Rufus Merrill
Merriam & Merrill
R. Merrill & Son

Rufus Merrill (1803-1891) was born in Conway, New Hampshire.He relocated to Concord sometime thereafter.

The Concord firm of Roby, Kimball and Merrill was organized by Luther Roby (1801- 1883), Samuel A. Kimball and Rufus Merrill in about 1836. It mainly published Bibles, testaments and school books. It remained in business as late as 1842. Luther Roby was a Bible publisher before and after the Roby, Kimball and Merrill, company was active.

Samuel Ayer Kimball was an attorney as well as a politician having served in the legislature of New Hampshire as a representative and a secretary of state. Apparently when Roby, Kimball and Merrill failed , Kimball lost significant money.

Starting in 1843 Rufus Merrill published on his namesake imprint. It appears that during 1843 the Rufus Merrill & Co. imprint was used. It was not seen after 1843.

In 1854 Merrill joined with Merriam to establish Merriam and Merrill. This house was in business until about 1860. Between 1860 and 1865 Rufus Merrill and Son was listed in the Concord directories. It sold envelopes, stationary and blank books. One series of chapbooks has been noted with this imprint although ads indicate several series were done on this imprint.

By 1864 this company had morphed into Merrill and Sons. This firm published no juvenile literature.

Series No. 2 or Two Cent Toys was the first series published by Rufus Merrill. This twelve book series was followed in short order by the No. 1 or One Cent Toys. This latter series was published in 1843 with the Rufus Merrill imprint.