W. A. Wilde & Company, Boston and Chicago

William A. Wilde started his career as a representative for school book publishing firms. Between 1868 and 1870 William Allan Wilde was a partner in Wilde, Bowler & Company. This house sold textbooks, office supplies and fancy stationary at 1 Cornhill in Boston. In late 1870 the W. A. Wilde & Company firm was established and was operating at the 1 Cornhill address and the Wilde, Bowler house was out of business. No details are known about the earlier firm. By 1881 Wilde had relocated to 25 Bromfield. As time went by, Wilde's publishing revolved around sabbath school books and juvenile literature. In fact by the late 1890's and onward a majority of its offerings were juvenile titles, many of which were within series.

Wilde, Bowler & Company 1868 advertising cover and letter

In addition to being the president of his publishing business, Wilde was a state representative in 1887-1888 and chairman of the state prison commission between 1889 and 1894. Wilde died at his home in Malden, Massachusetts in 1902 at the age of 75 "following two shocks of paralysis". His two sons took over the business upon William A. Wilde's death.

1886 Postcard

1893 Advertising Cover

1895 Advertising Cover

1899 Advertising Cover

Wilde published a number of juvenile series. The pre-1900 series are listed here. For the most part the post-1900 series are beyond the scope of this bibliography.

A number of these volumes are of a higher quality and cost more than the cheaply made series books of the 20th century.

Several simple rules can help to date these books. In 1899 and later the publisher imprint is W. A. Wilde Company. Prior to 1899 the imprint is W. A. Wilde & Company (or Co). The pre-1898 books generally show 25 Bromfield as the address on the title page. From 1898 on, the title page notes Chicago as well as Boston (no Bromfield address). There are usually ads for other books in the back of the book. These can be easily dated to help determine the earliest publication date of the book.