Dana Estes and Charles Emelius Lauriat, who had both been involved in bookselling in Boston, formed a partnership in 1872 for the purpose of bookselling, publishing, and importing books. The company became known for the quality of the paper, printing and illustrations of its publications, which included subscription histories, children's books, art and travel books, and deluxe editions of well-known novelists. In 1879 Estes and Lauriat obtained rights to republish the immensely popular English children's annual Chatterbox.
When the partnership dissolved in 1898, Lauriat continued as a bookseller as Charles E. Lauriat Company, and Estes continued publishing as Dana Estes and Company. After the death of Dana Estes in 1909 the firm was continued by his sons until 1914, when it was purchased by L. C. Page and Company.
