Edward Stratemeyer: Author and Literary Agent
Edward Stratemeyer: Author and Literary Agent
Early Writing
Edward attended public schools and graduated as valedictorian of
the three-student class of 1879 from Public School No. 3 of Eliza-
beth, NJ.8 Observing his interest in writing, the principal of the
school, William D. Heyer, gave Edward additional instruction in
writing and rhetoric.9
While still in school, Stratemeyer began what would become his
writing career. An early story, “Dick’s Composition,” was writ-
ten when he was 14 and published years later in the Christmas
1883 issue of The Experiment, a short-lived amateur story paper
from New Bedford, MA.10
Around the same time that this story was written, Stratemeyer
collaborated with a young friend, named McNeirny, to put out at
least one issue of an amateur story paper called Our Friend.11
The first page of this small publication features the beginning of a
serial called “Revenge! or, The Newsboy’s Adventure.” The first
installment is unsigned but appears to be by Stratemeyer. The
hero is
a tall boy about fifteen of age, his face was not of the common
type, his clothes too was neat and clean. [sic]
This was Edward Burnett generally called Ned the Newsboy.12
The story continues and tells of Ned’s father who had been a banker
Edward Stratemeyer in 1891, age 29. in New York but has taken a new job as a detective and his current
case invoves counterfeiters.13
As a boy, Edward Stratemeyer (1862-1930) was an enthusiastic Ned took a deep interest in all the cases which his father unrav-
reader of the works of Horatio Alger, Jr. (1834-1899) and “Oliver eled and declared that he would become a detective when old
Optic” (William T. Adams (1822-1897)). He is said to have declared enough.14
that if he could write stories like those of his favorite writers, he The story is cut off after a few dozen words into the second chap-
would be the happiest person alive.1 ter. It seems unlikely, however, that additional issues were
Edward Stratemeyer was born to Henry J. Stratemeyer (1815-1891) published.
and Anna Siegel (1828-1905) on October 4, 1862. He was the young- A few months later, Stratemeyer published another small story
est son of Henry, who emigrated from Germany to the United paper on his own which was called The Young American. 15 This
States in 1837.2 The Stratemeyer family came from a distinguished single issue fragment contains the first installment of “Tom and
line of “scholars, churchmen and musicians.”3
Henry traveled west to California in search of Gold and was listed
in the 1850 U.S. Census in California.4 Edward alluded to his
father’s background in the introduction to Oliver Bright’s Search
(Lee & Shepard, 1899) . The wedding ring of Edward’s daughter,
Harriet Stratemeyer (1892-1982), to Russell V. Adams (1888-1965)
was made from a nugget of gold found by Henry Stratemeyer.5
Henry returned to the East upon learning of the death of his elder
brother, George Edward Stratemeyer (1819-1854), the first husband
of Anna Siegel, who had died during the cholera epidemic.6 After
settling his brother’s estate, he married Anna. Henry opened a
tobacco store (212 Morris Ave., Elizabeth, NJ) and several of his sons
Elizabeth Public School No. 3 and its principal, William D. Heyer.
Two amateur story papers containing some of Stemeyer’s earliest writing: Our Friend (1876) and The Young American (1877).
Matt; or, The first Pantomime.”16 This issue contained ads for these were an additional use for that equipment. One of the sto-
stamp collectors from various parts of the country. The ries about Edward Stratemeyer’s childhod was that he had a toy
entrepeneurs offered between 25¢ and 75¢ for the placement of printing press and that he published small items to amuse his
their ad copy. The publisher was requested to send a specimen friends and family.17
copy of the publication to receive payment. Another copy of the Around this same time, Stratemeyer published two small chap-
story, slightly longer than the one published in The Young Ameri- books. The first was That Bottle of Vinegar in 1877.18 This
can fragment was typeset as if it were to be published as a book four-page booklet is very small and has a yellow cover. The ink
with a single wide column per page rather than two columns. was not allowed to dry sufficiently and text from facing pages can
It is possible that these two publications were school projects. It be seen in the two known copies.
was not unusual for schools to have a newspaper and possibly The second of these, The Tale of a Lumberman (1878)19 is much
That Bottle of Vinegar (1877) and Tale of a Lumberman As Told by Himself (1878).
