The Publications of the Reliable Poultry Journal.

      Notes and information on my own bibliography, by Jim Finger © 2022.  I grant the right to the use of this material for personal use but if published then please attribute the source. Thank you.

Errors and omissions are my responsibility. If you find them please tell me.

This work commenced when I started the extensive repairs to the newspapers shown here as a near completer set.  I am still missing 3 issues from the Volume 28, and retain the matching paper and leather to complete the set. The pictorial of the repair process is elsewhere on this site.

Reliable Poultry Journal Newspaper was established with its first issue in March 1894. Each Volume runs From March with Issue 1 to Issue 12 being Feb of the next year. The pages were numbered 1-XXX for the year, but the wrappers were not included in the number sequence. The wrappers represent another 4 printed pages in each issue, 48 pages for the year. Occasional volumes were bound with no wrappers included (see individual collation).

The last issue of Reliable Poultry Journal was Volume 38 No 3 May 1931. The June issue is renamed The New Reliable Poultry Journal still numbered as Vol 38 no 4 , subtitled devoted to Poultry Garden and Home. The 6 issues flowed up to Vol 38 No 10 held this new title.

Vol 38 11 is renamed Poultry, subtitle Garden and Home. However, the publisher was still Reliable Poultry Journal Publishing Co In Dayton Ohio, advertiser for the course of study. in Vol 38 issue 12. The content changed from poultry production and breeding to poultry on the home allotment.

 Reliable Poultry Journal was responsible for publishing a number of other publications. This included breed publications, management publications, and a number of other poultry related books. 

The Breed Journals and Management booklets were all of a similar format  300mm x 220mm  published in wrappers, often stapled pages, with variable numbers of pages, mainly black and white engravings and often a colour plate.  The wrappers  were often embossed  with coloured illustrations. The wrapper base colours was variable. These can properly be regarded as ephemera as the quality of the construction was not meant to last. See comments on care.

The Special Editions in the 1920’s were bound book of a quality reflecting the boom in that period in the USA. The most popular works were produced in those special editions, all in octavo red cloth with gold titling.

And of course one can never be certain that all titles are included

As I prepared this material I became aware that many breed titles were in fact completely different variants and often missing  authors details. Just when I thought I had a complete set another title pops us.

Associated Publications and other works

I have included a number of titles by allied authors who wrote for RPJ but also published important works for other publishers.  A summary is shown at the end.

Please note I have included my own collection ID numbers to help me keep these editions organized in my mind.

Size is 300 x 220, with stapled book block and wrappers  unless indicated.

Cover Pictures if available, Reference no,  Title page, Author,  Publisher and date, distinctives of issue,  page details, pictures details  and construction.  Coments and other content. I desisted from a review of each part through lack of qualifications, lack of time and lack of space. However at times this article will be amended as I find items to add or comments about. I have left space for readers of the print version to add their own comments and notes.

Book Care.

Almost all the breed and management books in the 300 x 220mm format and a few of the smaller booklets were produced from low cost materials. They were designed not to last forever but to be used and replaced with later versions as knowledge developed. They were produced one step up from the newspapers, but still as budget publications, accessible to poultry enthusiasts.

The paper used was mostly of a poor quality, but fortunately mostly with the paper grain running from head to tail of the book. The main flaw in construction was the use of  ungalvanized plain iron staples. At a good ambient storage of 25 degrees C and 50% rh these will usually last for 50 years before causing the paper to degrade. Most copies I have seen have not been archivally stored. As a result the  iron oxide (rust) had damaged the paper, and resulted in sufficient weakness to damage at least the end pages.

It is my advice that replacement of the staples with new stainless staples is a minimum requirement to ensure the books will last another 50+ years.  Most good binders will do that with a minimum disturbance to the book structure. However if the book has other damage, and you want it to still be here  long term, get some advice from a qualified book conservator or a bookbinder who specializes in conservation type work.

Storage in  well designed boxes or in Mylar sleeves will assist in preserving the books.

The Leghorns. [Brown, White, Black, Buff and Duckwing] with white leghorn male head in oval frame

Title Page The Leghorns. [Brown, White, Black, Buff and Duckwing, An illustrated Leghorn Standard, with a treatise on Judging Leghorns, and Complete Instructions on Breeding, Mating, and Exhibiting, Contributed to by America’s most successful and best known Judges, Breeders, and Exhibitors. Published RPJ Quincy Ill.  1904.

Colour Frontis  [Prize Winning Single Comb White Leghorns.] Winners Madison Square Gardens 1901.

