Fox Collection: McLoughlin Brothers' File Copies

In 1903, after 55 years in business, McLoughlin Brothers issued a catalogue (4.7.10) with a picture of their works at South 11th and Berry Street in Brooklyn. Goods and carriages pour forth from a factory covering five acres of floor space. Mr. Fox clearly got a treasure when he acquired their archives.

These I take to include any number of books with editorial and illustrative changes for the American market. Mrs. Dove's Party (7.1.9) has a note to "change Rule Britannia to Hail Columbia." Mr. Crowquill is changed to Miss Teachwell (7.2.9). The Alphabet of Trades (11.1.2) has wonderful drawings of defunct trades with handwritten comments and editorial changes throughout. "B is a baker, who makes such good bread that his fame throughout London has rapidly spread" changes "throughout London" to "through the city." The History of Apple Pie (11.1.5) has notes for another edition, "Sketches to be made," and adds text too. The Good Children of the Bible (12.2.1) is marked up for a new edition and Bad Children of the Bible is crossed off the cover for the New World audience. Lost on the Sea Shore (12.2.1) has one picture, "The Boatman's Cottage," with the comment "make this more American," and another, "Looking for the Children," notes with some justice that "This is a young looking father for four children." The Story of a Troublesome Young Monkey (12.2.1) by Dr. Gore-Illa has the bite taken out of it. When they give a monkey a gun he says, "My masters said they would make a volunteer of me. They might call it volunteering, but I call it compulsion," is shortened to "My masters said they would make a soldier of me." The Religious Tract Society Alphabet House (14.1.4) has extensive notes about changes necessary for an American edition. Sixteen possible new titles are listed from Adventures of the Alphabet to The Letters on a Frolic. Harry will change to Hank, Jackdaw to Bluejay, Kine to Kitten and Queen to Quince. The size will also change. The Blue Bells on the Lea (14.2.1) is over-the-top with Anglicisms but the sole instruction is to make the gate in one vignette look American.

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