The lumber mill of A. Heidritter & Sons in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
longer (approximately 32 pages) and appears to transcribe the ad-
ventures of a trip into the Maine woods. Five copies of this latter
booklet are known, including three at NYPL and two in private
hands. At first the subject matter of the booklet seems beyond
Stratemeyer’s experience until it is remembered that his sister,
Anna, married Frederick L. Heidritter, who owned a lumber mill
with his brother August. 20
At his high school graduation in 1879 at the age of 16, Stratemeyer
delivered the valedictory address on the topic of “Experience.”21
Afterward, Stratemeyer received additional tutoring from
W.D. Heyer, and he maintained a life-long friendship with his
school principal and even sent him copies of his books once his
writing career was established.22
Immediately after high school, Stratemeyer’s writing career seems
to have paused, possibly due to the lack of support from his father
in this profession. Two of Stratemeyer’s half-brothers, Maurice
and Henry Jr., opened Stratemeyer Bros. in 1876. The latter left
the business after a few years to pursue other interests. Maurice
expanded his store and it reflected his interests in music and he
even conducted “Stratemeyer’s Orchestra.”23 This situation meant
that Henry Sr. would need help in his store and Edward is said to First page of Edward Stratemeyer’s valedictory address.
Graduation program for Public School No. 3 of Elizabeth, New Jersey, of which Edward Stratemeyer was valedictorian.
have worked in this store. However, 1883 showed some new ac-
tivity in Stratemeyer’s fledgling writing career.
In January and February of 1883, Stratemeyer published two is-
sues of Our American Boys. Each of these 8-page story papers
contained a number of short stories and serial parts, under several
pseudonyms, along with advertisements, jokes, and a puzzle de-
partment. The pseudonyms used here are Stratemeyer’s earliest
known: “Ed Ward,” “Robert Rollic,” and “Will Smith.” Some of
these names and stories were reprinted as filler material in his other
story papers, like Young Sports of America and Bright Days, and
even some books.24 In the spirit of recycling material, Stratemeyer
offered copies of A Tale of a Lumberman as a premium to people
who would gather as many subscriptions as possible. Considering
the quantity of material, he must have been writing some it through-
out 1882.
Stratemeyer also offered stories to other amateur story papers, in-
cluding his “first” story written when he was 14 years old (in 1876)
to The Experiment of New Bedford, MA.25 He used his “Robert
Rollic” pseudonym for a story published in The Boys’ Courier of
St. Louis, MO.26 Stratemeyer submitted a short story to The Penny
Magazine around June 1884, called “A Horrible Crime.”27
After this brief flurry of activity, little is known about Stratemeyer’s
writing. Some partial manuscripts from 1885 for short stories and
even lyrics to a song exist. A sample of poetry or song lyrics called
“My Grand-daddy’s Cane” is part of the NYPL collection.28
One of the short story fragments appears to be a romance entitled
The Experiment (Christmas 1883) contained the publication of the
first story Stratemeyer wrote in 1876 when he was 14 years old.
The second issue of the story paper written and published by The Boys’ Courier (Oct. 1883) contained the first installment of a
Edward Stratemeyer called Our American Boys (Feb. 1883). story by Stratemeyer called “Our Adventure” as by “Ed Ward.”
A religious poem which appeared in the Illustrated Christian
Weekly (6 Apr 1889) under the “Arthur M. Winfield” pseudonym.
