Willis P. Hazard, Philadelphia

Willis Pope Hazard entered the book trade as a sixteen year old. Prior to opening his own retail store in 1849 at 19 South Fifth Street, he was a salesman for George S. Appleton. In 1850 Hazard entered into a partnership with S. Augustus Mitchell and they published a number of titles on the Hazard and Mitchell imprint. By 1852 Hazard was at 178 Chestnut Street publishing on his namesake imprint. He continued in his retail business. He was in the publishing business until 1864.

In the late 1850's Hazard established with his brother, Samuel Hazard, Jr. the Hazard Brothers. This was a bookselling venture at 724 Chestnut Street, the same address that Willis had his publishing operations. The Hazard Brothers dissolved in 1859 with Samuel taking over that business. It is not clear how long Samuel remained in retail bookselling as history records him spending time in the early 1860's in the Civil War.

Perhaps Willis took over the bookselling business because it is noted that in 1863, Willis P. Hazard sold his retail and stationary company to Duffield Ashmead and Williams Evans.

Hazard continued in publishing as there are volumes with his imprint as late as 1864. In July, 1864 Willis P. Hazard formed a partnership with Charles H. Davis and Robert Porter in the new publishing firm styled Davis, Porter & Company. This partnership dissolved in December, 1864 with Hazard's withdrawal.

Addresses
19 South Fifth Street 1849
178 Chesnut (1850-1855)
190 Chestnut Street (1856-1857)
724 Chestnut Street (1857-1863)
31 South Sixth Street 1863-1864

Hazard published a number of series for youngsters. In many instances the titles in the series had been previously published by Hazard in other non series formats. A number of the earlier series’ books have not been seen. When they are found, they will be added to the database.