John B. Alden, Chicago / New York

John B. Alden (1847-1924) was a native of Iowa. He worked as a clerk in Galesburg, Illinois and manager in a bookstore in Chicago in the 1860's. During that time as John B. Alden & Co. he published several miscellaneous books as well as the "Bright Side" which was a periodical for children. The Chicago fire caused the demise of "Bright Side". Alden published both "The True Plan" and the National Business Index in 1872. He printed a new magazine for children called "What Next?" in 1874. "What Next?" was clearly successful and advertisements for it ran into 1874.

Of interest is that in 1874 while Alden was still in Chicago he proposed and established a book exchange. He was the manager of the "Book Exchange" at 71 Dearborn Street. In about 1875 he went to New York where he was the publisher of "Hearth and Home"

In 1875 he founded the American Book Exchange in New York City. By 1877 he was in the publishing business. He printed millions of books and sold them cheaply. Mostly these were classics written by authors such as Dickens, Eliot, Ruskin, etc. The American Book Exchange went bankrupt in 1881 but Alden was back to publishing by 1883 as the "Useful Knowledge Publishing Company" as well as on his namesake imprint.

In 1885 Alden established and was president of the New York Book Company which was a manufacturer. In 1887 Alden set up the Provident Book Company which was in the business of selling Alden publications. In 1888 Alden organized the Alden Publishing Company. In 1890 Alden was arrested and charged with embezzlement of funds from the New York Book Company. Alden established the Elzevir Publishing Company in 1893. After several other name changes, he retired in 1908 to a poultry farm in New Jersey.

John B. Alden published a number of series for juveniles. These were printed in the 1883-1888 range.