The Perfume Prince.32 He also tried his hand at poetry and had
one poem published in The Evening Sun33 and another in the
Illustrated Christian Weekly.34
Professional Writing
Probably the most popular Stratemeyer legend is how he got his
start in writing. It has seen many variations. Most of the early
interviews with Stratemeyer focus on his latest books. Only the
article by George Waldo Browne (1850-1930) in 1902 mentions that
The first page of a two-page manuscript fragment for a romance.
his first story was written and set aside for a year. 35 The earliest
“Crele” which is the name of the heroine.29 There are probably version of this famous legend I can find is in a 1917 interview for
other examples from this era which are simply not dated. Amid the Newark Sunday Call.
this, he had time to co-chair a dance social in 1886.30 Perhaps the The story of a successful writer’s first accepted story possesses
romantic topic of “Crele” was not coincidental. a certain fascination for his admirers that nothing else quite
In 1887 and 1888, Edward wrote the librettos for two operettas equals. Mr. Stratemeyer’s first story was written on sheets of
which were composed by his brother Louis, Love’s Maze 31 and store wrapping paper and later copied neatly on white paper–
and laid away.
“It ran about eighteen thousand
words,” said its author reminiscently,
“and my father told me I was wast-
ing my time and might better be doing
something useful. I had to send that
story out, however, and I finally se-
lected the editors of Golden Days, a
young people’s weekly published in
Philadelphia, to judge it. When I re-
ceived a letter telling me that they
were reading it and asking what I
would take for it I was elated. I
wanted more than anything else to see
it in print! The editors of Golden
Days sent me a check for $75 for the
story.”
Three versions of “Victor Horton’s Idea”: on sewn construction
paper, lined and embossed note paper, and in publication.
Noah Brooks
Stratemeyer also served as a reporter for the Newark Daily
Advertiser under Noah Brooks (1830-1903) . According to one
interview, Edward spent much of his spare time writing and it
was Brooks, himself an author of juvenile books, who suggested
that Stratemeyer take up writing full time.40
Brooks was born in Castine, ME, and after graduating the public
schools, he studied landscape painting long enough to learn that
his career would be in another field. At the age of 20 he became
a reporter for a Boston daily newspaper, the Atlas. Next, he went
to Illinois and Kansas and soon afterward set out for California
by ox team. This trip provided him with material for his most
famous book, The Boy Emigrants (1876). While in California, he
established a newspaper and contributed regularly to the Over-
One of Stratemeyer’s early professional publications was
“Jack the Inventor” as partially published in The Holiday (1891). land Monthly and became a close friend of Brete Harte (1836-1902),
its editor.
He was also a friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he met in Illi-
nois. At the beginning of the Civil War, he went to Washington,
D.C. to serve as a war correspondent for the Sacramento Union.
“Brooks was invited to become Lincoln’s private secretary, but
the assassination occurred before he assumed his duties, and luckily
a severe cold kept him away from the presidential box on the fatal
night.”41
He then continued his newspaper work as managing editor of the
Alta California (5 years), night editor of the New York Tribune
(4 years), and an editorial writer for the New York Times (8 years).
The Boy Emigrants was published shortly after he joined the
Times. He then became the managing editor of the Newark Daily
Advertiser, where he knew Stratemeyer, for ten years before retir-
ing in 1892 and returning to Maine.42
Expanding Markets
Stratemeyer seems to have taken his advice for he began writing
in earnest at this time. In the following years, Stratemeyer ex-
panded the publishers and publications to which he submitted
manuscripts, including dime novels for Beadle & Adams and
Street & Smith and serials for Argosy and Good News.43
1891 was a year of change and transition for Edward Stratemeyer.
In that year, he courted and married Magdalene Baker Van Camp
(1868-1935) and his father, Henry Julius Stratemeyer died.44 In an
early interview, Magdaline, “before her marriage in 1891, was
well known as a clever writer of juvenile stories.”45
Edward further honed his skills as an editor when he joined the
editorial staff of Street & Smith for $40/week for three weeks in
December of 1892, the day after his daughter, Harriet, was born.46 An 1894 issue of Good News containing a serial published
By 1894 he was the editor of Good News where he remained until during the time when Stratemeyer was its editor.
