Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

country libraries—and it should receive some of the privileges granted to dealers in books. Further, in buying 5c0 copies of a book instead of one, it is a wholesale buyer, and is entitled to such advantage of price as the laws of trade accord to a wholesale buyer of any goods. The Government Commissary, who buys his flour by the 1,000 barrels, buys at a lower rate than is accorded to the individual getting his single barrel for family consumption-and rightly. It is in accordance with the fundamental principles of the laws of trade that can no more be altered by recommendations or resolutions than the price of flour can be fixed by act of Congress.

A library is also an association, and is entitled to the economic advantages of co-operation, just as the members of a club are entitled to receive advantage in buying supplies for several hundred consumers through one steward.

We must not forget that while books differ from other goods in having advertised prices, they are nevertheless merchandise, and are subject to the same laws that govern the buying and selling of

other merchandise.

This is not the place to discuss the rights of libraries to exist, or their service not only to the reading public, but to the writers and sellers of books.

In

There is no question, however, but that the effective force and usefulness of all libraries would be seriously impaired, and the existence even of some of the weaker country town associations be imperilled, if it were attempted to take away all the advantage they at present possess over the individual buyer. And we think the experience of any thoughtful bookseller who has watched in a town the growth of the intellectual tastes and cultivation on which his business is so largely dependent, will convince him that an intelligently conducted town library assists very much in the development of these, and educates and increases the circle of his own customers. We believe he will find also that if his own enterprise and intelligence are equal to the requirements of the managers of the town-library, the business of purchasing sup plies for the same will naturally fall into his hands instead of being diverted to the large cities. a large proportion of the cases where librarians will only send their orders to the large cities it is, I believe, as much for the sake of better facilities offered by the city dealer in the way of complete files of catalogues, useful literary information and suggestions, and prompt estimates of cost, as for any trifling advantage in prices. I admit, however, that there should be no such advantage, and that in the rearrangement of discounts the country bookseller should be so protected that he could offer the local library as good terms as could be obtained in the cities. The library must, however, as a matter of principle, policy, and practical necessity, be permitted to buy on better terms than the individual; and if the proposed general reduction of discounts (based on a reduction of catalogue prices), the necessity for which is very evident, is carried out, I would suggest a scale something like the following: To the jobber 33 1-3 per cent., to the retailer 25 per cent, to the library 15 per cent. This rate would give the retailer a commission on a library order of ten per cent., which would pay him as well for the trouble and investment as the 25 per cent. on the single book sold from his counter, which he has had the risk of purchasing and keeping. I regret to have trespassed upon so much of your space. I trust however I have succeeded

in showing the importance of the limitation suggested to the recommendation of the Union, and I feel assured that without some such limitation the recommendation can never be generally accepted or carried out. If the attempt were made by a portion of the trade to put into force in their own business measures not generally accepted, the result would be not to reform a system, but simply to throw into the hands of those of the trade who declined to make the attempt, a larger share of the book business of the country than properly belonged to them..

With much respect, yours very truly,

* *, BOOKSEller and LIBRARY AGENT.

Another Appeal to Publishers.

Steubenville, O., March 13, 1874.

To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly.

DEAR SIR: It is with much interest that we have read in your columns the many interesting articles contributed by all branches of the American Book Trade. No one, it seems to us, has taken a more sensible view of the necessity of early information, in order that the retailer may be enabled to do business in an intelligent manner, than your Omaha correspondent, in your issue of the 7th inst.

