Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Chicago
Alex. T. Loyd & Co. Chicago

Richard Robert Donnelly (1836-1899) was a native of Canada. He worked as an apprentice printer as a youngster and by the age of 18 was a partner in a printing shop. In 1864 he moved to Chicago and became a partner in the Church, Goodman and Donnelly printing and publishing firm. In 1870 the Church, Goodman & Donnelley firm merged with the Lakeside Publishing & Printing Company. By 1874 Donnelley had associated with A. J. Cox in the bookbinding business. In 1875 he formed Donnelley, Loyd & Co. with Alexander T. Loyd. This firm published the very successful "Lakeside Library" of 200 plus titles. In 1878 the firm became Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd when Norman Gassette was made a partner. The details are unknown but in 1883 Alexander T. Loyd established his namesake publishing firm. Clearly the departure of Loyd was amicable as the Thomes' series below were published in the same format by both firms.

The two firms published a number of books authored by William Henry Thomas. Previously all of the Thomes' titles had been published by Lee & Shepard. Initially the seven books were divided into two series: "Gold-Hunter's Library" and "Ocean-Life Series". Later Alex. T. Loyd combined the volumes into one series: "Travels and Adventure on Sea and Land".

Gold-Hunter's Library by William H. Thomes

1. Gold Hunters' Adventures; or, Life in Australia
2. Bush Rangers
3. Gold Hunters in Europe; or, the Dead Alive



Ocean Life Series by William H. Thomes

1. Whaleman's Adventures in the Sandwich Islands and California
2. Slaver's Adventures on Sea and Land
3. Life in the East Indies
4. Running the Blockade; or, U. S. Secret Service Adventures

In 1883 and 1884 Donnelly, Loyd & Co. published the two William H. Thomes authored series.
Running the Blockade was part of the Alex. T. Loyd published Ocean Life Series in 1884.
It is not certain whether this title was also in the Donnelley, Loyd & Co. set either in 1883 or 1884.

Illustrated

Donnelley, Loyd & Co. format. (1883/1884)
Cloth. Various colors. Blindstamped. Embossed decorative cover pattern. Gilt spine lettering. 5.5” x 7.75"

Alex T. Loyd & Co. published these two series beginning in 1884. The 1884 Alex T. Loyd books had the same format as the 1883/1884 Donnelley, Loyd & Co. formats. By 1886 the format of the books was changed and the volumes were combined into one series: "Travels and Adventure on Sea and Land". In 1890 Laird & Lee purchased the plates of the Thomes' books.

Illustrated

Alex. T. Loyd & Co. format. (1884)
Cloth. Various colors. Blindstamped. Embossed decorative cover pattern. Gilt spine lettering. 5.5" x 7.75".



Travels and Adventure on Sea and Land

1. Whaleman's Adventures in the Sandwich Islands and California
2. Slaver's Adventures on Sea and Land
3. Life in the East Indies
4. Running the Blockade; or, U. S. Secret Service Adventures
5. Gold Hunters' Adventures, or, Life in Australia
6. Bushrangers: A Yankee's Adventures During His Second Visit to Australia
7. Gold Hunters in Europe; or, the Dead Alive

Alex T. Loyd & Co. published this series in 1885, 1886 and 1888. In 1884 this set had been published by Henry A. Sumner & Co. in the same format as the Loyd 1886 and 1888 editions.

Illustrated

Two formats:
1885
Cloth. Pebbled cloth. Tales of Adventure embossed on the front cover. 5" x 7.5".

Format 2: 1886-1888
Cloth. Red. Illustrated cover with title and boat on the water in black. 7.25” x 5.25"