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Modern First Editions

Formats, Covers, and Points

While most first editions were published during or soon after Alger's life, several were published much later, even as late as 2002. These "modern firsts" are listed below.

PLEASE NOTE: These firsts do not necessarily represent the first time the story was ever in print. Most, if not all, of these stories and poems were previously published... perhaps as a serialization for a periodical, perhaps as part of a compilation of stories or poems. However, their first appearance published as a complete standalone volume is (for the most part) considered the first edition. This is true for all first editions, not just the "modern" firsts.

The following is meant to be a visual aid, not an authoritative guide. The Horatio Alger Society is not responsible for any mistakes made because of the information provided below.

Alger Street

J. S. Canner & Company, Inc., 1964

  • A collection of 56 poems originally published in various 19th Century publications.
  • A leather-bound limited edition of 125 copies was issued in a slipcase.

Annie Graham

Gilbert K. Westgard II, 1987

  • This book contains two short stories, Annie Graham; or, The Young Lawyer’s Fee and The Uncle’s Return.
  • Annie Graham originally appeared in True Flag on 08 November 1856.
  • The Uncle’s Return originally appeared in The Flag of Our Union on 04 February 1854.
  • The Westgard edition, published in a miniature (2.25” x 3”) limited edition of 200 signed and numbered copies, constitutes the first published edition.

Cast Upon the Breakers

Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1974

  • The first edition is indicated as such on the copyright page.

Herbert Selden (softcover)

Polyglot Press, 2002

  • Originally serialized in the New York Sun and New York Weekly Sun in 1859.
  • A privately-printed edition was issued by HAS member Bob Sawyer in 1981.
  • The Polyglot printing constitutes the first published edition.

Hugo the Deformed

Gilbert K. Westgard II, 1978

  • Originally serialized in the New York Sun in 1857.
  • A privately-printed edition was issued by HAS member Bob Sawyer in 1981.
  • The Westgard edition, published in a limited edition of 200 signed and numbered copies, constitutes the first published edition.

The Lost Tales of Horatio Alger

Acadia Press, 1989

  • Although copyrighted in 1989, the first edition was published in January, 1990 and is so stated on the copyright page.
  • This book contains a collection of 18 short stories published between 1856 and 1865 in various periodicals.

Mabel Parker

Archon Books, 1989

  • The first edition is so stated on the copyright page.

Madeline the Temptress (softcover)

Polyglot Press, 2002

  • Originally serialized in the New York Sun and New York Weekly Sun in 1857.
  • A privately-printed edition was issued by HAS member Bob Sawyer in 1981.
  • The Polyglot printing constitutes the first published edition.

The Mad Heiress (softcover)

Polyglot Press, 2002

  • Originally serialized in the New York Sun and New York Weekly Sun in 1860.
  • A privately-printed edition was issued by HAS member Bob Sawyer in 1981.
  • The Polyglot printing constitutes the first published edition.

Marie Bertrand (softcover)

Polyglot Press, 2002

  • Originally serialized in the New York Weekly Sun in 1864.
  • A privately-printed edition was issued by HAS member Bob Sawyer in 1981.
  • The Polyglot printing constitutes the first published edition.

Robert Lawson

Gilbert K. Westgard II, 1987

  • Robert Lawson; or, A Minister’s Fortunes. A Story of New England originally appeared in True Flag on 25 March 1854.
  • The Westgard edition, published in a miniature (2.25” x 3”) limited edition of 200 signed and numbered copies, constitutes the first published edition.

The Secret Drawer (softcover)

Polyglot Press, 2002

  • Originally serialized in the New York Sun and New York Weekly Sun in 1858.
  • A privately-printed edition was issued by HAS member Bob Sawyer in 1981.
  • The Polyglot printing constitutes the first published edition.

Silas Snobden's Office Boy

Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1973

  • Reprinted in hardcover by Doubleday & Company in 1973.  The earliest issue incorrectly lists “First Edition” on the copyright page.  The entry should read, “First Hardcover Edition.”
  • The first issue was published in paper wrappers by J. S. Ogilvie & Company in 1899 as No. 181 of its Sunset Series.  There are no known copies of the Ogilvie edition.

The Young Patriots

Gilbert K. Westgard II, 1987

  • This book contains six short stories which originally appeared in six successive issues of New York Weekly, 06 February – 13 March 1882.
  • The Westgard edition, published in a miniature (2.25” x 3”) limited edition of 200 signed and numbered copies, constitutes the first published edition.