Background
Allan grew up to respect and love books
Allan grew up to respect and love books
Soon afterwards, he opened his own shop selling papers and books In 1862, he published his first book, Tyneside Songs. The first edition was very small and covered mainly songs of Edward "Ned" Corvan and George "Geordie" Ridley.
Over the years he developed the book, adding to it, until eventually it became an extremely large volume with almost 600 pages (590?).
The title was changed to Allan"s Tyneside Songs, and the contents increased to cover not just the songs but details and histories of them, their writers and singers. As it developed, the theme changed from one of solely popular songs to encompass many older traditional songs, aiming to spread the popularity of the book to a wider audience.
lieutenant is now an invaluable source of historical reference providing wealth of information. The second edition followed in the following year of 1863.
1864 saw the third edition now entitled A Choice Collection of Tyneside Songs by East. Corvan, G. Ridley, Justice of the Peace Robson, R. Emery.. et cetera
In 1872, a further edition was published. The edition of 1873 was called A Choice Collection of Tyneside Songs by Wilson, Corvan, Mitford, Gilcrhrist, Robson, Harrison, Emery, Ridley, Oliver, Shield, &c. &c., &c., with lives of the authors illustrated with views of the town and portraits of the poets and eccentrics of Newcastle.
lieutenant was published by Allan, 62 Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne: & 16 Collingwood Street, North Shields.
("Ralph Allan, Tyne Street, Newcastle upon Tyne" was also mentioned on the cover, possibly as a seller)
The final edition was published in 1891 and was now called Allan"s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside Songs and Readings with lives, portraits and autographs of the writers and notes on the songs. Revised edition The publisher was Thomas and George Allan, 18 Blackett Street and 34 Collingwood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, and the cover stated that it was "Sold by West Allan, 80 Grainger Street & B Allan, North Shields: & West Scott of London".