DAVE PORTER AT OAK HALL by Edward Stratemeyer Illustrations by Harold M. Brett Lothrop, Lee Shepard Co., 1905? Special Edition Condition: Very Good+ This book began a 15-volume series on the adventures of Dave Porter. When this title was written, Stratemeyer had not yet begun his famous Syndicate, which resulted in many hundreds of children's series books. Among Stratemeyer's creations were the Rover Boys, the Bobbsey Twins, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. This book is marked on the spine as the Special Edition; it seems to qualify as the First Printing: The copyright page says "Published August 1905" and no later printing is indicated; no other titles in the series are mentioned and there is a Preface by the author saying further titles are "to be issued"; and the book has the original cover illustration (this had been changed by the 4th printing). But the true First has color illustrations and here they're in black and white. This copy has only minor wear to the cover tips and spine ends; the binding is secure; the pages are clean and unmarked and show little darkening.