Young People's Library

Published by Crosby, Nichols and Co./ Crosby, Nichols, Lee, and Co./ Crosby and Nichols/ Crosby and Ainsworth
1. Alphabet of Birds by Anonymous
2. Alphabet of Animals by Anonymous
3. Edwin the Young Rabbit Fancier by Anonymous
4. Annie and the Elves by translated by Charles A. Dana
5. Stories and Legends by Anonymous
6. Boa Constrictor by Anonymous
7. Johnny and Maggie by Anonymous
8. Princess Unca by Charles A. Dana
9. Lucy's Canary by Anonymous
10. Christmas Eve by Anonymous
11. Rose Tremaine by Anonymous
12. Just in Time by Anonymous
13. Morning Walk by Anonymous

In 1851 Crosby and Nichols introduced this series with thirteen titles. By 1852 "Morning Walk" was deleted from the series. "Lucy's Canary" and "Geordie's Dog" have identical contents. Sometimes one title was listed as being in the series. Other times the other title was listed. In 1851 Crosby and Nichols listed "Lucy's Canary". Crosby, Nichols and Company noted "Geordie's Dog" by 1852 as did Crosby, Nichols, Lee, and Company in 1860. Crosby and Nichols have lists with either title. Crosby and Ainsworth noted "Lucy's Canary" in its list.

These titles were first published in 1851 by Crosby and Nichols.
Later publications by:
Crosby, Nichols and Co. 1853-1859
Crosby, Nichols, Lee, and Co. 1860-1861
Crosby and Nichols 1862-1864
Crosby and Ainsworth 1866-1868

An 1851 "Illustrated Alphabet of Birds" has been seen. It has a gilt bird on the cover and was published by William Crosby and H. P. Nichols. It appears that this was a non series publication.

Most of the reprints were not dated so the date of publication is determined by the date that the imprint publisher on the title page was in business. This is shown above.

#4, 10 and 12 were also bound into a one volume book by Crosby and Nichols

Four formats have been seen.
Format 1. Cloth. Brown. Blindstamped with embossed cover pattern. Probably first edition format.

Both formats 1 and 2 have 1852 title page imprints. Since format 2 has also been seen with an 1853 imprint, it is presumed to be the later book. This is clearly unsettled however.


Format 2: Dated 1852 and 1853
1. Cloth gilt wreath surrounding the title which is in gilt lettering. 6" x 4.75".
Crosby and Nichols 1852
Crosby, Nichols and Co. 1853


Format 3:
Cloth. Embossed cover pattern. Spine with gilt lettering, illustrations and decorative pattern. 6" x 4.75"
This format was published by:
Crosby, Nichols and Co. (After 1853-1859)
Crosby, Nichols, Lee & Co. (1860-1861)


Format 4.
Cloth (Pebbled by Crosby and Nichols). Embossed cover pattern different from Format 3. 5" x 6".

Crosby, Nichols and Co. (A few books by this publisher have been seen. These books may have used old title pages)
Crosby, Nichols, Lee & Co. 1860-1861
Crosby and Nichols 1862-1865
Crosby & Ainsworth 1866/1868