74pp  with adverts inside rear wrapper.  Block stapled and wrapper spine glued on.

#6420 

The Leghorns. [Brown, White, Black, Buff and Duckwing] By Americas’s  Leading Authorities.  With white leghorn female posed.

Standard bred Leghorns. [Brown, White, Black, Buff and Silver Duckwing, Their Origin and History and Practical Qualities; The Standard Requirements; How to mate and Breed for best results;  et al. J.H.Drevenstedt. Editor, Published Jointly RPJ and American Poultry Journal  1911.

  Pp 144  B/W engravings and photos,  2col plts  feathers, and white  leghorn.

Pics Cover, Title,   p52 1895 Sewell.

The Wyandottes ,Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Buff. Black, Partridge., Silver Penciled, Columbian.

Standard Bred Wyandottes, Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Buff. Black, Partridge., Silver Penciled, and Columbian. Their Practical qualities  etc. Contributions from the best etc. Published RPJ.  1905

Wrapper illustrated.   Frontis  CP White Wyandotte to date  1898  Sewell, PP81 b/w illust and photos,   adds on rear wrapper, 74pp  with adverts inside rear wrapper.  Block stapled and wrapper spine glued on.

#2534, also  #2929

The Wyandottes , Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Buff. Black, Partridge., Silver Penciled, Columbian. Published APJ (on wrapper) and Rpj dual on the title.

Standard Bred Wyandottes , Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Buff. Black, Partridge., Silver Penciled, and Columbian. Their Practical qualities  etc.  J.H.Drevenstedt Editor.  Published Jointly by APJ and RPH  1910 .  Intro By Grant Curtis 1909

Frontis Silver Laced Wyandottes  by Sewell ND, 160pp  B/W illustration with Advert on rear wrapper. (This copy with APJ wrapper)  2 Col plts  white  and partridge both by Sewell

#1541

The Wyandottes,  Silver Laced, Golden Laced, White, Buff. Black, Partridge., Silver Penciled, Columbian.

Wrapper illustrated.  Published RPJ.  Identical to #2534 but with the wrapper with RPJ banner on front wrapper and RPJ adds on rear wrapper.

The Plymouth Rocks  at least 6 editions  1897, 1899, 1902 presumed to be the third,4, 5^th unsighted  1911 sixth, any later unknown to me.

#1540

The Plymouth Rocks White,  Barred,  Buff .    RPJ

Americas Most Popular Standard Bred Fowl, The Plymouth Rocks, Barred, White, and Buff Their practical qualities etc. Contributed to by the best known and most expert Breeders and Judges in America,  A C Smith, Felch, Hewes ,Hawkins Thompson and others. Published by RPJ   1897, 1899, 1902( this edition) assumed to be third.

1897, 1899 unsighted by me.

Frontis CP Barred Rocks plus 2 cp white and buff. Pp111 plus directory of breeders 2pp, B/w illustrations and photos 2 cp Buff and White

#0569 

The Plymouth Rocks Barred-White-Buff    Silver Penciled  Partridge and Columbian. By leading Authorities of America

Standard Bred Plymouth Rocks,Barred,White,Buff ,Silver Penciled,  Partridge, and Columbian. Their Practical Qualities et al. William C Denney Editor Text and illustrations  based on 1910 edition of American Standard of Perfection. Joint Publication of APJ and RPJ,    1911  Intro states 6^th ed   assume 1897 is 1^st, 1899 2^nd, 1902 3^{rd   see above} , leaving 4^th and 5^{th (1906)}   unsighted by me.   Feedback if you have one with different contents /covers/dates/ please,

Pp144 inc index,  B/w illustrations and photos, Frontis cp Barred Rocks plus 2 cp white and buff. (different plates to  3^rd edition.)

Cover does not have APJ or RPJ  my copy missing rear wrapper so not sure if APJ or RPJ adds in the editions.

#00128 

The Rhode Island Reds, Rose and Single comb. Wrapper shows both heads on the banner.

Standard Bred Rhode Island Reds, Rose and Single Comb. The Practical Qualities et al. D. E. Hale Editor. Contributed to by the best known   et al. Text and illustrations  are based on the requirements of the 1910 standard etc.  Jointly published RPJ and APJ (was there two editions  with different wrappers? Wrapper shows no publisher details or date.)

Pp86  B/W illustrations and photos  Frontis Standard feather colours and markings.