We take all the leading trade papers and read them with much care, and yet we are often caught up on new books and other trade news about information. It seems to us that it would be a which we ought to be able to give all necessary good thing for all parties concerned if the publishers and the trade generally would contribute all trade notices, announcements of new books, etc., etc., to some leading trade journal; and as no other journal has done so much good for the whole trade as THE PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY, we would be glad to see its columns made the medium for all kinds of trade news. As it now is, we are compelled to peruse many magazines and newspapers for book notices. If publishers would see the importance of keeping us thoroughly inhand, and would concentrate on some one trade formed of their doings and of new projects on journal to whose columns we could turn for all desired information, we think it would have a tendency to promote general intelligence among the retailers, and would also be a very efficient means of securing advance orders for their new books. We are glad to note the good feeling that prevails among all members of the trade, and hope soon to see the many irregularities now existing entirely abolished. We remain yours very truly,

CRUMRINE & NICHOL.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

comes before us of this nature, so perfectly free LITERARY AND TRADE NEWS. from everything which seems likely to appeal to a merely prurient taste. Dr. Gardner writes plainly WE have from Robert Clarke & Co. a copy of on a very delicate subject, but with an earnestness "The Young Booksellers' and Stationers' Society," which shows his singleness of purpose in giving of Cincinnati, organized Jan. 20, 1874. The his work to the public. The fact that he is a second article declares that "The objects of physician of over twenty-five years' standing, and the Society shall be the moral and intellectual imthat his views have been endorsed by the leading provement of its members by means of lectures, clergymen of the country, should lend weight to his essays, and discussions on trade, literary, and gen words. He attacks a growing evil of the day, eral subjects, and the fostering of social interone so wide-spread in this country that all its course among the members." The present offifuture deteriorating effects upon us as a nation cers are: Honorary President, Robert Clarke; can scarcely be estimated. 12mo, cloth, $1.50. Honorary Vice-Presidents, R. D. Barney, John HEAVEN IN SONG, by Henry C. Fish. (Shel- W. Dale, Howard Barney; President, Alexander don & Co.) This is a new and attractive edition Hill; Vice-President, W. H. Anderson; Secretary of a work which had a large sale during the holi- and Treasurer, John Dickison. We trust that days, in quarto form. Almost every poet of merit, this excellent idea may be taken up in other large in any age, who has made "heaven" his theme, places. is represented here. 12mo, cloth, $2.50.

ON MISSIONS, by F. Max Müller. (Scribner, Armstrong & Co.) That Max Müller, a layman,

should have been allowed to lecture in old West

A WORK for teaching practical geometry on a somewhat novel plan is soon to be published by It is entitled "Mechanic's Geometry," and is by Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger, Philadelphia. minster Abbey, has set the whole religious world Robert Riddell, the author of a well-known work agog. This lecture, however, is a remarkable one, on hand-railing, "The Carpenter and Builder," full of zeal and the most liberal Christianity. etc. The present work has been specially preIn order that "missions" should succeed, he thinkspared for the use of learners, or for mechanics who they should be freed from all sectarian preaching, or, in his own words, "we want less of creeds, but more of trust; less of ceremony, but more of work; less of solemnity, but more of genial honesty; less of doctrine, but more of love." There is also an introductory sermon on the same subject, by the Dean of Westminster, Arthur Penrhyn Stanley. 12mo, cloth, $1.00.

THE LAST DAYS OF Pompeii, and RienZI, by Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton. (J. B. Lippincott & Co.) The last volumes of the Lord Lytton Edition." This edition of Bulwer's complete works is one of the finest offered to the trade for the price. It is handsomely printed on fine white paper, and neatly bound. 12mo, cloth, $1.50.

PRESBYTERIAN COOK BOOK, compiled by the ladies of the First Presbyterian Church of Dayton, Ohio. (Oliver Crook & Co.) We cannot speak from experience of the merits of these recipes; but we should judge, from a careful perusal of many of them, that the various directions given for the preparation of well-known household dishes, could only have the most satisfactory results. Most of the recipes come directly from ladies who have gained a reputation in Dayton for the concocting of some particular dish. The lady's name accompanies the recipe in most cases, thus endorsing its excellence. 12mo, cloth, $1; interleaved, $1.50.

