J. M. Fairchild & Co.

Jarvis Mathias Fairchild (1832-1896) at the age of 17 moved to New York from Connecticut and began in the book business with the publisher, Clark & Austin. In 1855 as the successor to R. T. Young, Fairchild established his own firm at 140 Fulton-Street. Shortly thereafter a fire destroyed the building and by February, 1855 he had moved to 109 Nassau-Street.

Later, after his firm dissolved (around 1857-1858) he was associated with several blank book manufacturers including L. & E. Edwards & Co. and J. Q. Preble & Co. He was a religious man and served as a Deacon in his church.

Fairchild published T. S. Arthur’s six book series: Tales for the Rich and Poor. This series had previously been published by Baker & Scribner, Charles Scribner, Wm. Holdredge and R.T. Young. Later it was published by Hubbard & Burgess and Collins & Brother.

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

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

Fairchild published these titles in 1855, 1856 and 1857. Each year had a different cover but the spines and the contents were identical. These books have no illustrations.

Cloth. Red or blue seen. 6” x 4"

1855 (This cover is the same as the R. T. Young cover except the RTY logo is not present)

1856. Two different covers have been seen. Blind stamped with different patterns.
No priority has been established between the two covers.

1856 variant
1857