THE HIVE: A Juvenile Paper For Children And Youth : Volume I : 52 Weekly Issues: 1828-1829

From the Prospectus: "It is the intention of the Publishers of this little sheet, to present to the juvenile reader a miniature copy of a newspaper, and if they should meet with sufficient encouragement, to continue it in weekly numbers ." This miniature format was only used for this premiere edition. Published by W. and S. B. Ives, No. 6 Old Paved Street, Salem, Massachusetts, September 27, 1828 to September 16, 1829. Volume 1, No's. 1 - 52. First edition, first printing. The first 4 issues were published on Saturday, then moved to Wednesday on the 5th issue. Agents: E. Gunnison (Danvers); John Gilley (Marblehead); John Ireson (Lynn); Benjamin H. Ives (Boston). Hardbound in half leather over marbled paper boards, gilt printing on the spine, 6" x 4", 208 pages, each issue with engraved woodcut header illustration of a bee hive surrounded by flowers and bees, and a few in-text woodcuts.

VERY GOOD CONDITION: original Publisher's leather binding has some edge wear, rubbing, offsetting on the marbled paper margins from the leather, but the gilt on the spine remans bright and legible, internally, hinges tender but holding well, 52 numbered issues, lacking title page and first two pages of numbers 6, 41, and 49 otherwise complete, some random small tearing with old paper repairs, contemporary family ownership (Ashton) and ephemera to the front pastedown, family name stamp to ffep, penciled name to top of issue #1, and some foxing, small staining and toning here and there throughout, overall a handsome example of this uncommon early 19th century American children's book.

Many contemporary American newspaper editors were delighted with this new miniature kid's newspaper. Here are a few relevant quotes: "The smallest newspaper in the known world, without any dispute, has reached us from Salem," [Boston Palladium, 1828] "It is called 'The Hive,' and may be read profitably by all our little statesmen and stateswomen, in the nursery, before breakfast. The paper is six inches long by 4 in width: it has not yet declared itself on the Presidential question." [Vermont Chronicle, 1828]. The Boston Patriot and Mercantile Advertiser called it "a paper about the size of a short gingerbread cake." [14 Nov 1828; p. 2]

William Ives (1794-1875) bookseller born in Salem, joined his brother Stephen Bradshaw Ives (1801-1884) in establishing the publishing firm W. & S. B. Ives. They published a newspaper, The Salem Observer and a weekly periodical for children, The Hive (1828-1830). Before the Parker Brothers there were the Ives Brothers who are generally credited with making the first board game in America in 1830, the Mansion of Happiness, as well as the widely popular Improved and Illustrated Game of Dr. Busby. The success of the Ives Brothers basically created an industry by sparking imitation from fellow Massachusetts manufacturer Milton Bradley, New York's McLoughlin Brothers, and ultimately Parker Brothers. By the 1850s George S. Parker, founder of Parker Brothers acquired the rights to the board and card games that Ives manufactured.