Ticknor, Reed and Fields, Boston (1849-1854)

This firm published three Mayne Reid first editions. It was succeeded by Ticknor and Fields late in 1854.

The three Mayne Reid books published by this firm are 6.75" x 5".

1. The Desert Home, or The Adventures of a Lost Family in the Wilderness (copyright 1851)
2. The Boy Hunters, or Adventures in Search of the White Buffalo (copyright 1852)
3. The Young Voyageurs, or The Boy Hunters in the North (copyright 1853)

A number of different Ticknor, Reed and Fields' formats have been seen. The known books for each title are described below.

The Desert Home
This book has "The English Family Robinson" on the top of the title page. There are twelve illustrations by William Harvey. It cost $1.00.

The first edition was copyrighted in 1851 but the title page imprint notes 1852. 1000 copies of this edition were published in March, 1852. Eight hundred copies of the second 1852 edition were published in April, 1952 .

1853 publications were released in January (Third edition-500 copies Geo. C. Rand printer), July (Fourth edition 500 copies T. R. Marvin printer), November ( No edition number is shown in the cost book 1470 copies Geo. C. Rand printer) and December (5th edition-500 copies T. R. Marvin printer).

In May, 1854 1000 copies were released. This is the 6th edition. The printer was T. R. Marvin.

This is the 1852 first format. It is unknown whether this book is from the March, 1852 or April, 1852 printings. It is highly likely that both editions were identical.



This 1853 edition was printed by Geo. C. Rand. It is unknown which of the 1853 Rand printed editions it is. Note the gold gilt illustrated book specific on the spine Although the embossed circular pattern on the cover was noted in later Reid books by this publisher, the decoration above and below the front cover circle was not seen on the later Reid volumes.



The Boy Hunters
This book originally was priced at 75 cents.
The first edition was published in March, 1852 with a 1000 copies. Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry. In 1853 editions were published in February, 1853 1000 copies (T. R. Marvin printers), September, 1853 (1000 copies) and November, 1853 (1410 copies-Geo. C. Rand printer)
This title was next published in May, 1854 and was probably printed by Ticknor and Fields.

This red cloth volume from 1853 was printed by T. R. marvin making it part of the February, 1853 1000 copy edition. The format has not been seen (as of yet) with other Reid books by this publisher.



The Young Voyageurs
The first edition was published with 2000 copies in November, 1853 (T. R. Marvin printer). The second edition was printed (also by T. R. Marvin) in December, 1853 with 1000 copies. Another December edition was published with 2620 copies. It was printed by Geo. C. Rand.

Two copies stereotyped by the Boston Stereotype Company with title page imprints of 1854 are noted below. The earlier book has a gold gilt decorative pattern on the spine whereas the later book has gold gilt book appropriate illustrations on the spine. The earlier books have ads only for Ticknor, Reed and Fields’ books. The later book has ads in the back for Ticknor, Reed and Fields and September, 1854 Ticknor and Fields ads. These two volumes are probably the last of the Ticknor, Reed and Fields’ editions.

1854 editions.
Note that the covers (except of the cloth covers which have no priority) are the same.
The spine of the later book has the illustrated gold gilt books specific picture similar to that seen on an 1853 Desert Home book (see above).

 



1854. Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry