Charles Desilver, Philadelphia

Charles Desilver (1815-1876) was the son of Thomas Desilver of the firm Desilver, Thomas & Co.
Charles operated his namesake Philadelphia publishing house between 1855 and 1875. Previously he had worked at Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co. The latter firm was succeeded by Cowperthwait, Desilver & Butler. When that firm dissolved, Charles Desilver was the successor. The house was best known for the publication of maps and school books. Desilver's two sons, Harry and Joseph T. joined him to form Charles Desilver & Sons in 1875.

This company published two series for juveniles.

Peter Parley's Juveniles by Peter Parley (Samuel Griswold Goodrich)

1. Parley's Bible Stories by B. H. Draper
2. Book of Anecdotes
3. Juvenile Tales
4. Peter Parley's Tales About Africa
5. Peter Parley's Tales About America
6. Peter Parley's Tales About Ancient and Modern Greece
7. Peter Parley's Tales About Ancient Rome
8. Peter Parley's Tales About Asia
9. Peter Parley's Tales About Europe
10. Peter Parley's Tales About the Islands in the Pacific
11. Peter Parley's Tales About the Sun, Moon and Stars
12. Peter Parley's Tales of the Sea
13. Peter Parley's Winter Evening Tales

Charles Desilver published this series in a number of different years. These books are all reprints. Editions have been noted in 1855, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1864, 1870. Thomas Cowperthwait and Desilver, Thomas & Co. had previously printed this set.

Illustrated

Format: Cloth. Various colors. Throughout the years' editions, the books were blindstamped with various embossed patterns. Spines have several different gilt decorative patterns. 16 mo.

1855

1864

1870



Parley's Biographies by Peter Parley*

1. Life of Benjamin Franklin
2. Life of Christopher Columbus
3. Life of George Washington

This set was published by Charles Desilver. Known editions were published in 1857 and 1865. One volume which contains all three biographies was also published in 1865. These titles are reprints. The books were previously published as a three book series by Desilver, Thomas & Co.
Although some ads note these three books were part of "Parley's Juveniles", most ads indicate that they were a separate series.

*These books were not actually written by Parley. The Parley name was used to improve sales.

Illustrated

Cloth. Blindstamped. Gilt spine.

None of these books have been seen.