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 […]
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.
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.
Nancy Drew 50th Anniversary Gala
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.