The Orpington   

 J.H.Drevenstedt Editor 1911 . Listed as joint RPJ/APJ but cover has no logo for either

#00124  

The Asiatics, Brahmas, Cochins, Langshans ( Illustrated banner with Brahma head.)  RPJ

The Asiatics, Brahmas, Cochins, Langshans, all varieties. Their Origin et al. Contributed to by Leading breeders, exhibitors and Judges. Published RPJ. No date, No editor. (1905 Add in #6363 Wyandottes.) It appears only one edition

Frontis,  Buff Cochins  copyright 1889 pp96 with b/w illustrations CF  Partridge Cochins.

#2714

Campines   Gold and Silver

The Campines, Silver and Golden. Their History etc. F L Platt Editor

Joint Published by RPJ and APJ. 1914 with Joint Banner on wrapper

87pp plus adds. B/W illustrations and photos, Col Frontis  Silver and Gold Campines.

Appears to be only one edition with joint publication.

Bantam Fowl   T.F.McGrew  First ed 1899  Bound with  triple set in specials.

1^st  ed  1899  pp47 . The cover had been removed and not bound in the volume

#4854

The Bantam Fowl by Thomas F McGrew 

Published by RPJ   (second ed) 1903 The Bantam Fowl  A description of all Standard Breeds and Varieties of Bantams and New Breeds that are Becoming Popular. Origin, Shape, Colour etc. By T. F. McGrew, New York City Fully Illustrated Published by RPJ   

Pp68  plus adds on rear wrappers.  All b/w illustrations. A number of other reproductions have been made.

The works of McGrew are dealt with under the ICS publications on another article on this site.

#00124a, b, c

Turkeys,  All varieties Their Care and Management for Exhibition or for Market.

RPJ

Turkeys  All Varieties Their Care and management  etc.  A collection of the experiences of the Best Known Successful Turkey Breeders, Exhibitors and Judges. 1909 As far as I know only one edition.

Pp96  with b/w illust and photos.  Frontis CP Mamoth Bronze Turkeys to date.

#2512

Ducks and Geese, Their Importance in the Poultry Industry.
(Tan wrappers.) First ed.

Ducks and Geese. A valuable collection of articles on; Breeding, rearing, feeding, housing, and marketing these Profitable Fowls. RPJ 1904

Pp64 black and white illust and photos. Adds on rear wrapper  

#6422 

Ducks and Geese   

Ducks and Geese  3^rd Edition,  A history etc. Revised 1910-1915  Standard Edition

Jointly Published RPJ and APJ. Adds RPJ so suspect alternate wrappers for APJ ed.

Pp104  B/W illust and photos.  2nd ed not sighted by me.  See also Special Editions

#2499

Other Publisher’s inclusion. Wrappers

Origin and History of Breeds of Poultry.

Illustrated in colours, Trustworthy Information etc  American Poultry Journal 1908

64pp b/w illust and photos.  cp 7 full colour. Brown cloth rebind. Same format as rest of the Journals.

I have included here due to the crossover of the joint publications and the usefulness of the information.

Management Books

#2613A

The Chick Book. (Wrapper RPJ) 

The Chick Book From the breeding Pen through the shell to maturity. Contains etc, RPJ.  1905   First?

Pp80 b/w illust and photos.

#2613B  and #2613C

The Chick Book.  (Wrapper APJ)

The Chick Book From the breeding Pen through the shell to maturity. Contains etc.  Jointly APJ and RPJ.  1910

Pp80 b/w illust and photos.  Rear wrapper APJ adds. Maroon Buckram Cloth Case  2613b wrappers.

Profitable Culling and selective Flock Breeding

Homer  Jackson and Grant Curtis

1920  118pp plus adds paper wrappers, unsighted by me 

Courtesy Robert Steen

#4693A    

Use of Artificial Light to increase Winter Egg production Illustrated wrappers.

Compiled by Grant Curtis 1920. PP112 B/w plates and photos. Title indicates 10 Colour Charts from Cornell university missing in this copy.  Wrappers loose.

#4693b 

Use of Artificial Light to increase winter Egg production. Pp11 plus 1 p index. Another copy missing wrappers and colour charts . Green Buckram Cloth cased.

# 909A

Poultry Houses and Fixtures  (Wrappers) 

Seventh edition 1913 Pp96 B/w illustrations  adds on back wrapper RPJ

# 909 B

Poultry Houses and Fixtures

Same wrappers as 909a Eighth  edition 1919 Pp112 B/w illustrations  adds last page

Other eds not sighted by me.

