that included Mayne Reid books.
New Columbus Series
Aldine Series
St. Nicholas Series for Boys and Girls

The New Columbus Series
The Columbus Series was followed by the New Columbus Series. The exact dates are unclear but the New Columbus series was advertised in 1894. Only one Mayne Reid title: The Flag of Distress is in the list for this series.

Cloth. Multiple colors. 12 mo.



Aldine Series
Two formats have been seen with this series. Previously the Aldine Series was published by John W. Lovell. The only Mayne Reid title known to be included in the series is The Flag of Distress.

Cloth. Several colors seen. 12 mo.



Here is a representative picture of an earlier Aldine series book. "Flag of Distress" was published in this format.



St. Nicholas Series for Boys and Girls
This series appears to have been a later printing (1894-5). See above explanation.

Cloth. several colors seen. 7.5” x 5”.



This book is a transition copy with International Book Company on the spine but American Publishers Corporation on the title page. Probably an 1896 edition.



A number of Mayne Reid titles have been seen. This series was published in this same format by the American Publishers Corporation.

Afloat in the Forest
Boy Hunters
Boy Tar
Boy Slaves
Bruin
Bush Boys
Cliff Climbers
Desert Home
Flag of Distress
Forest Exiles
Giraffe Hunters
Ocean Waifs
Odd People
Plant Hunters
Ran Away to Sea
Stories about Animals
Young Voyagers
Young Yagers