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Public Domain Day 2021

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 […]

The Ted Scott series takes off

Dust jacket for the first Ted Scott volume, Over the Ocean to Paris (1927).

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, […]

What the Font — 1930s Nancy Drew

DeVinne typeface used for Nancy Drew in the 1930s.

The typeface used to publish a book is of significant importance to the readability and overall success. The early Nancy Drew books, along with many other Syndicate books, used a particular typeface that was one of Edward Stratemeyer’s favorites.

Nancy Drew 50th Anniversary Gala

Harriet Stratemeyer Adams arrives in the back of a blue roadster.

As sales declined in the 1970s, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams considered whether to accept an overture from Simon & Schuster to publish new books in the series. First Grosset & Dunlap failed to do anything for the Bobbsey Twins 75th anniversary. Then they admitted they had no plans for Nancy Drew’s 50th in 1980. Simon & Schuster stepped in and hosted a gala event.

Artifact — Holiday Bookselling

Part of a Grosset & Dunlap pamphlet called Best Books for Boys and Girls, 1914.

Edward Stratemeyer was more than an author of books and proprietor of a literary syndicate, he was interested and actively involved in nearly every phase of the production, publication, and promotion of his books. For several years publisher catalogs were printed and mailed after Thanksgiving upon his direction.