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Bibliographies

Collectors' Handbooks

 

Bibliographies are an essential tool for book collectors. They tell the collector who published a first edition -- and when, what it looks like, and what details ("points") are specific markers of a first edition. Additionally, some bibliographies list all the formats published by a publisher, and sometimes all the titles in that format.

The books below are essential and authoritative guides for the Horatio Alger collector.

 

Horatio Alger Books Published By M.A. Donohue & Co.

Brad Chase, 1994

Horatio Alger Books Published by Whitman Publishing Co.

Brad Chase, 1995

Horatio Alger Books Published by The New York Book Co.

Brad Chase, 1999

Horatio Alger Books Published by Twelve Small Alger Publishers

Brad Chase, 2001

Horatio Alger Books Published by A. L. Burt

Brad Chase, 1983

Thomas D. Hurst And His Publication of Horatio Alger Books

Brad Chase, 2012

Small Horatio Alger Books Published by Thomas D. Hurst

Brad Chase, 1995

A Collectors Guide to the Published Works of Horatio Alger, Jr.
(the Mattson & Davis "green book")

Bob Bennett, 1999

  • The term "Bennett" refers to this book.
  • Along with Ralph Gardner's bibliography, this is considered the definitive reference for Alger collectors.
  • Bennett disagrees with Gardner on several first editions, which has lead to the terms "Bennett First", for a first edition which meets Bennett's points but not Gardner's, and "Gardner First", for a first edition which meets Gardner's points but not Bennet's. For the most part, however, the two do not contradict each other.
  • This book is a complete bibliography, not just a guide to first editions; it lists Alger's short stories, articles, poems, serializations, and other works as well.

Horatio Alger: Or, The American Hero Era

Ralph D. Gardner, 1964

  • The term "Gardner" refers to this book.
  • This book is both a biography and a guide to first editions.
  • Along with Bob Bennett's bibliography, this is considered the definitive reference for Alger collectors.
  • Gardner disagrees with Bennett on several first editions, which has lead to the terms "Bennett First", for a first edition which meets Bennett's points but not Gardner's, and "Gardner First", for a first edition which meets Gardner's points but not Bennet's. For the most part, however, the two do not contradict each other.