James Miller, New York

James Miller was a New York publisher active between 1860 and 1883. It succeeded the C. S. Francis and Company firm. When Miller died, Thomas R. Knox along with his brother took over the house with a new name: Thomas R. Knox and Company.

This firm published Mayne Reid books between 1875 and 1882. Five different covers have been noted and they are shown below. Of great interest is that Miller published a different cover (Lion cover) in 1881 than the covers (Arc Cover) published in 1880 and 1882. The reason for this is unknown to me.

In 1875 Miller published four Mayne Reid boxed sets. This included 17 books altogether. In 1876 it published its lone Mayne Reid first edition: Flag of Distress (17). This book was subsequently included in the Travels by Sea and Land Series.

Miller also published "Stories about Animals". This title was not part of a boxed set. It was added to the Miller list in 1878.

These sets are listed in 1875, 1876. By late 1876 the Library of Travel and Adventure was no longer listed.

Travels by Sea and Land
Ocean Waifs
Afloat in the Forest
Boy Slaves
Giraffe Hunters
Flag Distress (added in 1876)

Tales of American Adventure
Desert Home
Forest Exiles
Boy Hunters
Man Eaters
Young Voyagers
Bruin

Tales of Foreign Adventure
Bush Boys
Young Yagers
Plant Hunters
Ran Away to Sea
Boy Tar
Cliff Climbers

Library of Travel and Adventure (This is a combination of Travels by Sea and Land and Tales of American Adventure)
Desert Home
Forest Exiles
Boy Hunters
Man Eaters
Young Voyagers
Bruin
Ocean Waifs
Giraffe Hunters'
Boy Slaves'
Afloat in the Forest

By 1879 the Mayne Reid titles were no longer separated by series but were noted in one list.
There were seventeen different volumes at this time.

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 (new book in 1876)
10. Forest Exiles
11. Giraffe Hunters
12. Odd People
13. Ocean Waifs
14. Plant Hunters
15. Ran Away to Sea
16. Stories about Animals (new in 1878)
17. Young Voyagers
18. Young Yagers

Here are the different James Miller formats. All of these have been seen in various color cloths.

This format (7" x 5.25") was published in 1875 and 1876. It was in use for all of the boxed sets. The only Reid title not in this format for those two years was the first edition of Flag of Distress. See below.

1875

 

1876

 



In 1878 and 1879 all 18 Mayne Reid titles were published in the "Elephant" format. Multiple color cloths have been seen. (7.75" x 5.25")

 



In 1880 and 1882 the "arc covers" were published for all of the titles. (7.75" x 5.25")

1880

 

1882



The Lion covers were only published in 1881. Multiple color cloths have been seen. (7.75 x 5.25")

 



Miller also published "Stories about Animals". This title was not part of a boxed set. It was added to the Miller list in 1878. I have seen this title in the “arc” format (1880, 1882) and the “lion” cover (1881).