Marco Paul's Travels and Adventures

Before Rollo travelled to Europe, Marco Paul meandered through the Northeast with his cousin (and tutor) John Forester in the "Pursuit of Knowledge". Jacob Abbott's six book Marco Paul's Travels series was initially published in 1843. It was reprinted a number of times, the latest editions being published in the 1880's.

Abbott stated in his preface that the design of these books was not just to entertain readers with a "narrative of juvenile adventures" but also to help the reader in the "acquisition of knowledge and the formation of character". As was typical of the era, books for boys and girls were to educate, promote religion and inspire morality. It was not until the 1850's with Goulding's Young Marooners that juvenile books really sought to entertain. But even the 1850's reviews cited the Marco Paul books as "among the best books which can be put into the hands of youth". Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review, William Dana, 1852.

The series:

1. In the City of New York 1843
2. On the Erie Canal 1843
3. In the Forests of Maine 1843
4. In Vermont 1843
5. In the City of Boston 1843
6. At the Springfield Armory 1843

As with the Rollo and Lucy books a number of different publishers printed the six books. (See below for details)

1. T. H. Carter-Boston (1843-1844)
2. A. V. Blake- New York ( Co-published this series with T.H. Carter in 1844)
3. Benjamin B. Mussey -Boston (1844-1848)
4. W. J. Reynolds- Boston (1848)
5. Harper and Brothers-New York (1852-1853/1880)

T. H. Carter and Company, Boston 1843-1844

Volumes 1-6 were first published in 1843. Preceding the hardcover editions the six books were published in paper covers in twelve monthly parts at 12.5 cents each. Although I am not certain, I think that the series was also published in Carter's Boys' and Girls' Magazine in 1843. This magazine was edited by Mrs. Samuel Colman.

In 1844 the Carter books were co-published with A.V. Blake, New York.

T.H. Carter and Co. 1843
T.H. Carter and Co. 1843
T.H. Carter and Co. 1843

Here is an ad from a Carter Marco Paul's book.

1843 T.H. Carter book ad

The cover of this 1843 variant is very similar to the cover of the Carter's Moral Library books (below) except that this cover has the title of the book printed on the periphery rather than the words "Moral Library".

T.H. Carter and Co. 1844
T.H. Carter and Co. 1844

Carter's Moral Library

T. H. Carter published a number of books within its "moral library" in the 1843-1844 time frame. These stories were written by various authors who "have turned their attention to this mode of benefitting the young" . Numerous non-Abbott books are known to be part of this series but the Marco Paul's books have been seen with either a spine label or cover paste-on that identifies them as part of the "Moral Library".

All six Marco Paul's were included in the Moral Library as well as being part of their own series. The cover paste-on of this book (Forests of Maine) identifies it as part of the Moral Library. (You can see "Moral Library" at the top of the back cover.)

Benjamin B. Mussey (1844,1845,1848) and Benjamin B. Mussey and Company in 1848

Mussey published the third edition of these books in 1844. Other reprints were executed in 1845 and 1848.

Mussey Titlepage 1844- Third edition	Mussey 1848

Wm. J. Reynolds and Co., Boston 1848

After Mussey (later in 1848) Reynolds published this series.

Harper and Brothers 1852

Harper and Brothers did several reprint editions between 1852-1853 and later in 1880. Harper published its editions of the first four books in 1852. It printed the last two books in 1853.

It was not until the earliest of the Harper reprints that the name of Jacob Abbott appeared on the title page. Prior to this the title page said "By the Author of Rollo, Jonas and Lucy Books". The Marco Paul series came boxed as a set by Harper. The books could also be purchased individually. In 1858 the books were 50 cents; by 1870 they were 90 cents each.

Harper and Brothers Copyright 1852		Harper and Brothers Copyright 1880

The later (1880's) Harper reprints note an 1880 copyright on the copyright page whereas the earlier (1850's) reprints have an 1852 copyright on the copyright page.