Worthington Company, New York

In 1874 after publishing in Montreal and Boston, R. W. Worthington established his New York house. His first New York company was styled in 1874 as R. Worthington and Company. Worthington struggled with financial difficulties throughout its life. Early on it printed elegantly bound books whereas by the mid 1880's cheaper books were the mainstay. Numerous publisher's series comprised the booklist.

From 1876 to 1885 the publisher was called R. Worthington and between 1885 to 1893 it was Worthington Company.

In 1889 Worthington published 18 Mayne Reid titles. On April 25, 1889 the Thomas R. Knox and Co. publishing house sold its copyrights and plates for eighteen Mayne Reid titles to the Worthington Company. The cost was $155 per book. The format for this set which sold for $22.50 was identical to the Knox books.

This list included:

1. Afloat in the Forest
2. Boy Hunters
3. Boy Slaves
4. Boy Tar
5. Bruin
6. Bush Boys
7. Cliff Climbers
8. Desert Home
9. Flag of Distress
10. Forest Exiles
11. Giraffe Hunters
12. Ocean Waifs
13. Odd People
14. Plant Hunters
15. Ran Away to Sea
16. Stories About Animals
17. Young Voyagers
18. Young Yagers



Unknown series
This format was published at least between 1889 and 1892. These books are 12 mo. and have been seen in multiple color cloths. Interestingly this format was also noted in some Mayne Reid titles published by the Industrial Publishing Company and the Perry Mason and Company firms.



Franklin Edition
In 1890 Worthington added Reid's "Flag of Distress" to its New Franklin Edition of Popular 12 mos. This Library consisted of more than 180 books all of which were reprints. The first of these books were published in 1883. Multiple colors have been seen.



Banner Library
In 1890 Afloat in the Forest became the twentieth number in Worthington's Banner Library. This series is described as being a collection of the best works of fiction by British and American authors. The books are 12 mo. paperback books which were sold at 25 cents. This book has not been seen.

St.Nicholas Series
The Worthington Company published all eighteen Mayne Reid titles in the St. NIcholas Series. The Worthington St. Nicholas series was published in 1890. Interestingly the only Worthington books I have seen in this series have the Worthington Co. imprint on the title page but on the spine of the book it notes the International Book Company.