Web Cards April 2016 - Person Sheet
NameFrances SPARKS 
Birthabt 1870
Spouses
Birth17 Jan 1870, Windsor Mills, Richmond, Quebec, Canada
Death27 Oct 1934, Riverside, Fairfield County, CT
Burial1934, Putnam Cemetery, Greenwich, Fairfield County , CT
FatherAlexander Shaw GROSSET (1839-1895)
MotherJanet FINLEY (1840-)
MarriageJun 1915, Philadelphia, PA
Notes for Alexander (Spouse 1)
Founder of Alexander Grosset & Company, 11 East 16th Street, New York, NY.
Incorporated in 1918 as Grosset & Dunlap, book publishers.
Died at his home.
He had "close friendships with all the leading publishers and was one of the most respected and beloved figures in American book publishing" according to his obituary, dated 3 November 1934.
He was one of the original board directors of the National Association of Book Publishers. [1920]
Later served as a vice-president of that organization.
Obituary in file.
Alexander Grosset and George T. Dunlap became partners in 1898. Dunlap left the firm in 1899 to go to work for Rand McNally, but came back in 1900. From then on the firm operated as Grosset and Dunlap. Grosset and Dunlap was a reprint house which bought the rights to a title and brought out a cheap edition which they could sell in quantity. Sometimes they bought cheap paperback editions, rebound them as hardbacks, and sold them at a price only slightly elevated from the paperback price.
In 1907 Grosset and Dunlap acquired Chatterton and Peek, a children's book publishing firm which published the Rover Boys series. Grosset and Dunlap began publishing this series, as well as other such popular series as the Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew.
The firm was known for inventive marketing strategies. It used in-store displays and posters, and began the practice of selling books in unusual venues such as drugstores, department stores and newstands.
Alexander Grosset met George Dunlap when they both worked for American Publishers Corporatio. When that firm went bankrupt in 1898, they formed a partnership, took over stock and went into business. Alexander Grosset managed the business and George Dunlap was the traveling salesman.
Incorporated in 1918 as Grosset & Dunlap, book publishers.
Died at his home.
He had "close friendships with all the leading publishers and was one of the most respected and beloved figures in American book publishing" according to his obituary, dated 3 November 1934.
He was one of the original board directors of the National Association of Book Publishers. [1920]
Later served as a vice-president of that organization.
Obituary in file.
Alexander Grosset and George T. Dunlap became partners in 1898. Dunlap left the firm in 1899 to go to work for Rand McNally, but came back in 1900. From then on the firm operated as Grosset and Dunlap. Grosset and Dunlap was a reprint house which bought the rights to a title and brought out a cheap edition which they could sell in quantity. Sometimes they bought cheap paperback editions, rebound them as hardbacks, and sold them at a price only slightly elevated from the paperback price.
In 1907 Grosset and Dunlap acquired Chatterton and Peek, a children's book publishing firm which published the Rover Boys series. Grosset and Dunlap began publishing this series, as well as other such popular series as the Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew.
The firm was known for inventive marketing strategies. It used in-store displays and posters, and began the practice of selling books in unusual venues such as drugstores, department stores and newstands.
Alexander Grosset met George Dunlap when they both worked for American Publishers Corporatio. When that firm went bankrupt in 1898, they formed a partnership, took over stock and went into business. Alexander Grosset managed the business and George Dunlap was the traveling salesman.