G. S. Peters, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
T. F. Scheffer, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Gustav Sigismund Peters (1793-1847) immigrated in 1820 to America from Germany. His first stereotyping / printing efforts were in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with Johann B. Moser. Their publications were in German as well as English. Peters moved to Harrisburg and set up his local operation in 1827. G. S. Peters was America's first color printer. In 1831 he published a children's book in German with illustrations in various colors.
Theodore Frederick Scheffer (1813-1883) was a native of Germany and as an apprentice learned the printer’s trade in Gustav Peters' firm. The company of Lutz & Scheffer was active between 1836 and 1853. It succeeded Peters’ outfit upon the latter's death in 1847 in addition to inheriting all of its printing equipment. In 1853 Scheffer, along with Dr. William H. Egle, began the “Daily Times". Later (1853-1856) Scheffer was a partner in the printing and engraving firm of Scheffer & Beck. (Some broadsides appear to have been printed by Scheffer & Beck between 1848 and 1853. Details of how Scheffer was associated with two different firms at the same time are unknown.)
By 1856 Theo. F. Scheffer was by himself in the printing and book selling business. In 1863 Scheffer bought the Harrisburg building at 21 S. Second Street (shown below). Scheffer's firm which did bookbinding, publishing, printing, bookselling and engraving remained in this building until well after Scheffer's 1883 death.
Scheffer's Second Street store |
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G. S Peters and T. F. Scheffer both published the nine title "Picture Books for Little Children". Peters' editions have been seen with dated title pages of 1838, 1839, 1840 and 1841. An undated Peters’ book has also been seen.
The date of the Scheffer publications is unclear. 1856 is an estimation. The Scheffer books have Peters' name on the title page but Scheffer on the cover.
Several of the books published by Peters have been seen in German. It
is unknown whether all nine volumes were published in German. Both
sets have colored pictures with text on every page.
Picture Books for Little Children
| 1. House that Jack Built |
| 2. Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog |
| 3. Courtship, Marriage & Death of Poor Cock Robin |
| 4. Johnny Gilpin's Funny Ride |
| 5. Bible History |
| 6. Golden Primer for my Little Child |
| 7. History of Jacob |
| 8. Joseph and His Twelve Brethren |
| 9. Children in the Forest (History of Children in the Wood)-also in German |
G. S. Peters format:
Wraps. Line drawn book specific cover illustration. 5.75" x 3.5"
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Peters' title pages
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T. F. Scheffer format:
Wraps. Cover with writing but no illustration. Title page notes G. S.
Peters
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