Rand-Avery, also known as Rand, Avery, & Company, and as Geo. C. Rand & Avery, was a printing company in Boston during the 19th century. [1] The company went bankrupt in 1888. [2] [3] Rand Avery Supply Co. was a successor firm and continued into the 20th century. [4]
George Curtis Rand (13 December 13, 1819 - December 30, 1878) established Rand, Avery & Company. He was related to William Rand, who was one of the founding members of Rand, McNally & Company, and Franklin Rand, publisher of the Zion's Herald. [5]
Promoter and controversial muckracker Tom Lawson (muckraker) took over the firm and liquidated it after losing a battle with its directors. [6]
The company occupied several buildings including 117 Franklin Street in Boston, Massachusetts. [6]
The firm printed sailing cards, travel and sightseeing guides for rail passengers, and area histories.
It published Harriet E. Wilson's novel Our Nig in 1959. [7]
In 1860, the firm was a printer for Walt Whitman. [8]
The firm printed the first edition of Uncle Tom's Cabin. [9]
It was one of the printers of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper. [10] It also published Edwin M. Bacon's Dictionary of Boston in 1883 and included an advertisement insert with an engraved drawing of a printing operation. [11] It printed a herald for the Barnum and London Circus. [12]
The company printed documents for railroads including maps. [13]
Moses King worked at the firm before moving on to establish his own printing company.