Foxy Grandpa made its first appearance on January 7, 1900. The strip initially ran in the New York Herald, but it moved to the New York American on February 16, 1902. Selchow and Righter licensed Foxy Grandpa for the Foxy Grandpa Hat Party Game (similar to Pin the Tail on the Donkey) after 1900. Between 1901 and 1917, Foxy Grandpa was published in books, more than 30 volumes from four different publishers. The strip was also adapted to Broadway shows and early silent films (with Foxy Grandpa played by stage performer Joseph Hart). In 1912, the strip was briefly distributed by the C.J. Mar Syndicate, but it was dropped in 1918.