Chatterbox

Published by American News Company

Chatterbox was first published Dec 1, 1866 in England. Originated by James Johnstone and edited by Rev. John Erskine Clarke (1827-1920) until 1902, it started as a weekly consisting of puzzles, vignettes, pictures, etc. Initially the yearly bound volumes were collated weeklies.

The American News Company was the third American Company to publish the Chatterbox. It did so yearly between 1873 and 1876. These books are reprints of the English editions. There were two formats: Boards with illuminated colored covers at $1.50 and cloth with gilt for $2.50. This firm advertised its "Little Folks" as a companion to the Chatterbox.

In 1877 this house published “The American Chatterbox”. It was described as “American in Subject and Sentiment” and thus a clear attempt to distinguish this edition from the English reprints of other companies. This title was continued into the early 1880's.

Estes & Lauriat sued a number of publishers that were printing books with the name “Chatterbox". It sought and was granted a permanent injunction against the American News Co. in 1886. Thus after this date there were no further American News Company Chatterboxes.

Both Chatterboxes had two formats.
1. Chromolithographed board covers-different for each year. 7.25” x 9.25"
2. Cloth with gilt spine and cover lettering. The “Chatterbox” books between 1873 and 1876 have the same cover. The covers for the American Chatterboxes have not been seen.

Chatterbox 1873-1876

American Chatterbox