When were Wilson’s tales Published?
The Original Tales were published from 8th November 1834 in weekly instalments through to 24th October 1840 , by which time 312 editions had been published containing 485 tales.
There were various “reprints” as the ongoing publishing continued and they were subsequently available in 6 , 3 and 2 volume sets , of similar dimensions to a family bible.
Smaller format versions subsequently became available in the late 1800’s , principally published by the Walter Scott Publishing Co., who’s edition extended to 24 Volumes.
A one volume selection of The Tales were published in 1934 , the centenary of their first publication , which was released again in 1947.
Publishing rights seem to have been owned by various companies over the years and indeed in different parts of the world. There were certainly American and Australian editions.
Not all editions actually include the publication date, but research of copies in private ownership, public libraries and available through on line book sellers seem to suggest publications subsequent to the originals in:
1830’s John Sutherland, Edinburgh
1840’s Ainsworth, Manchester
1848 Robert T Shannon, New York.
1857-59 revised edition , edited by Alex Leighton. W P Nimmo.
1857 Ward & Lock
1857 William P Nimmo
1857 Thomas & Niven (Australian editions)
1860’s? Adam & Co
1869 The Walter Scott publishing co
1870’s (?) William Mackenzie
1870 The Tyne Publishing Co
1877
1880 Gall & Inglis
1881 The Edinburgh Publishing Co
1881 edited with notes by James Tait. Joseph Irving
1883 McCready.
1884
1888
1889 Walter Scott.
1890
1891
1892 Walter Scott.
1895 Gall & Inglis
1877 Ward Locke & Bowden
1881 Edinburgh Publishing Co.
1884 Cassell & Co ; Cassell’s “Red Library”
1899 Ward, Locke & Bowden
1907 Gall & Inglis
1911 Gall & Inglis
1934 The Moray Press
1947 The Ettrick Press
1991 edited by Michael Brander, Mainstream Publishing.
“The Tales” were seldom out of print in the 1800’s and were still being given as school prizes in the early 19th century.
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