John Murphy, Baltimore

John Murphy (1810-1880) was a native of Ireland. His family emigrated to America and as a youngster John was a printer's apprentice and a journeyman printer.

Moving from Philadelphia to Baltimore, in 1837 he joined William Spaulding in the printing and stationary business as "Murphy & Spaulding". In 1839 the partnership dissolved and the "John Murphy" company carried on as a publisher, bookseller, stationer and printer. In 1849 Michael J. Kelly joined the firm as a partner and the name changed to John Murphy & Co. In 1859 Kelly left the Murphy firm and along with another employee, John B. Piet, established Kelly, Hedian & Piet. See: 19th Century Juvenile Series - Kelly, Piet & Co.; John B. Piet

John Murphy & Co. was best known as a publisher of Catholic works including the United States Catholic Magazine. After Murphy's death in 1880, his sons ran the business.

1837-1839 Murphy & Spaulding
1839-1844 John Murphy 146 Market Street
1845-1849 John Murphy 178 Markey Street
1849-1856 John Murphy & Co. 178 Market Street
1858-1898 John Murphy & Co. 182 Baltimore Street
1899+ John Murphy Company 44 W. Baltimore Street

1872 advertising cover

Murphy published one series for juveniles: The Cabinet Library

The Religious Cabinet was published monthly beginning in 1842. It must be distinguished from the "Cabinet Library" which was a series of books for juveniles. “Highly interesting series of Moral Tales". New book every two-three months.

In 1842 "The Cabinet Library" was initiated and three books were published. In total there were nine books in the series. Although the original advertisements noted that a new book in the set would be published every two to three months. After 1843 only one book was published in 1844 and two books were published in 1846.

1. Maria, or Confidence in God Ultimately Rewarded translated from the French 1842
2. Wooden Cross by C. Schmid 1842
3. Lily of the Valley by Mary Martha Sherwood 1842
4. Joseph and His Brother; Fruits of a Good Education; Souvenir and Other Tales by Stephenie Felicite Genlis 1843
(In 1843 this book's title was Souvenir)

5. Garland of Hops
1843
6. Prascovia, or Filial Piety Count X. de Maistre by Unknown 1843
7. Lorenzo, or The Empire of Religion by a Scotch Non-Confomist 1844
8. Chapel of the Forest, Christmas Eve and Other Tales by translated from the German by C. Schmid 1846
9. Pere Gene, or The Jesuit Missionary by James McSherry 1846

By 1843 Volume #1 - Maria had been deleted from the series.

Illustrated.

Formats:

Volumes 1-4
Cloth. Gilt. 32 mo. 37.5 cents/ Ornamental paper 25 cents
Binding notes "Cabinet Library".
It is not known whether the ornamental paper format included books #5-7

Beginning by 1844:
Volumes 1-9
Cloth. various colors. Blindstamped with embossed cover pattern. 32 mo.
(Gilt edges cost 38 cents/ plain cost 25 cents.)

(Lily of the Valley)