Out deals for Business (or Robert Frost's Career) by Horatio Alger, Jr. (1900 1st Edition HC w/o DJ)

Out for Business (or Robert Frost's Career) by Horatio Alger, Jr. (1900 1st Edition HC w/o DJ)


Author conceiving:   Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899)
Author completing:   Arthur M Winfield a.k.a. Edward L. Stratemeyer (1862–1930)
Publisher:   The Mershon Company New York, NY U.S.A. 1900


The first of a pair of books on the rags to riches story of Robert Frost (no, not the poet), the second one was titled "Falling Into Fortune". These were unfinished at Alger's death and completed by Arthur M Winfield, with Alger's collaboration as he could, according to the preface.

Arthur M Winfield was a pseudonym of Edward L. Stratemeyer (1862–1930) an American publisher and writer of children's fiction. In 1899, Horatio Alger wrote Stratemeyer (in his position as editor of the Good News magazine), asking him to finish one of his manuscripts. Alger was in poor health at the time. When Alger died later the same year, Stratemeyer continued to edit and finish several of Alger's other books. The famed Stratemeyer Syndicate was formed shortly thereafter in 1905.

All illustrations appear to have been made by the same illustrator not named in the text or on the title page. Initials of illustrator are T B B.

Hardcover w/o DJ. 12mo, about 7.25 inches tall, in pictorial green cloth decorated in black, white, gold, & red, front & spine. 287 pages plus three illustrations on coated paper. Page-edges tinted green. Interior is tight, text unmarked. Early owned by collector who developed a typed ex-libris form pasted into front papers, penciled pricing from bookseller on same page. Book has been handled with patina befitting to its age.

Size: 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall, 290pp
Condition: Good Hardcover w/o DJ – 1st Edition, Always privately owned.

Copyright 1900. Colophon implies 1st edition produced in 1900. No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR.

Invest for the future in quality from our past!


Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.”  Booksellers needed some word to describe this...

Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher.

Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show ownership.

Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.

Acceptable – How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)

Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most deals likely with water damage as well. Might have
missing pages (you should ask).

Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.

1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector
might desire this copy.

Thanks for looking!