GEORGE AYER LEAVITT (1822-1888)

George A. Leavitt was a well-known bookseller, publisher, auctioneer, and principal of one of New York City's top auction houses well known for selling rare books, art, antiques, autographs, coin, and stamp collections.

George Ayer Leavitt (1822-1888), was born on May 13, 1822, at Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts, son of Jonathan Leavitt (1797-1852), a bookbinder, and Joan Ayer Leavitt (1795-). About 1825, the family left Massachusetts moving to New York City where Jonathan Leavitt entered into a partnership with his brother-in-law Daniel Appleton opening a publishing and bookselling business. That firm dissolved when Jonathan Leavitt opened a new firm with John F. Trow, called Leavitt & Trow.

George Leavitt studied and graduated from the nation's oldest incorporated private school, Phillips Academy, founded 1778, Andover, Massachusetts.

In 1842, he worked as a book dealer for Robinson & Franklin.

After his father's death in 1851, he continued the family firm.

In January 1852 he was a partner with John K. Allen in Leavitt & Allen, publishers and booksellers holding auctions and began his first annual New York Trade Sales, 379 Broadway, corner of White Street

His father-in-law, James Ewing Cooley (1802-1882), a famous New York book dealer and publisher since 1833 had given Lemuel Bangs (1808-1887) his start, now suggested to his son-in-law, George A. Leavitt, that he join his business publishing and begin holding book auction Trade Sales. From this period on Leavitt became a widely known auctioneer.

He joined the Army during the Civil War. The commercial paper held by southern businesses was now worthless and the book business became solvent.

From 1867-1871, he opened Clinton Hall Book Sale Rooms, Astor Place & 8th Street, New York.

In 1870, on the retirement of John K. Allen, the firm of Leavitt & Allen Bros. became World Publishing Company. This firm dissolved in 1878.

From 1871-1884, he once again renamed the firm George A. Leavitt & Company, Clinton Hall Book Sale Rooms, Astor Place & 8th Street, New York.

He died on December 18, 1888.

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