John E. Potter and Company, Philadelphia

John E. Potter (1827-1893) was born in Rhode Island into a distinguished family. Relatives had served in the Revolutionary War as well as the War of 1812. In 1852 he established his publishing business on Third Street in Philadelphia with his big seller being the first edition of Dr. Belcher's "Religious Denominations of the World". Buoyed by this success, he moved to 617 Sansom Street where the firm remained for a quarter of a century. Potter incorporated between late 1865 and early 1866 with the name change to John E. Potter and Company.

In March,1867 Potter bought the plates and stock of Bradley and Company. In 1889 the Keystone Publishing Co. purchased the printing office and bindery owned by John E. Potter & Co. along with numerous plates for various books. Potter however remained in business. Evidence points to Potter being out of business in about 1894.

Over the course of Potter's publishing house, Geo. T. Stuckert, Wm. T. Amies and Edwin J. Buckley all had been partners for varying periods. These men went on to have Philadelphia publishing firms of their own.

Potter did not specialize in juvenile books. As can be seen below, most of the juvenile series were in wraps with only a few being clothbound. None of the books in wraps are dated. They appear in Potter listings as early as 1865. The books from 1865 note John E. Potter as the publisher whereas the post 1866 titles had John E. Potter & Co. as the publisher.

Company names:
John E. Potter 1853-1866
John E. Potter & Co. 1866-1881

Addresses:
Third Street 1853
617 Sansom 1854-1887
29-35 N. 10th Street 1888
1113 Market Street 1889-1894

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Series for children / juveniles: