Sheldon and Company, New York

Smith Sheldon (1911-1884) was the founder of Sheldon and Co.

Initially Smith worked in Albany for about 17 years in the dry goods area. He relocated to New York at the behest of some “prominent baptists” for the purpose of organizing a publishing house. His career began when he purchased the interest of Law in the firm of Lamport, Blakeman and Law. The latter firm had succeeded Cornish, Lamport and Company which succeeded Nafis and Cornish.

Thus, in the spring of 1854 Sheldon, Lamport and Blakeman was established. It soon set up shop at 115 Nassau Street. After its founding, it bought out the interest of another local publisher, Lewis Colby and Co. With Colby’s religious book list and the school book list of Lamport, Blakeman and Law, the new firm had a great start. (Some imprints noting Sheldon, Lamport and Co. in this era have been seen.)

Lamport retired in 1856 and the firm became Sheldon, Blakeman and Co. In 1859 Blakeman joined Albert Mason to form Blakeman and Mason. Sheldon and Company was thus started in 1859.

Isaac Sheldon, Smith Sheldon's son, had been admitted to the firm as a partner in 1858. Other partners at that time included Melancthon M. Hurd and Hezekiah Shailer. In 1864 Hurd left the firm and joined Houghton to form Hurd and Houghton.

In 1861 Sheldon took over the extensive book list of Pratt, Oakley and Co., a firm with a large educational title list.

Sheldon published two first edition Mayne Reid books.

In 1869 Child Wife: A Tale of Two Worlds was published. The copyright was 1868. The Sheldon advertisement notes that this is the first Reid book published since he became an American citizen. In 1888 White and Allen reprinted this title.



In 1870 Sheldon announced "An entirely new series of books for boys". The author was Mayne Reid and the first book was the Castaways, or, Adventures in the Wilds of Borneo. The book was noted to be 16 mo., cost $1.25 and was to be ready October 15th. Green and maroon covers have been seen. Apparently this was the only title in a short lived series.

This title did have at least one Sheldon reprint however. Later in 1870 this title was published by Sheldon with Robert Clarke and Co. from Cincinnati as a co-publisher.

(7 x 4.75)