1895. In that same year, Stratemeyer became associate editor of its name be changed to Young People of America.47 As the
Young Sports of America. He contributed numerous short stories publication’s demise seemed imminent (Nov. 4, 1895), Stratemeyer
and serials to the publication (as did its publisher, Frank J. Earll), bought back the copyrights for numerous stories, mostly written
most of which were published under pseudonyms, and urged that by him but including “Blue Water Rovers” by “Victor St. Clair.”48
George Waldo Browne (1851-1930) was one of the few outside con-
tributors for Young People of America. His works often appeared
under his “Victor St. Clair” pseudonym when published in a vari-
As associate editor of Young People of America, Stratemeyer Stratemeyer purchased the copyrights for “Blue Water Rovers”
purchased some stories from outside contributors, like from Young Sports of America and later offered the book to
George Waldo Browne, and submitted them to the Thompson & Thomas who published it in 1902 along with a
publication’s editor and publisther, Frank J. Earll. book written by Stratemeyer, The Young Naval Captain.
ety of story papers, dime novels, and books.49 Stratemeyer re- It is perfectly understood on our part that our agreement does
ceived the installments for Browne’s “Blue Water Rovers,” paid not debar you from selling serials to the publishers of serial
for them, and submitted them to Earll.50 publications.55
When Young People of America folded, Stratemeyer sold his own On February 8, 1896 he receive additional clarification which
tobacco and stationery store and began his own story paper, Bright opened the door to future publications:
Days. This publication used the same mailing address as Young ... we have no objection to your placing books, under your own
People of America and a number of the serials and short stories name, in the hands of the other publishers.56
were reprinted in Bright Days. This publication lasted for slightly
less than a year, first as a monthly and later as a weekly. It con- Of interest is the fact that Arthur James Saalfield was a principal
tained numerous reprints of stories by Horatio Alger, Jr. 51 officer in Merriam. He purchased the Werner Company of Ak-
ron, Ohio, on January 1, 1900 and renamed it the Saalfield
1897 was marked by an economic depression which led to the Publishing Company. A few of Stratemeyer’s books were pub-
demise of most of the story papers of that era. Many of lished by this firm in 1901 and 1902.57
Stratemeyer’s writing friends were having a hard time finding
markets for their publications and although his attempt at creat- With virtually no copies on the market, Stratemeyer sought other
ing the Comrades Publishing Company seemed hopeful, it too publishers for hardcover editions of his serials. He next approached
failed.52 W.L. Allison who published 12 of his stories simultaneously un-
der Stratemeyer’s name and two pseudonyms, “Arthur M.
From Story Papers to Cloth Books Winfield” and “Captain Ralph Bonehill.”58 Unfortunately, since
these books were published in 1897, they sold poorly.
The first books written by Edward Stratemeyer were re-edited
versions of his story paper serials. Beginning in January 1894, In 1898, Stratemeyer offered a book to Estes & Lauriat of Boston
Stratemeyer tried to reacquire the copyrights to his stories when- which became the initial volume in the Minute Boys series. When
ever possible. One publisher which would not sell back his stories he declined to continue the series, additional volumes were writ-
was James Elverson of Golden Days.53 They continued to pub- ten by James Otis Kaler (1848-1912).59
lish his stories as late as 1907. Stratemeyer’s next publisher association was with Lee & Shepard
The first Stratemeyer book was Richard Dare’s Venture and it of Boston. He planned a story about two boys on a U.S. battle-
was published by Merriam in 1894. However, for a variety of ship. After Admiral Dewey’s victory in Manila, Stratemeyer
reasons, this company sold few of Stratemeyer’s books and in the proposed the Old Glory series to the new editor, Warren F. Gre-
fall of 1897 went into receivership.54 Even at this early stage, gory. The book was published in July 1898 and by Christmas of
Stratemeyer was covering his ability to expand into this market. that year, some 6,000 copies had been sold.60
On May 29, 1894 Stratemeyer received a letter along with his When Lee & Shepard’s star author William T. Adams died on
copies of the contracts which stated: March 27, 1897, George Waldo Browne was asked
By the fall of 1897, the Merriam company, who published By Christmas 1898, Stratemeyer’s Under Dewey at Manila had sold
Stratemeyer’s first hardcover book had passed into receivership. 6,000 copies. In later years, when the subject was less topical,
A revised edition was published in 1899 by Lee & Shepard. sales dropped to a trickle as fewer than a dozen copies were sold.
