How to Identify a Sheldon and Company First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• 1854–1859 (Sheldon, Lamport & Blakeman; then Sheldon, Blakeman & Co.): no first-edition statement or code; date the book by the multi-partner imprint name and the 115 Nassau Street address. First printing inferred from agreement of title-page and copyright dates and absence of a later-printing notice.
• 1859–1897 (Sheldon & Company): no systematic first-edition designation. First printing identified by the title-page date matching the copyright date, no later printings listed, and (for heavily reprinted textbooks) by edition/printing or stereotype-plate notices when present. Because schoolbooks were reprinted from stereotype plates for years, the copyright date often understates the actual printing date — corroborate with binding, advertisements, and catalog-list datable content.
• General rule for the house: points-based only; no printing code was ever adopted.

Notable points & cautions

• Founded by Smith Sheldon, who came to New York and bought out Mr. Law's interest in Lamport, Blakeman & Law; 'Sheldon, Lamport & Blakeman' established spring 1854 at 115 Nassau Street.
• Lamport retired in 1856 (firm became Sheldon, Blakeman & Co.); Blakeman left in 1859 to form Blakeman & Mason, at which point the firm became Sheldon & Company.
• Acquired Lewis Colby & Co.'s religious list and the Lamport, Blakeman & Law schoolbook list — became a major textbook/schoolbook, religious, and juvenile-series publisher.
• Stereotype-plate reprinting means copyright date does not equal actual printing date on many readers and spellers; treat dating cautiously. The firm stopped publishing in 1897.

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Sheldon, Lamport & Blakeman (1854–1856), Sheldon, Blakeman & Co. (1856–1859), Sheldon & Company (1859–1897). Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Sheldon and Company book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. 1854–1859 (Sheldon, Lamport & Blakeman; then Sheldon, Blakeman & Co.): no first-edition statement or code; date the book by the multi-partner imprint name and the 115 Nassau Street address. First printing inferred from agreement of title-page and copyright dates and absence of a later-printing notice. 1859–1897 (Sheldon & Company): no systematic first-edition designation. First printing identified by the title-page date matching the copyright date, no later printings listed, and (for heavily reprinted textbooks) by edition/printing or stereotype-plate notices when present. Because schoolbooks were reprinted from stereotype plates for years, the copyright date often understates the actual printing date — corroborate with binding, advertisements, and catalog-list datable content.

Does Sheldon and Company use a number line?

1859–1897 (Sheldon & Company): no systematic first-edition designation. First printing identified by the title-page date matching the copyright date, no later printings listed, and (for heavily reprinted textbooks) by edition/printing or stereotype-plate notices when present. Because schoolbooks were reprinted from stereotype plates for years, the copyright date often understates the actual printing date — corroborate with binding, advertisements, and catalog-list datable content.

Is a book-club edition a Sheldon and Company first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded by Smith Sheldon, who came to New York and bought out Mr. Law's interest in Lamport, Blakeman & Law; 'Sheldon, Lamport & Blakeman' established spring 1854 at 115 Nassau Street.

What era does this cover?

This covers Sheldon and Company (1854–1897). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.