Although Format 2 of this series was only published between 1898 and 1902 many of the titles had a number of different variant covers.

Generally the books can be dated by reviewing the ads in the back of the book, the endpapers and the color of the lettering.

Today I am adding a new cover picture for book #48 Mary Queen of Scots by Jacob Abbott. This book was first published by Henry Altemus Company in 1900.

The two earliest books have the gold gilt lettering on the front cover and green end papers. They both have back ads “c”. See: http://henryaltemus.com/series/series202F2.htm

The only things that distinguish the two books are the location of the author’s name on the front cover and the spine lettering. One book has gold spine lettering while the other has silver lettering.

Since the later Queen of Scots in this format have silver spine lettering, it is presumed the the earlier 1900 book has the gold spine lettering while the later 1900 book has the silver spine lettering. Also the later “Mary’s” in this format have the author’s name in the same place on the cover as the silver spine book. The later book has red lettering on the cover.