John Metcalf, Wendell and Northampton, Massachusetts
John Metcalf (1811-1887) was born in Barre but raised in Wendell,
Massachusetts. He operated a printing office between 1812 and 1832. In
1832 he and his family moved to Northampton, Mass., approximately
twenty miles away.
Metcalf published a twelve titles series of chapbooks yearly between
1830 and 1840. The numbers and the titles changed year to year. These
books ranged in page count between ten and twenty. A number of
examples are shown below.
Earlier chapbooks (1825 and 1828) have been noted but they were not
within a designated series.
The known numbered books are shown below. Some books are dated but do
not have a number. These are noted below the numbered list.
Of interest J. H. Butler, a Northampton publisher/printer published
series with the Metcalf title page but the Butler imprint on the
cover.
All of these series are in wraps. Various colors have been seen.
Sizes, if known, are stated. Each book has a number of line drawn
black and white pictures. The decorative border pattern is not year or
title specific.
1830
| 1. A B C with pictures and Verses |
| 2. Maria, or, The Good Girl |
| 4. School of Good Manners |
| 5. Pictures of Birds and Beasts |
| 10. Way to be Good and Happy |
| 12. Hymns for Children |
The two titles below are dated but not numbered.
Little Present
Juvenile Poems
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 |
1831 (2.125" x 3.125")
| 3. Spring Flowers; or, Early Lessons for Young Children |
| 10. Lessons for Laura |
| 10. Pleasing Instructer |
| 11. Seasons |
| 12. Advice to Sabbath School Children |
The titles below are dated but the books are not numbered.
Red Squirrel
Little Verses, for Good Children
 |
 |
1832 (4.25" x 2.75")
| 2. Juvenile Poems |
| 5. Good Boy |
| 6. Good Girl |
| 7. Little Rhymes for Little Readers |
| 8. Little Harry and the Apples |
| 9. Pictures of Animals |
| 10. Little Present for a Good Child |
| 11. Shepherd Boy |
| 12. Duties of Children |
The titles below are dated but not numbered.
Pleasing Toy
Juvenile Poems
Lessons for Laura
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
1833
| 12. Little Verses for Good Children |
The book below was dated but not numbered.
Pleasing Instructor
 |
1834
| 3. Little Story for a Little Boy |
| 5. Book of Pictures and Verses |
1835
| 1. Pleasing Toy |
The books below were dated but not numbered.
Duties of Children
Little Rhymes
 |
1836 (2.5" x 4.25")
| 5. Good Girl |
| 12. Duties of Children |
The titles below are dated but not numbered.
Juvenile poems
A B C Book, with Pictures of Birds
Lessons for Laura
Little Rhymes for Little Readers
William Parker, or, Don't Be Afraid to be Laughed At.
1837 (3.31" x 2.5")
| 2. A B C with Pictures and Verses |
| 4. New Picture Book |
| 5. Book of Pictures and Verse |
| 6. Story for Charles |
| 7. Red Squirrel |
| 8. Little Present |
| 10. William Parker |
The books below are dated but they are not numbered.
Book of Letters
Good Girl
Little Rhymes
Little Harry and the Apples
Pleasing Instructor
Seasons
Soldier Turned Farmer
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
1838 (3" x 5.50")
The book below is dated but not numbered
Natural History of Birds
1839
The books below were dated but not numbered
Duties of Children
Good Boy
1840 10pp 2" x 3.125"
| 4. New Picture Book |
| 7. Red Squirrel |
| 9. Soldier Turned Farmer |
| 11. Seasons |
| 12. Little Verses for Good Children |
The books noted below were dated but not numbered.
A, B, C, with Pictures and Verse
Advice to Sabbath School Children
Child's Cabinet of Beasts and Birds
Milk for Babes
Good Girl
Pleasing Instructor
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