| Category: | Boy's magazine |
| Frequency: | Monthly |
| Finaldate: | August 1941 |
| Company: | Sprague Publishing Co. |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
The American Boy was a monthly magazine published by The Sprague Publishing Co. of Detroit, Michigan from November 1899 to August 1941.[1] At the time it was the largest magazine for boys, with a circulation of 300,000,[2] and it featured action stories and advertising for the young boy.
In 1911 a copy cost $0.10, and a year's subscription was $1.00. Format was 16" high by 12" wide. Founded by William C. Sprague of the Detroit-based Sprague Publishing Company in 1900, Griffith Ogden Ellis took over as president and editor in 1908.[3] J. Cotner Jr. was secretary and treasurer; H. D. Montgomerie was managing editor and Clarence Budington Kelland was assistant editor. In 1929, Ellis merged the magazine with its rival, Youth's Companion,[2] and in 1939 he sold his interest to his business manager, Elmer Presley Grierson.[4] Franklin M. Reck was managing editor from 1936 to 1941. George F. Pierrot (1898–1980), former managing editor and well-known traveler, became half-owner and co-publisher on November 1, 1940.[5]