Barnes, Alfred Smith (A. S. Barnes, American Book Company)
Alfred Smith Barnes (January 28, 1817 – February 17, 1888) was an American educational publisher and philanthropist, the founder of A.S. Barnes. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Barnes began his career working for D. F. Robinson and Company of Hartford before moving to Philadelphia in 1840 to establish his own publishing business. The firm underwent several early partnerships until 1865, when it became the New York City firm A.S. Barnes and Company. Barnes focused on educational publishing, producing widely used works such as Clark's English Grammar, Davies' Arithmetic, Steele's Fourteen Weeks science series, and Monteith's Geography (Barnes's Complete Geography). His family members were closely involved in the company, helping it grow into a dominant force in the textbook market. After Barnes retired in 1880, the firm merged with several others to form the American Book Company, which continued his legacy. In the 20th century, A.S. Barnes diversified into other areas, including sports reference books, before being acquired by Thomas Yoseloff in 1958
AKA: A. S. Barnes, American Book Company
Innovative geographical textbook by the
'Master of the Margins.'
This is the 1885 edition of Barnes's Complete Geography, an influential geographical school atlas by the pioneering geographer James Monteith. The atlas is lavishly illustrated, utilizing the most advanced chromolithographic printing techniques to feature richly colored plates and maps. This textbook was foundational for American education in the late 19th century, with the atlas being present in as many as 80% of all schoolrooms. (more details)