One Syllable Series

Published by McLoughlin Bros.

The first one syllable book that McLoughlin Brothers published was Robinson Crusoe. The earliest information I have seen is from the 1875 catalogue: Cloth, beveled edges with fine chromatic illustration mounted on the cover. There are eight full page illustrations. This book cost $1.00.

This book has 1869 on the title page. I have found no record of that early publication. Interestingly every one syllable Robinson Crusoe that this firm published until 1880 has the 1869 under the imprint on the title page. In 1880 this title was printed in the same format but with 1880 on the title page. See just below.

The Swiss Family Robinson book has 6 full page colored plates and is 112 pages. It was published in March, 1877 as was the third book Sandford and Merton.

Cloth. Various colors. Gilt letter boxes on the cover. Book appropriate applique illustration. 9" x 7".

In 1878 the One Syllable Series consisted of three titles:

These titles were published in paper wraps (60 cents) and cloth ($1.00)
All three are advertised as having 93 pages.

In 1879 the page numbers changed for these two books with Sandford and Merton 144 pages and Swiss Family Robinson 112 pages. There are six full page illustrations in this format. There was a toy version at 50 cents and the cloth format at $1.00.

Here are the titles that were first published in 1879. (approx 9" x 7")

In 1882 new formats for these books were published. Of note is that for the next 15-20 years all Robinson Crusoe titles have the 1882 date under the title page imprint. This book is 8.75" x 7.25". The page numbers and the illustrations were unchanged.

Between 1882 and the late 1890's a number of different board covers for these three books have been seen.

I have been unable to prioritize these books. In some instances though they can be grouped together.
The three books just below have similar circle designs/pictures on the front covers. They were probably all published together.

The books below also appear to be part of the same format.
The back covers have similar circle and triangle patterns. One of these books below has an 1884 inscription. Otherwise I cannot date these books exactly.

In 1884 two new books were added to the series: A 104 page Pilgrim's Progress in Words of One Syllable was added to the series. Also Josephine Pollard's The History of the United States Told in Words of One syllable.

In late 1885 McLoughlin published the first of several books that formed a complete history of the civil war.

These titles were published in Cloth ($2.00) and boards ($1.25) until the mid 1890's.

In 1887 Life and Battles of Napoleon Bonaparte by Helen W. Pierson was added to the series. At that time the books were only published in board covers at $1.25.

General Sherman in cloth	General U. S. Grant in cloth

In 1891 there were two separate One Syllable Series.
The following books were $1.25:

Our Naval Heroes' cover was changed and Columbus appeared for the first time.

The other series included these titles. They were priced at 50 Cents.
Each of the books of this format have the same stereotypical spine. See below.

The cover for Swiss Family Robinson changed later:

In 1895 the Life of Washington by Josephine Pollard was added to this group.

In 1892 two one syllable religiously oriented books were published in board covers and cloth.
Board covers cost 75 cents and the cloth book cost $1.25. They are 10.5" x 9". Both books are written by Mrs. Helen W. Pierson.

In about 1903:
Oversized-Book appropriate picture, cloth, gilt title lettering. These covers have been seen in numerous colors.

The Lives of the Presidents which was copyrighted in 1903 lists Theodore Roosevelt as the last president in the book. Later versions of this title note later presidents.

By 1906 in the McLoughlin catalogue nine titles were listed in the "One Syllable Books Series". They were priced at 50 cents.
The original authors were listed in the ads.

These Lives of the Presidents Books are 148 pages and list up to Woodrow Wilson in 1913.

Mid teens format for this book

Block format.
These ten titles were published By McLoughlin Bros. beginning in the early teens.

These books have been seen in two sizes with two different dust jackets. The smaller (and presumably) earlier books have rather plain jackets which match a slightly earlier format of the title and are 9.5" x 7.75". The later books have a multicolored jacket that has a little vignette for each of the ten books. Those books are 9.75" x 8".

I am still unclear as to the exact dating of these formats. The later book was being published as early as 1918.

This book has 148 pages and notes Woodrow Wilson as the president as late as 1913.

These books lists Warren Harding (1921) as a president. They are 158 pages.