THE AMERICAN ROWING ALMANAC AND OARSMAN'S POCKET COMPANION FOR 1874, by Fred. J. Engelhardt. (Fred. J. Engelhardt.) The author of this little work is well known as the boating editor of " Turf, Field and Farm." His opportunities, we should judge, have been ample for witnessing every race of importance or otherwise which has taken place for some years back; of these he has made a complete record, full of interesting details to the boating fraternity. This book contains besides a good deal of information about various other things connected with this favorite pastime. 24mo, cloth, $1.00.

MRS. LOUISE CHANDLER MOULTON, of the Tribune, is to publish a second volume of stories, through Roberts Bros., some time in May. "Some Women's Hearts" is, however, as may be gathered from the title, for grown-up readers.

The

desire to improve themselves in their craft. directions show how the designs may be drawn, by geometric rules, for the various angles and curves needed by the workman. An illustration of these is given on the opposite page, printed on thick cardboard, with muslin back. The designs are cut out and lift up from the page, so that they serve both as a projection and a plan. As a plan, they show first how, by geometric rules, the figures are drawn, and then, the page taking the part of the material, how each part is to be cut out. On lifting the parts up from the page, and fitting them together, the object itself is formed, every angle and curve being mathematically correct. The plan is a most excellent one, and will be very useful in teaching the practical application of geometry. The same publishers have also in the press, "Handbook of the Locomotive," giving full information concerning the construction of engines and boilers, their management and running, by Stephen Roper; and "Billeta Linden; or, The Artist's Bride," the second volume of the new uniform edition of Emerson Bennett's works.

We have to record another addition to the ever

[ocr errors]

increasing Wesley literature. The Rev. J. H. Rigg, D.D., of England, author of "Modern Anglican Theology,' Essays for the Times," etc., has prepared a work entitled "The Living Wesley," in which he gives a summary of all the later Wesley literature, and then proceeds to preperiods of his life. The author does not enter insent a portrait of John Wesley in the prominent

to the minute events of the career of his subject, but gives the results, rather than the process, of dent of Drew Theological Seminary, is to supply his investigations. The Rev. Dr. Hurst, Presian Introduction to the work, and Messrs Nelson & Phillips, of this city, will issue it in May.

[ocr errors]

PORTER & COATES will shortly issue a new juvenile by Harry Castlemon, whose "Gunboat and "Rocky Mountain" series have become so popular with boys, to be entitled "The Sportsman's Club Afloat." They will also add to their list a new edition of Milman's Gibbon's Rome, with steel plates.

JANSEN, MCCLURG & Co. will issue in April a volume of sermons, by Prof. David Swing, of Chicago. As the Professor has been arraigned

by a prominent D.D. of the Presbyterian church, | Wing & Co. It is printed on paper weighing one upon the charge of heresy, and as the sentiment hundred pounds to the ream, and is profusely ilof the great majority of the people and the press lustrated. The printing was done by Culver, almost universally seems in his favor, an unusual Page, Hoyne & Co., and the binding by A. J. Cox interest is likely to attach to the publication of & Co.-Rowell's Newspaper Reporter.

the sermons.

THE readers of the "Children's Chapter," in "The Women of the East," will be glad to know that a juvenile on "The Children of the East" is promised by Rev. Dr. Jessup, through Dodd & Mead.

A VERY timely and much-needed work is promised by the Professor of Political Economy at Yale, W. G. Sumner, who, says the Mail, though not a very old man, has already made a reputation among specialists. His "History of American Currency," when it is published by Henry Holt & Co., should be distributed freely by some philanthropic society about the national Capitol, and may do some good. It is compiled from original material, will be the only available study of the crisis of 1837, and will contain the famous "bullion report the long Bank of England suspension, now only to be found in Hansard's reports.

[ocr errors]

on

REV. E. P. ROE's capital little book, "Play and Profit in My Garden," formerly in Dodd & Mead's list, will be published hereafter by the Orange Judd Company.

