Set of 5 Dotty Dimple Series by Sophie May (1896-7 Hardcovers) Author: Rebecca Sophia Clarke (1833 – 1906) Illustrator: M. C. Callan Publisher: Lothrop, Lee Shepard Co., Boston, MA U.S.A. 1896-7 5 out of the 6 titles in the Dotty Dimples series of stories by Sophie May. Rebecca Sophia Clarke (1833 – 1906), also known as Sophie May, was an American author of children's fiction. Using her nieces and nephews as inspiration, she wrote realistic stories about children. She wrote 45 books between 1860 and 1903. Clarke was called "the Dickens of the nursery". The children in her books were often naughty and uninhibited. She was one of the first authors to write stories for children that depicted them realistically with all their humor, imagination and mischievousness, unlike the impossibly perfect children of previous fiction. Clarke's nieces were the inspiration for her characters; Prudy, Susy, and Dotty Dimple. Her most successful stories made their first appearance as short story series in children's periodicals. These series were later published into books. Illustrations signed “MCCallan” in all five volumes. Assume this is Mary Catherine Callan (born 1871) who was active/lived in Massachusetts Missouri. Mary Callan is known as Painter, illustrator, teacher. Titles included: Dotty's Flyaway, 200pp. Copyright 1869 1897 At Play, 184pp. Copyright 1868 1896 At Home, 171pp. Copyright 1868 1896 At School, 168pp. Copyright 1869 1897 Out West, 171pp. Copyright 1868 1896 Books have been handled by a child. Some corners torn off pages, loose pages, with internal markings, including prior owner's name on ffep, still volumes are complete with square corners. Size: 16mo - over 5 - 6" tall, 5” linear shelf-space Condition: Good minus Hardcover w/o Jacket – Always privately owned Copyrights 1868-9, renewed 1896-7. No further edition/printing info found. No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR. Notes on Condition/Edition ratings: Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new”. Booksellers needed some word to describe this... Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. Very Good – How you or I might take care of a book, closer to “as new” than standard. Might show ownership. Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” The most likely condition for books of this age title, shows the book has been read or previously owned. Acceptable – How a child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.) Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask). Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end. 1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy. Thanks for looking!