The Token and Atlantic Souvenir
Encyclopedia
The Token was an annual, illustrated gift book
, containing stories, poems and other light and entertaining reading. In 1833, it became The Token and Atlantic Souvenir.
(and briefly by Nathaniel Parker Willis
), and published in Boston
, Massachusetts
. Nathaniel Hawthorne
contributed, as did Alvan Fisher
, Abel Bowen
and other writers and artists. In 1833 The Token merged with The Souvenir to become The Token and Atlantic Souvenir, which continued until 1842.
Hawthorne mailed stories to Griswold beginning in the spring of 1829. Goodrich claims he sought Hawthorne's work after reading an anonymous work of his, possibly the novel Fanshawe
. The Token included several of Hawthorne's notable early works. including Hawthorne's "My Kinsman, Major Molineux
" (1831), "The Minister's Black Veil
" (1836), and "The Man of Adamant
" (1837). All were published without his name but proved popular. It wasn't until 1837 that Hawthorne's friend Horatio Bridge
revealed him as the author in a review of that year's The Token published in the Boston Post. As Bridge wrote: "It is a singular fact that, of the few American writers by profession, one of the very best is a gentleman whose name has never yet been made public, though his writings are extensively and favorably known."
Gift book
Gift books, literary annuals or a keepsake, were 19th century books, often lavishly decorated, which collected essays, short fiction, and poetry. They were primarily published in the autumn, in time for the holiday season and were intended to be given away rather than read by the purchaser...
, containing stories, poems and other light and entertaining reading. In 1833, it became The Token and Atlantic Souvenir.
History
The annual was chiefly edited by Samuel Griswold GoodrichSamuel Griswold Goodrich
Samuel Griswold Goodrich was an American author, better known under the pseudonym Peter Parley.-Biography:Goodrich was born at Ridgefield, Connecticut as the son of a Congregational minister...
(and briefly by Nathaniel Parker Willis
Nathaniel Parker Willis
Nathaniel Parker Willis , also known as N. P. Willis, was an American author, poet and editor who worked with several notable American writers including Edgar Allan Poe and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He became the highest-paid magazine writer of his day. For a time, he was the employer of former...
), and published in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer.Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in the city of Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, a judge during the Salem Witch Trials...
contributed, as did Alvan Fisher
Alvan Fisher
Alvan Fisher was one of the United States's pioneers in landscape painting and genre works.-Early years:...
, Abel Bowen
Abel Bowen
Abel Bowen was an engraver, publisher, and author in early 19th-century Boston, Massachusetts.-Biography:Bowen was born in New York in 1790. Arriving in Boston in 1812, Bowen worked as a printer for the Columbian Museum, at the time under the proprietorship of Abel's uncle, Daniel Bowen. In 1814...
and other writers and artists. In 1833 The Token merged with The Souvenir to become The Token and Atlantic Souvenir, which continued until 1842.
Hawthorne mailed stories to Griswold beginning in the spring of 1829. Goodrich claims he sought Hawthorne's work after reading an anonymous work of his, possibly the novel Fanshawe
Fanshawe (novel)
Fanshawe is a novel written by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was his first published work, which he published anonymously in 1828.-Background:...
. The Token included several of Hawthorne's notable early works. including Hawthorne's "My Kinsman, Major Molineux
My Kinsman, Major Molineux
"My Kinsman, Major Molineux" is a short story written by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1831. It first appeared in the 1832 edition of The Token and Atlantic Souvenir, published by Samuel Goodrich. It later appeared in The Snow-Image, and Other Twice-Told Tales, a collection of short...
" (1831), "The Minister's Black Veil
The Minister's Black Veil
"The Minister's Black Veil" is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was first published in the 1836 edition of The Token and Atlantic Souvenir, edited by Samuel Goodrich...
" (1836), and "The Man of Adamant
The Man of Adamant
"The Man of Adamant" is a short story written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was first published in the 1837 edition of The Token and Atlantic Souvenir, edited by Samuel Goodrich...
" (1837). All were published without his name but proved popular. It wasn't until 1837 that Hawthorne's friend Horatio Bridge
Horatio Bridge
Commodore Horatio Bridge was a United States Naval officer who, as Chief of the Bureau of Provisions, served for many years as head of the Navy's supply organization...
revealed him as the author in a review of that year's The Token published in the Boston Post. As Bridge wrote: "It is a singular fact that, of the few American writers by profession, one of the very best is a gentleman whose name has never yet been made public, though his writings are extensively and favorably known."