1903 World's Classics Pocket Novel

Good morning! I have another book I've been wanting to show you all. I've had this one for a few years, cant remember where I got it, and while its technically an antique I didn't think much of it other than its a cool book. However I've gotten back into Antiques Roadshow recently and I thought there might be something in it after all, so I did some digging. Turns out its a little special.



Grant Richards had 3 publishing companies in his lifetime, the first two of which went bankrupt. His first, which this is from, began in 1897 and he had a fair bit of success with a children's series. In 1901 he started the World's Classics Series, as a pocket sized hard cover that was affordable. The 31st title, The Mill on the Floss was not released until 1903 in the new larger location at Leicester Square. Unfortunately the series proved too popular and the firm went under due to excessive demand in 1905. Oxford took over the series the same year and is still publishing them today.

In terms of monetary value its not worth much, one sold in england this month for 7 pounds + shipping, others in the US sold for about 20 or so. According to Biblio some of Grant's titles are being listen in the hundreds if not more but this is not one of these. But to have what I believe to be a first edition of the original World Series title from the original publisher, that has grown to a famous series under Oxford, from such a small time frame of the few years that he was in business, tickles me greatly. My book in particular fell into the hands of an avid note taker, there are passages underlined, and in the first half there are notes on the top of almost every page. Does the handwriting give away any clues as to decade of ownership perhaps?




Anyway thank you for reading, I really should get more into old books as I do love them.​

 

Good research.

 

Yes, handwriting can be used for dating. Standard cursive handwriting systems were adopted and taught in schools in every era and in every country. At the time your book was published and well after, students were taught Palmer Penmanship.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmer_Method

Debora

 

Interesting thank you! Ill have a little dive I think