Tom the Bootblack
Alger, Horatio, Jr.Tom the Bootblack, or, The Road to Success. By Horatio Alger, Jr. … illustrated. New York: A.L. Burt ,publisher, [ca. 1902]. [Format 7A]
Alger, Horatio, Jr.Tom the Bootblack, or, The Road to Success. By Horatio Alger, Jr. … illustrated. New York: A.L. Burt Company Publishers, [ca. 1902-1910] [Format 7B]
Davis, J. Watson. Illustration forTom the Bootblack. Caption: "‘Your forged document will help you little," said Mr. Grey, triumphantly. ‘I have torn it into a hundred pieces.'" p. 138. 28.7 x 18.2 cm.
Alger, Horatio, Jr.Tom the Bootblack, or, The Road to Success. By Horatio Alger, Jr. … illustrated. New York: A.L. Burt -Company, Publishers, [ca. 1905]. [Format 8]
Davis, J. Watson. Illustration forTom the Bootblack. Caption: "‘Is that your game?' said Gilbert, ‘We'll see who will be master.'" p. 221. 28.5 x 18.3 cm.
This title was published in several formats in the Alger Series for Boys. The earliest copy, in format "7A," of the " Green/Tulip Format," which in this case is the second issue of this title, was not illustrated by Davis. The scenes chosen for illustration are nearly identical. However, the later issue in the Green/Tulip Format, format "7B," does indeed feature his illustrations, although he is not listed on the title page. The final copy in this case, in the " Ornamental Diamond Format," Format "8," issued around 1905, also features illustrations by Davis, possibly printed from the same plates, given the weakening of the impression in the later copy.
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