A LIST of the new Ministry, Convocation, Houses of Lords and Commons, etc., will be is sued as a supplement to that exceedingly useful compilation," Whittaker's Almanac," on the assembling of Parliament.

THE trade will please take notice that Eldredge & Brother, of Philadelphia, have purchased the plates, copyright, etc., of Hart's "Grammar. Part 1st," "English Grammar," 99.66 Constitution of the United States," "Class Book of Poetry," and "Class Book of Prose."

RANDOLPH'S pleasant little books, of quiet, devotional tone, are welcome visitors in many

houses Two of this sort are to be added to the list by-and-by: "The Winter Fire," a sequel to "Summer Driftwood," and "The Fourth Watch," by the author of "The Melody of the Twentythird Psalm."

[ocr errors]

INTERNATIONAL literary amenities are pleasant to hear of It is gratifying to learn, says the Athenæum, "that Messrs. Henry Holt & Co., ot New York, have sent that admirable Russian novelist, M. Ivan Tourgueneff, a letter, enclosing a thousand francs, in token of their appreciation of his writings, of which they are publishing a series of English translations. M. Tourgueneff, it seems, not to be outdone in generosity, proposes to present Mr. Holt with an English version of a story which is to appear, in its original Russian, in the Album,' contributed by Russian literary men to the fund for the benefit of the faminestricken peasants of the Province of Samara."

THE Naturalist's Agency, Salem, and Estes & Lauriat, Boston, are about to publish a useful volume by Dr. Elliott Coues," Field Ornithology," being a manual of instruction for procuring, preparing, and preserving birds, with a "check list" of North American birds. Full and concise directions are given for the field work of collecting birds, and for the preservation and registration of specimens, and to the amateur naturalist the book will be invaluable.

ONE of the handsomest specimens of bookmaking issued in Chicago is "The Tunnels and Water System of Chicago," published by J. M.

Fur, Fin, and, Feather, a new monthly, specially devoted to field sports, is edited by Charles Suydam and published by Joseph E. Lynn, 61 Warren street, N. Y., at $6 per annum.

Magazin für den deutschen Buchhandel is a new critical monthly trade organ for' the bookselling and publishing trades issued by Aug. Schurmann, Leipsic.

[ocr errors]

SCRIBNER, ARMSTRONG & Co. have several important volumes in press, not hitherto announced: a new book by Rev. Horace Bushnell, D.D., on "Forgiveness and Law," which is, as it were, a complement to his well-known book on "Vicarious Sacrifice; "The Superhuman Origin of the Bible," as inferred from itself, by Henry Rogers, an English writer; and an important work by Hon. Geo. P. Marsh, of which the basis will be his famous "Man in Nature." The work will bring up the topics of the earlier book to the present state of knowledge, and will form a volume of 600 pages.

[ocr errors]

BESIDES their handsome library edition os Taine's Pyrenees, just ready, the following book: comprise the spring plans of Henry Holt & Co., 'Desperate emedies," by Thomas Hardy, in whose "Far from the Madding Crowd," now appearing in Every Saturday and the Cornhill, the London Spectator thought it had detected an anonymous novel of Geo. Eliot, which will appear with revisions made by the author expressly for his American publishers; Conway's "Sacred Anthology,' a collection of Ethnical Scriptures from all lands whose sacred books are of interest; Colonel Chesney's "Military Biographies," which are largely composed of papers on the heroes of the late war, and have been received with warm praise abroad; Auerbach's new novel, "Waldfried," translated by Mr. Simon A. Stern; a condensation of Chorley's "Autobiography," which will make the good things in that prolix book easy to get at; a "History of the Cretan Rebellion," by Mr. W. J. Stillman, who was United States Consul in Crete during that struggle; the "Literary Remains of British Museum, whose premature death was Emanuel Deutsch," the great Orientalist of the mourned by the whole learned world. Besides the celebrated essay on the Talmud, this will conern), the Ecumenical Council, the Targums, and tain essays on Islam, Egypt (Ancient and Moda variety of other topics. Turgenieff's latest works, "Spring Floods," and "A King Lear of the Steppe," will be included in one volume. Richardson's "Clarissa Harlowe " has been condensed into the size of a modern novel with the intention of retaining all its distinctive features. Another needed piece of condensation will be Boswell's "Life of Johnson." The rewriting of the book having filed in England, Messrs. Holt & Co. have decided to condense it without any alterations other than omissions of passages that hurried modern readers would consider superfluous. The "Posthumous Essays of Mr. Mill," to be published by the same house, will be kept back till fall.

