Thanks to a copyright extension introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and endorsed by Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA) in 1998 encouraged by big media companies including Disney, there was a 20 year delay in adding anything to the public domain. What had been a 75-year single term for works for hire became an innovation-stunting 95 […]
Happy Birthday, Edward Stratemeyer
Today is the 158th anniversary of Edward Stratemeyer’s birth on October 4, 1862. Over his lifetime his birthday was remembered by family and fans. Like many of his readers, his own birthdays were celebrated with the gift of books. Upon learning about the death of Horatio Alger, Jr., Edward wrote to Alger’s sister, Olive Augusta […]
The Ted Scott series takes off
The first volume of the Ted Scott series was an obvious retelling of the first solo Transatlantic flight by Charles A. Lindbergh in May 1927. From time to time a reference is made to how quickly the story was rushed into print. An examination of the dates is interesting. Charles Lindbergh departed from Roosevelt Field, Long Island, […]
Hawaiian Volcano
The present-day eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii calls to mind the Stratemeyer family connections with Hawaii and its volcanoes.
Happy Birthday Edward Stratemeyer
On This Date — Sept. 28
On this date, Sept. 28, in 1906, Edward Stratemeyer received a letter from The American Boy magazine about a mailing label machine.
On This Date — Sept. 16
On this date, September 16, in 1919 Edward Stratemeyer responded to a young fan and revealed some things about how he became a writer. The Rover Boys Second Series is mentioned.
Marginalia — Ed Zuckerman
Ed Zuckerman noticed that the Hardy Boys published in 1976 were not the same as the ones he grew up with. Investigating this, he learned of the revised texts and Leslie McFarlane. He corresponded with the first ghostwriter of the series and got this copy of The Secret of the Caves signed after he had marked passages to use in an article he wrote for Rolling Stone magazine.
The Gift
Regifting or exchanging a gift is a common activity after the holiday season but it is not especially new. Here is a rare instance when Edward Stratemeyer felt obliged to return a book he received from a publisher.
Happy Birthday, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams
Celebrating Edward Stratemeyer’s eldest daughter, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams, who led the Stratemeyer Syndicate for more than half a century, twice the span her father was in charge.