How to identify a first printing
- Pre-1858 (Elton & Co. predecessor era): John McLoughlin Jr. took over the Elton & Co. firm around 1850; early imprints carry the predecessor name or 'John McLoughlin' and bear no edition statements. Date by imprint name, NYC address, and printing technique (woodcut with hand-stencil coloring) rather than any printed point; the earliest toy books are undated.
- 1858-1869: the firm trades as 'McLoughlin Brothers' from 1858 (Edmund McLoughlin a partner). Books are almost never dated and carry no edition statement. Date strictly by the NYC street address in the imprint (address-dating is the primary tool for the entire firm) and by printing technique (hand-stencil color).
- 1870-1900: shift to chromolithography; still undated with no 'first edition' wording. Identify the printing window via successive imprint-address states (Beekman, Greene, Duane, Broadway addresses) and copyright or series notations. Many titles were reissued for decades from the same text block, so the true first issue is the earliest address state.
- 1900-1920: some copyright dates appear on lithographed picture books and linen books; the copyright year is the best dating anchor but reflects first copyright rather than a specific printing, and no printing identifier is used.
- 1920-c.1944 (Milton Bradley ownership): sold to Milton Bradley in 1920 and the McLoughlin Division moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. The 'McLoughlin Bros., Inc., Springfield, Mass.' imprint dates a book to the post-1920 era; there is no first-printing statement, so identify by imprint location and Milton Bradley association.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded by John McLoughlin Jr. (1827-1905), who took over the Elton & Co. firm around 1850, with brother Edmund a partner; the firm name 'McLoughlin Brothers' dates from 1858.
- A pioneer of color children's books in America, using hand-stenciling early and then chromolithography and related relief-color processes.
- The single most important dating tool is the NYC street address printed in the imprint; collectors use address-change tables to date otherwise-undated toy books.
- Sold to Milton Bradley in 1920, after which a 'Springfield, Mass.' imprint signals the post-1920 era.
- Notable lines include Aunt Louisa's Toy Books, linen 'indestructible' books, paper dolls, and games.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: McLoughlin Bros., Little Showman's Series, Aunt Louisa's Toy Books, Milton Bradley McLoughlin Division. Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my McLoughlin Brothers book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Pre-1858 (Elton & Co. predecessor era): John McLoughlin Jr. took over the Elton & Co. firm around 1850; early imprints carry the predecessor name or 'John McLoughlin' and bear no edition statements. Date by imprint name, NYC address, and printing technique (woodcut with hand-stencil coloring) rather than any printed point; the earliest toy books are undated. 1858-1869: the firm trades as 'McLoughlin Brothers' from 1858 (Edmund McLoughlin a partner). Books are almost never dated and carry no edition statement. Date strictly by the NYC street address in the imprint (address-dating is the primary tool for the entire firm) and by printing technique (hand-stencil color).
Does McLoughlin Brothers use a number line?
1858-1869: the firm trades as 'McLoughlin Brothers' from 1858 (Edmund McLoughlin a partner). Books are almost never dated and carry no edition statement. Date strictly by the NYC street address in the imprint (address-dating is the primary tool for the entire firm) and by printing technique (hand-stencil color).
Is a book-club edition a McLoughlin Brothers first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded by John McLoughlin Jr. (1827-1905), who took over the Elton & Co. firm around 1850, with brother Edmund a partner; the firm name 'McLoughlin Brothers' dates from 1858.
What era does this cover?
This covers McLoughlin Brothers (1858-c.1944 (roots to c.1850; Milton Bradley division to WWII era)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.