Philip J. Cozans
Huestis & Cozans, New York City
Philip J. Cozans was born in Canada in 1828. The firm of Huestis
& Cozans was established in 1850 at 104 Nassau Street in New York
City. Cozans' partnership with C. P. Huestis dissolved in February,1853
but during those three years the firm was a prolific publisher of
children’s / juvenile chapbooks as well as valentines and fancy
stationary. Cozans carried on the publishing business. He also
continued to sell stationary and valentines. He was one of the founders
of the Brooklyn Eagles professional base ball club. In 1866 he became
the treasurer of the National Association of Base Ball Players. That
situation ended badly as he used his position to embezzle funds to help
out his publishing and stationary business. Within a year he repaid the
money. He died in 1896.
Charles P. Huestis was a bookseller, an engraver and a publisher from
as early as 1841. In the 1840’s he mainly was a bookseller and
engraver. He was arrested in 1842 for distributing obscene
publications. Apparently Huestis was the middle man in a scheme in
which customers would come to his bookstore for certain "titles". He
was well known as a valentine card producer. He published a “Valentine
Writer” for several years starting in the 1840’s.
Huestis published a number of children’s books as C. P. Huestis,
Publisher but mostly they were not in series form. Many of there titles
however were later printed by Huestis & Cozens and Philip J. Cozans
in various series.
After Huestis left Cozans he continued to publish cards, valentines and
stationary.
It appears that the titles authored by “Uncle Philip” were actually
written by Cozans and not the other more well known “Uncle Philip”,
Francis Lister Hawks.
Most volumes by these publishers are not dated. By noting the address,
an approximate date can be assigned to any of these books.
ADDRESSES/DATES
104 Nassau Street C. P. Huestis ca. 1843-1850
104 and 106 Nassau Street Corner of Ann St or 104 Nassau Street
(Huestis & Cozans) 1850-1853
116 Nassau Street--- 1853-1855 (Philip J. Cozans)
107 Nassau Street —1856-1861 (Philip J. Cozans)
122 Nassau Street —1861-1867 (Philip J. Cozans)
Known Series:
Aunt Mary's Picture Book (PJC)
Cozan's Pictorial Juvenile Library (HC/ PJC)
Cozan's School Toys (PJC)
Fireside Picture Books (PJC)
Franklin Juvenile Library (PJC)
Franklin Pictorial Library (PJC)
Franklin Toys (PJC)
Golden Picture Books (PJC)
Illuminated Series of Toy Books (HC, PJC)
Illuminated Toys 8 vo. Edition (CPH, HC, PJC)
Marks' Edition of Toy Books (PJC)
Rosebud Library, or Mammoth Picture Books (PJC)
Uncle Philip's Library for Good
Boys and Girls (PJC)