Baker & Scribner, New York

The firm Baker & Scribner was in business between 1846 and 1850. Charles Scribner and Isaac Baker established their publishing firm in New York City at 145 Nassau Street. Isaac Baker died in 1850 and in 1851 Charles Scribner continued the firm under the name of Charles Scribner until 1864 when it morphed into Charles Scribner & Company.

Baker & Scribner published a number of T. S. Arthur titles, all of which were first editions.

All six books of the Tales for the Rich and Poor Series were Baker & Scribner first editions.
With the exception of the 1847 cover, the six volumes had the same format, (cover and spine) in the 1848, 1849 and 1850 versions. Thus, only the title page date distinguishes the 1848-1850 formats. These volumes have no illustrations and except for the 1847 titles, there are no ads in the back of the books.

Interestingly early ads after "Riches Have Wings", book #2 was published noted some different upcoming titles for this series. These phantom titles included “Taking Boarders”, “The Poor Man”, “Rich Man" “The Widow’s Children”. “Debtor and Creditor” , a title that was actually published, was also listed in the ads. Thus, a series of seven, not six, titles were planned.

The books are cloth, brown. Blindstamped. Gold gilt spine lettering and decorative pattern. 6.25" x 4.0" (18 mo.)
A deluxe edition has been noted in 1848 with red cloth and gold gilt embellishments and lettering. (See below.)

In 1849 a variant of these six titles was bound in sheep. These volumes were sold to schools and libraries.

1. Keeping Up Appearances: or, A Tale for the Rich and Poor (Copyright and title page show 1847 in the first edition*)
2. Riches Have Wings: or, A Tale for the Rich and Poor (Copyright and Title Page show 1847 in the first edition)
3. Rising in the World: or, A Tale for the Rich and Poor (Copyright and title page show 1847 in the first edition)
4. Making Haste to be Rich; or, The Temptation and Fall ( Copyright 1847 and title page 1848 in the first edition)
5. Retiring from Business: or, The Rich Man's Error ( Copyright and title page note 1848 in the first edition)
6. Debtor and Creditor; A Tale of the Times ( Copyright and title page note 1848 in the first edition)

*The first edition of Keeping up Appearances does not state an edition on the title page. A later 1847 book noted "second edition" on the title page.

1847
1848
1849
1850

Gift books

In 1849 Baker and Scribner published Wreaths of Friendship (copyrighted 1848). It was edited by Arthur and F. C. Woodworth. This 12 mo., 240 page book contains 44 short stories/tales written by Woodworth and Arthur.

The contents of this volume are identical to the gift book published one year earlier.

1850 7.5" x 5"

The Brilliant, a Gift Book for 1850 was published by Baker and Scribner. This 8 vo. (8.5" x 6") 304 page 15 plate book which Arthur edited consists of numerous poems, short tales, etc. by a number of different authors. Reissued in 1851 with the identical contents.