Other series of similar later publications are the “Old Sleuth Library,” the “Wide Awake Library,” the “War Library,” the “Five Cent Weekly Library,” the “Comic Library,” the “Army and Navy Library,” the “Nickel Library,” the “Log Cabin Library,” and the “Camp Fire Library.” All these are degenerate and feeble imitations of the earlier Beadle publications, but necessary in any comprehensive collection of this most unusual and significant phase of American literature. The final group, by contrast, contains several copies of “The Novelette,” first issued in Boston by Ballou in 1857, and which is believed to have suggested to Erastus Beadle—in part at least—his great enterprise. The “Novelette” titles are pretentious and well-printed tales relating to American history.
THE LIST
The works are entered according to series, and arranged under the series in their order of issue. All works listed here, unless otherwise stated, are kept in the Reserve Room.
American tales. no. 9, 11, 14, 16, 28-29, 55, 66-67, 70, 75.
no. 55, 66-67, 70, 75 also numbered second series, no. 11, 22-23, 26, 31.
Hazleton, Harry. The prisoner of the mill; or, Captain Hayward’s “body guard.” By Lieutenant-Colonel Hazeltine [sic].... New York: American News Co. [cop. 1864.] 46 p. 8o. (no. 9.)
Willett, Edward. The Vicksburg spy; or, Found and lost. A story of the siege and fall of the great rebel stronghold. New York: American News Co. [186—?] 48 p. 8o. (no. 11.)
Warren, J. Thomas. The traitor’s doom; or, The heiress of Bella Vista. A tale of the great rebellion, in the Crescent City. New York: American News Co. [186—?] 38 p. 8o. (no. 14.)