Tom Brown's School Days is part of this firm's large publisher's reprint series that was printed in the late 1880's. Orange, red and green cover colors have been seen as of this time. It is unknown whether Oxford is also part of this series.

Although Maxwell published a number of books in the 1880's, it was mainly known as a bookseller, stationer, wall paper purveyor, fancy goods seller and druggist. In 1891 its book department was sold to A. C. McClurg also of Chicago.