Samuel Colman, Portland, Me, Boston and New York, NY

Samuel Colman (not to be confused with his son the painter) began in the book business as an agent in Portland, Maine. He is listed in Portland directories as early as 1826. He subsequently moved to Boston in the 1832-1833 range.

In September, 1832 Colman became associated with Lilly and Wait in the business of printing, book selling and publishing. He continued in Portland under the name of Colman, Holden and Co. and in Boston under the name of Lilliy Wait Colman and Holden. Robert Lilly died in 1834 and the new company and successor was styled Samuel Colman.

Colman remained in Boston initially at 121 Washington. By 1837 Colman was at 30 Cornhill. He moved to New York shortly thereafter and 1838 imprints noted a 114 Fulton Street, New York address. In 1839 and 1840 Colman was at 8 Astor House. By 1842 the new address was 14 John Street.

Details of another move are unknown but by 1846 Colman's imprints of its publications showed a 30 Cornhill, Boston address.

Colman mostly published reprints of T. S. Arthur books. One first edition is noted below.

In 1841 Samuel Colman published Insubordination: An American Story of Real Life. The first edition was printed by Knight and Colburn. This book is 12 mo. and 207 pages. Knight & Coburn was a co-publisher.

In 1846 Samuel Colman published this set: Arthur's Tales for the People
These books were published in wraps (25 cents) or cloth (12 mo. / 37.5 / 40 cents)

Here is an 1846 advertisement for this series.

Maiden
Wife
Mother
Married and Single
Lovers and Husbands
Sweethearts and Wives
Bell Martin
Madeline
Heiress
Pride or Principle
Stories for My Young Countryman
Broken Merchant and Other Tales (2 volumes)

Family Pride, or, The Palace and the Poor House. 12 mo., 71 pages
This was published by Colman in 1846 but is not part of the Arthur's Tales for the People series. It is not a first edition.

Novels and Tales is a large 8 vo. volume that cost $2.50.
Year of publication is unknown. Not seen and not noted in any catalogues or book lists. It is advertised in Colman specific ads. This volume included a number of Arthur's domestic romances and practical moral tales. It appears that this book is a first edition but the contents had previously been published.