J. B. Smith and Co., Philadelphia
Jas. B. Smith, Philadelphia

As early as 1825 James B. Smith was in the bookbinding business with John Robbins as Smith & Robbins. In 1846 that partnership was dissolved and Smith went out on his own as Jas. B. Smith. By 1849 he had incorporated as Jas. B. Smith & Co. In the 1850’s Smith was mainly a bookbinder, printer, lithographer and publisher of blank books. It did produce Bibles and miscellaneous books.

In 1863 the Smith firm was out of business and the blank book inventory was being sold by a former partner Fred'k Scofield.

There is evidence that this firm published two T. S. Arthur titles in the early 1850's. They are both reprints. Cloth, 18 mo. and cost 25 cents. The Young Music Teacher later sold for 50 cents.

Neither book has been seen and both are considered quite scarce.

Fanny Dale
Young Music Teacher

Here is a nice advertisement for Jas. B. Smith & Co.