See also Special  Editions

Fundamentals in Poultry Breeding  (Illustrated wrappers)  

 A Complete Guide to the Successful Breeding of American Standard Fowls, Turkeys, Ducks, and Geese. By John Robinson. Illustrated By Franklane Sewell Author Schilling Contributor. RPJ 1921. This copy missing rear wrapper and some repairs

Pp144 plus 2p contents. B/W illust and photos  CP frontis rir.

Robinson is always worth reading, though some of the standards and shapes have changed. Rare.

Maroon Buckram Cloth Case

#2255b

 second copy  missing rear cover and 2 pages.

# 2256   

Poultry for Exhibition,  Growing, Conditioning, Training, Showing Judging.

Illustrated Wrappers  rear wrapper missing

Standard Poultry for Exhibition. A complete Manual of Methods etc By John H Robinson

Illustrations by Franklane Sewell and A. O. Schilling RPJ 1921. I can find only one edition

Pp175 plus pp1 index. B/W photos and illust numerous, CP Frontis Madison Sq Gardens.

Maroon  Buckram Cloth case,

#2611

Artificial Incubation and Brooding  

Artificial Incubation and Brooding 3^rd edition. The successful Hatching and Rearing of Poultry by Modern  Artificial Methods.  RPJ 1906

Pp96  B/W pics and illust.  Rear wrapper missing.  Maroon Buckram Cloth case.

#2256 

Successful Poultry Keeping    RPJ

Successful Poultry Keeping  A text book for the beginner and for all etc. RPJ 1907

Pp174  B/W illust and Photos  rear wrapper missing. Maroon   Buckram Case .

 Later eds Success with Poultry.

#3548 

Success With Poultry   RPJ

Success With Poultry. Seventh edition. A book on successful and etc . Author listed on wrappers  Ed by J.W. Myers RPj 1914

Pp 112  B/W illust and photos  and inside of rear wrapper illustrated.

Other eds not sighted by me.

#2514 

Eggs and Egg Farms.  RPJ

Eggs and Egg Farms. Third ed  1907  RPJ.

Pp 96. B/W illust and photos.

Other eds not sighted by me.

#2254

How to feed Poultry  For any Purpose with Profit.  RPJ

How to feed Poultry For any purpose with profit. A complete and authoritative  etc. By John H Robinson. RPJ 1920

Pp112 B/W Illust and photos.  Rear wrapper missing. Green Buckram Cased.

#6423

Reliable Poultry Journal Books Three titles bound together

Success With Poultry 1896 3^rd edition Grant Curtis pp96 (see above)

Artificial Incubating and Brooding 1898  1st ed Grant Curtis pp146 (see above)

Bantam Fowl  1899 T.F.Mcgrew  1^st  ed  1899  pp47  (see above)

Bound in the one volume half cloth with marbled sides

#5737  

Electrotypes for Poultry   

Hanmer, 1913 pp50. Half leather with marbled sides. A delightful collection of all the print blocks available  via RPJ  for use in newsletters etc. One page of the printing blocks.

#2933

High Egg Production by Individual Hens Pens and Flocks

Jackson, Homer J.E.  1922  pp175  unsighted  listed in R,  K.

 #5899

Reliable Poultry Manual  

PP179,   Plowman and co, 1894 Moline Illinois. Unsighted by me reference ?  

#3064

Reliable Pheasant Standard

Listed 1906 No author just RPJ   Likely a furphy, perhaps   by  Sudow, F.J.   Published in New York  R H Moor 1910 Unsighted.

#6299

Books and Illustrations for Poultrymen

Curtis Ed pp32  1920 ( possible an edition in 1907 listed in PA no sighted by me)

Uncertain of the cover and binding.

# 1247

Reliable Poultry Remedies

The causes symptoms, and treatment of Poultry Diseases. RPJ 1913  210 x 150mm  pp96 Wrappers.

Very damaged copy, numerous editions, a range of authors on various topics.

At least 2 editions   Editors Sanbourne, Dr N. W   1905 (#1231) and Woods, Prince T.   1906  (#2955)  details unverified as no date. Woods copy shown here.

#4866 

Profitable Culling and Selective Flock Breeding

Complied by Homer W. Jackson and Grant M Curtis

230 x 160mm pp320  3ed ed 1923 RPJ revised. B/W illust and photos

Illustrated Wrappers.  Budget edition see also  Special Editions

#3630A

Quality Eggs for Hatchery Use

Compiled by the editorial team of RPJ

\230 x 150mm64pp  1930 B/W illustrations  Illustrated  wrappers

Special Editions.

