Penn Publishing Company

Charles C. Shoemaker founded Penn Publishing Company in 1889. After the success of its elocution and recitation publications, Penn began to publish plays for amateurs and entertainment and education handbooks. In the early 1900s, Penn found its niche with the publication of boys’ and girls’ series books. By 1927, juvenile books accounted for seventy-five percent of Penn’s publications, while it continued to maintain several strong niches, including books on hunting and fishing.

First Edition Identification

First editions from Penn Publishing Co. have the same date on the title page and the copyright page, or, rarely, the date on the copyright page is one year later than the date on the title page with no additional printings listed.