The original site of the Mershon Company press was in the The original Mershon press. It is unknown if this press was used
upper floor of this three-story home in Rahway, New Jersey, for any of Stratemeyer’s books or in its efforts to print books for
near Stratemeyer’s home town of Elizabeth. other publishing companies.
... who there was among the young writers of juvenile stories to new stories and the following year he offered clothbound edited
take the place so long filled by the late “Oliver Optic.” I re- reprints of serial fiction which he owned. The series was, of course,
plied, without dreaming of being a prophet: “I do no know, unless The Rover Boys’ Series for Young Americans and Stratemeyer
it is Edward Stratemeyer.” Inside of a year the truth of my continued to add volumes to this series through 1926. The indi-
words was verified.61 vidual stories were called the Boys’ Own series for the purpose of
Stratemeyer wrote the final volume in Optic’s Blue and Grey on the contract and included (serial titles):
Land series, An Undivided Union, which was published by Lee & “The Land of Fire” by “Louis Charles”
Shepard in 1899. “Fortune Hunters of the Philippines” by “Louis Charles”
“Volcano Island” by “Mark Marline”
Author and Literary Agent “Malcolm the Waterboy” by “D.T. Henty” (Americanized from some
old English source)
At the end of 1898, he was making arrangments with a relatively “The Wizard of the Deep” by “Roy Rockwood” (boys’ story based
new publishing company, W.L. Mershon of Rahway, NJ, to offer on Verne’s idea of a trip under the ocean)
This early Rover Boys printing features the cover design A Grosset & Dunlap dust jacket using the later cover design
which Stratemeyer claims to have illustrated. printed in 1915 after the series had sold over one million copies.
Two releases (1895 and 1899) signed by Edward’s brother,
Louis Charles Stratemeyer for serial stories, two of which
were later published as books.
The second release signed by Augusta Cheney selling two plays
“By Name and Fame” by “Allen Chapman” by Alger to Stratemeyer which were published as Young Captain
“A Nobody Schoolboy” by “Roy Rockwood”62 Jack (Mershon, 1901) and Nelson the Newsboy (Mershon, 1901).
The stories by Louis Charles were either written or partially writ-
ten by Edward’s brother, Louis Charles Stratemeyer. The stories
were initially written for inclusion in Bright Days but were re-
edited for book publication.63
Amidst this, Stratemeyer had established a firm friendship with
Horatio Alger, Jr. Edward had published some of Alger’s stories
in his Bright Days and presumably they had been introduced dur-
ing Stratemeyer’s tenure at Good News. As Alger’s health failed
in 1898, he approached Stratemeyer with the option of purchas-
ing some of his partial manuscripts and completing them for book
publication. Stratemeyer agreed and drafted an outline of how
the manuscript would be split into two parts and augmented to
form publishable stories. Alger responded and gave approval
though it is doubtful that he read them in detail.64
After his death, his sister, Augusta O. Cheney, sold a series of
Alger’s incomplete manuscripts, some plays, and Alger’s scrap-
book of short stories in a series of exchanges between 1899 and
1905 where Stratemeyer would pay $75 to $150 per manuscript.
The books would be published under Alger’s name and
Stratemeyer could use a phrase like “Completed by Arthur M.
Winfield” in the books if desired.65 Stratemeyer edited and com-
pleted the manuscripts and offered them to publishers. Unlike
most of his early contracts, he required an advance on royalties
for the Alger titles (since it was an established name) which ex-
ceeded the amount he paid to Augusta.