# 3435

Profitable Culling and Selective Flock Breeding

Complied by Homer W. Jackson and Grant M Curtis 230 x 160mm pp320  3ed ed 1923 RPJ revised. B/W illust and photos

Hardback  Maroon Cloth with Gold title. ( see #4866)

#6290 

Poultry Houses and Fixtures

Edited by Homer W. Jackson

Nineth edition  1926

230 x 160mm pp 320 B/W illust and photos

Hardback Maroon Cloth Gold title See also #909 for earlier eds. ( see #6299 for the right colour of the cloth)

#4735 

Production 0f 300 eggers by Line Breeding

By M.E. Atkinson and Grant M. Curtis

First edition 1923

230 x 160mm pp415  B/W illust and photos

Hardback Maroon Cloth Gold title. No other eds. 

I often hear people denigrate this work, however careful attention to the method, and thoughtful application will show the principles apply to any characteristic or group of characteristics desired by exhibition breeders. The main idea is that we must put the birds to the test. However the only tests applied well, are the cockpit, the laying tests, the meat standards, and the exhibition show ring. Application of the standards via a test program is almost never attempted.

 #4735B  Also released in illustrated wrappers all other details the same. New discovery in  July 2022 

#1117 

Popular Breeds of Domestic Poultry, American and Foreign

Robinson John H  1924  352 pp 1 CP frontis.

An under rated title by an esteemed author, that should be in everyone’s collection.

#1488

Growing Ducks and Geese for pleasure and profit

Robinson, John. H.  Pp447  B/W  illustrations  240 x 140mm maroon cloth with gold titles on case. Another overlooked work. Perhaps the best history I have read of the origins of Domestic waterfowl.

# 6459

The Missing Book   Have you seen one?

Poultry Industry In Australia and New Zealand by  Kappler , Mr Vic  Reliable Poultry Journal 1924.

unsighted only ever seen listed as a proof, read by John Robinson in  the above book. Did it ever actually get published ?  Does anyone have a copy and details to correct the record?

#2015

Our Domestic Birds

 Robinson, John H.  1924, 200x130mm cloth cased. 317pp also Ginn  and  Co. This title is often missed in collections as the title assumes a modern meaning. In 1924 Domestic Birds mainly meant birds kept at home, domesticated and useful for more than just enjoyment. The first chapter gives and outline of cage birds, and a later chapter on canaries defines the range of the non-poultry, all the rest are poultry and game species.

#2247

First Lessons In Poultry Keeping

Robinson, John.H.   Farm Poultry Pub 1905  230 x 140mm pp168 illust wrappers.

#872 and#2073

Principles and Practice of Poultry Culture

Robinson, John . Ginn and Co, 611pp 1912 First Ed, Content identical, lots of B/w pics, only difference is the cover with the binding with the #2073 (middle) being a better quality  buckram cloth.

#4262

2nd ed (above) Reliable Poultry Journal Hardcover 584pp. 1925.

 An excellent all round work with a good section on pure breeds

#2164

Poultry Craft 

A text-book for Poultry Keepers.

Robinson, John.H.  Farm Poultry Pub 1904  210 x 140mm  271pp Illustrated cloth case.

#4696A    

Open Air Poultry Houses

Woods, Prince R. 1912 86pp Hard cover.

An interesting discussion of open sided sheds in distinction to the popular closed up houses of the cold northern states of the USA. However I see so many poultry houses ignoring basic design rules today, and many back. Chinese made mini houses, and the problems associated with sleeping in closed houses with the bird manure up close,, that I think  reading this  might change the  way  people go about the choice of houses. Or Not!!

#4812  This book was republished  under the title Modern Fresh Air Poultry Houses, 191pp 1924 by Item Publishing. It has  with a number of extensions and additions . A nice hard cover  and a larger format. Purple cloth.

#1093

How to Raise Chicks

Woods, Prince T   1912 123pp American Poultry Journal

Includes an update of his early work  #3782 listed below.

#2957

Poultryman’s Formulary

Woods, Prince R. 1908  R list  as Middleton Pub Mass unsighted

#2956

Requisites for poultry Health

Woods, Prince R.  1906 unsighted

#3782

Facts about White Diarrhoea

Woods, Prince T,  1908 pp48 Self Published  Middleton Mass

Am I missing somethething? Have you a piece of the puzzle. I will add to this work and attribute you as my source. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Jim Finger.