James Miller, New York

James Miller (1822-1883) was an active publisher between 1859 and 1883. He worked as a clerk for C. S. Francis & Co. and succeeded the Francis firm with Miller’s namesake publisher after C. S. Francis retired in 1859. James Miller was considered one of the giants of New York publishing in the mid-nineteenth century. His firm concentrated on juvenile books in series. In 1868 Miller sold some of its juvenile title plates to the Allen Brothers publishing house.

Miller died in 1883 at the age of 61 at which point the James Miller publishing company publisher also passed away. Upon Miller's demise the firm was succeeded by Thomas R. Knox & Company. 1883.

An obituary in the American Bookseller stated that his "immediate cause of death was due to a shock received from papers served upon him" related to a lawsuit. How simple a time must the 19th century have been!

Here are the firm’s addresses over the years. This may help date books that have an address on the title page but no date.
1859-1860    436 Broadway
1861-1867    522 Broadway
1868-1876    647 Broadway
1877-1882    779 Broadway

Here is a trade card for James Miller - 1880

Here is an advertising cover 1877-1882

Miller was a prolific publisher of juvenile series and sets. Note the alphabetical list below.