Anne Abbott

Anne Wales Abbott or, Abbot (April 10, 1808 – June 1, 1908) was a game designer, magazine editor, literary reviewer, and author.

Anna Wales Abott
Born(1808-04-10)April 10, 1808
DiedJune 1, 1908(1908-06-01) (aged 100)
Cambridge, Massachusetts
NationalityAmerican
Other namesAbbot
OccupationGame Designer, Magazine Editor

Life

Abbott was born 10 April 1808, the daughter of Reverend Abiel Abbott, a Beverly, Massachusetts, clergyman, and Eunice Abbott.[1][2]

Abbott designed the hugely popular card game Dr. Busby, which was published by W. & S. B. Ives of Salem, Massachusetts, on March 7, 1843.[3] It sold 15,000 copies in its first eighteen months.[4]

Abbott authored her second game The Game of the Races which was sold in Salem, Mass. through J. P. Jewett on January 13, 1844.[5] The Game of the Races was not published by W. & S. B. Ives as it is not advertised with other published W. & S. B. Ives games in her book, DOCTOR BUSBY AND HIS NEIGHBORS which was typeset by November 24, 1844[6][7] but not released for sale until December 28, 1844.[8]

She released her third game Master Rodbury, September 14, 1844.[9] This time she again used W. & S. B. Ives as the publisher.[10]

Abbott published her first book, WILLIE ROGERS sometime before November 24, 1844,[6][7] quickly followed by her second book, DOCTOR BUSBY AND HIS NEIGHBORS on December 28, 1844.[8]

Before 1991 Anne Wales Abbott was credited for authoring The Mansion of Happiness board game which was released by W. & S. B. Ives on November 24, 1843[6] or 1832.[11] The Mansion of Happiness was originally released in England in 1800,[12] and authored by George W. M. Fox.[12] She may have collaborated with S. B. (Stephen Bradshaw) Ives, but neither Anne nor Stephen, authored the W. & S. B. Ives published version which was an almost exact copy of the English game.

Before 1992 Abbott was credited for authoring the extremely long lasting card game of Authors which was published in 1861 by A. Augustus Smith of G. M. Whipple and A. A. Smith. They were also publishers in Salem, Mass. but the publishing house was one block away from the original W. & S. B. Ives bookstore at 230 Essex Street. That bookstore and publishing house, 232 Essex Street were now owned by Henry P. Ives, S. B. Ives son. Actually, the game of Authors was invented by "a coterie of bright young ladies" of Salem and presented by a gentleman to A. Augustus Smith for publication.[13][14] By 1861, Anne Abbott would have been in her fifties, not fitting the description of the designers of Authors.

In July 1850, Abbott reviewed Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter for the North American Review, declaring she liked the preface better than the tale. Abbott disapproved of Hawthorne's subject matter and believed he had allowed his good judgement to be carried away by "the magic power of the style." Hawthorne referred to Abbott as one of that "damned mob of scribbling women."[15]

Abbott served gratuitously as editor (1851–1858) of The Child's Friend, a literary journal for young people. Profits from the publication were directed to the relief of indigent and neglected children.[16][17]

In 1853, Abbott's Autumn Leaves: Original Pieces in Prose and Verse was published by John Bartlett of Cambridge. Children's books by Abbott include Doctor Busby and His Neighbors, Kate and Lizzie, or Six Months Out of School, Lost Wheelbarrow and Other Stories, and The Tamed and the Untamed and Other Stories.

Abbott died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1 June 1908.[1]

References
  1. Brown, Darren, Curator of Collections. Beverly Historical Society & Museum. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  2. Wolverton, Nan. "Toys and Childhood in the Early 19th Century." Old Sturbridge Village Visitor, Spring 1998.
  3. The Salem Gazette, March 7, 1843, page 2 column 1.
  4. Abbot, Anne Wales. DOCTOR BUSBY AND HIS NEIGHBORS. published by W. & S.B. Ives, Stearns Building. 1844, preface page i
  5. The Salem Observer, January 13, 1844, page 3 column 6.
  6. The Salem Gazette November 24, 1844, page 3, column 3.
  7. Abbot, Anne Wales. DOCTOR BUSBY AND HIS NEIGHBOR published by W. & S. B. Ives, Stearns Building. 1844, end page ii
  8. The Salem Observer, December 28, 1844, page 3, column 4.
  9. The Salem Observer September 14, 1844, page 3 column 3.
  10. Angiolillo Collection printed on the instruction card of the first edition of Master Rodbury and His Pupils.
  11. Adams, David Wallace; Edmonds, Victor (Winter 1977). "Making Your Move: The Educational Significance of the American Board Game, 1832 to 1904". History of Education Quarterly. 17 (4): 359. doi:10.2307/367865.
  12. Angiolillo Collection printed on the game board, The Mansion of Happiness, Laurie and Whittles publishers, [English Linen] second edition, copyright, 1800.
  13. Trow, Charles [a lifelong resident of Salem, Mass. and a former State Representative], Prose and Verse, detailed in his chapter on "parlour Games".
  14. Russack, Rick, "Who Invented the game of Authors??? - Who Invented the game of Anagrams???", Game Times, Issue No 17, April 1992, page 351.
  15. Kennedy-Andrews, Elmer. The Scarlet Letter: Essays, Articles, Reviews. Columbia University Press, 2000. p.15. ISBN 0-231-12191-1 / ISBN 978-0-231-12191-0
  16. Pflieger, Pat. American children's periodicals, 1841-1860. 2006-2008. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  17. Crowley, Donald. Nathaniel Hawthorne: The Critical Heritage. Routledge, 1997. p.164. ISBN 0-415-15930-X / ISBN 978-0-415-15930-2.
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