Leavitt & Allen, New York

George Ayres Leavitt (1825-1888) was the son of Johnathan Leavitt, a well known bookbinder and publisher. Johnathan Leavitt partnered with John F. Trow to form Leavitt & Trow in the 1840's. Leavitt ran his father's business after the latter's death in 1851. Thereafter he partnered with John K. Allen in the newly styled firm of Leavitt & Allen. In 1862 the firm was dissolved as Mr. Allen left for the west coast and Leavitt continued on as Geo. A. Leavitt.

Leavitt & Allen published several gift books which were edited by T. S. Arthur. They are noted below.

The Temperance Offering published by Leavitt & Allen. No date on the title page or copyright page. Publication date between 1852-1856 based on the Dey Street address. First vignette is Car of Temperance and the last is King Gin. 264 pages.

Friendship’s Token published by Leavitt & Allen. No date on the title page or copyright page. First story is The Student’s Dream ( Not Car of Intemperance), the last vignette is King Gin. Six plates. 264 pages. 379 Broadway address indicates an 1856-1860 publication date.

The Temperance Gift published by Leaviit & Allen. Copyright Leavitt & Allen 1854 without a title page date.The first story of this title is The Car of Intemperance while the last is King Gin. 264 Pages. Eight plates. 27 Dey Street address indicates a date of 1852-1856.

This is another copy of The Temperance Gift. No details are available about this edition.

The Gift of Affection: A Christmas and New-Year’s Present. Published by Leavitt & Allen No title page date or copyright page date. Six plates. First story is The Student’s Dream ( Not Car of Intemperance), the last vignette is King Gin. 264 pages. 379 Broadway address indicates an 1856-1860 publication date.


Moss Rose. Leavitt & Allen. Undated title page with Leavitt & Allen copyright of 1854. First vignette is “The Portrait” and the last is ”The Parting Year”. 264 pages. 27 Dey Street address indicates a date of 1852-1856. Eight plates. This publisher printed other “Moss Rose” books that had totally different content. There is no evidence that T. S. Arthur edited any of the other “Moss Rose” books.