R. T. Young, New York

This firm published the T. S. Arthur's six title Tales for the Rich and Poor Series.

The R. T. Young house was active in New York at 140 Fulton Street from late 1852 to 1854. After being in the employ of Wm. Holdredge, R. T. Young succeeded the Wm. Holdredge book publishing firm in 1852. J. M. Fairchild & Co. succeeded the R. T. Young firm in 1855.

The Arthur series had previously been published by Baker & Scribner, Charles Scribner and Wm. Holdredge. Later it was published by J. M. Fairchild & Co., Hubbard & Burgess and Collins & Brother.

Thus, the R. T. Young books are not first editions. The first editions were published in 1847/1848 by Baker & Scribner.

This New York business published the set of six books in 1853 and 1854. The volumes were 18 mo. (6.25” x 4.25”) and were bound in either blue or red cloth. Ads in 1853 noted the books were priced at either 38 cents or 37.5 cents each. The books of the series were also available as a boxed set.

Tales for the Rich and Poor
1. Keeping up Appearances; A Tale for the Rich and Poor
2. Riches Have Wings; A Tale for the Rich and Poor
3. Rising in the World; A Tale for the Rich and Poor
4. Making Haste to be Rich; or, The Temptation and Fall
5. Debtor and Creditor; A Tale of the Times
6. Retiring from Business: or, The Rich Man’s Error

Three cover formats have been seen with no clear cut priority. Some conclusions/guesses can be made. The 1853 book below has a similar cover to the later J. M. Fairchild & Co. volumes which were published in 1855. Thus, this format was most likely published in both 1853 and 1854.

The two formats with the gold gilt designs on the front cover more likely than not were published earlier than the 1853 book- perhaps in 1852 or early 1853. If this were not the case, then the unlikely possibility that at least two different covers were being published at the same time for the same titles would have to be put forth. There is no evidence from ads that Young published two different formats simultaneously.

I have yet to see a Wm. Holdredge book from this series. That cover may help determine the R. T. Young priorities.