"DAVY CROCKETT" will be the next "Pioneer and Patriot" immortalized by Rev. j. S. C. Abbott, by the help of Dodd & Mead.

[blocks in formation]

Stationery and Fancy Goods.

THE trade in stationery and fancy goods has never been so dull within the memory of the oldest inhabitant as at present. There is absolutely nothing doing, and this fact is accepted so generally that the question becomes, When will something be done? This time of year, however, is not usually favorable for trade, but there have been but few years when there was not more business done than there is now. None of the large buyers are in town, and there is no anticipation of their coming. Many of the New York houses who sent out their travellers a few weeks ago have ordered them home, the sales made by them not warranting the expense of their continuance. Those who have returned report trade throughout the country to be very dull, and with no prospect of an improvement before April.

In the line of stationery there are no new goods, and any trade there is is done in standard and fancy papers. The rep papers have sold well, and at no time since their introduction has the supply been equal to the demand. Standard writing papers and school stationery have been in good demand, but as the season of vacations approaches the sales fall off.

In fancy goods some samples have been received, but no striking novelties are as yet shown. The samples are mostly new styles of old goods, that have been upon the market before. Fans and travellers' articles are the only goods sold, and the demand for these even is limited.

Among the few noticeable goods upon the market is Emack's Pencil-Holding Slate, which, though but recently introduced, has met with a large sale These slates are of different sizes, from 5x7 to 8x12, and are provided with a cavity in the frame to contain the slate pencil. A neat brass slide covers the aperture, and prevents the pencil falling out. This slate will be found a great convenience to school children, as it saves the pencil and prevents the damage done to clothing by carrying it in the pocket. The slates cost from $1.88 to $3 63 per dozen.

[ocr errors]

Snail, etc. They are all handsomely labelled, and will make a good show on the counter.

The Camera and the Printing-Press-The Rockwood Photo-Engraving Process.

WE present with this number of the WEEKLY two illustrations by the Rockwood Photo-Engraving Process: one a portrait from life, the other a copy of a steel engraving. Their extraordinary excellence will impress the publishing fraternity with the fact that at last a thoroughly practical process has been developed.

From the earliest period in the history of photography attempts have been made to produce, by the action of light, surfaces upon metal, stone, and other substances, from which pictures could be printed with printer's ink-thus securing permanency, with the fidelity of the photograph. Some ten or twelve years ago, progress was made in France in what was called "heliographic engraving," in which metal printing-plates were obtained by the action of light; and more recently, in this country, some attention was bestowed upon the maturing of a process of this character, with varying success.

Mr. Rockwood is an experienced photographer, and has devoted a long time to the development and perfection of his process. Originally invented in Denmark, the process has steadily advanced, till now it is of the simplest and most reliable nature.

Under ordinary photographic negatives, prepared plates of glass, zinc, and stone are exposed to the action of light, and from these plates thousands of pictures are printed, with all the facility of the ordinary lithograph,upon a press with ink. The effect of the light upon the sensitized plate is to transform it into a veritable lithographic plate-the parts exposed to the action of light having an affinity for fatty or printer's ink, and the portion protected from light rejecting the ink and absorbing water. So, first, a wet roller is passed over a plate ready for the press, followed by an ink-roller, and the paper then placed on the press, and run through the rollers at the rate of about sixty or seventy an hour.

Th. specimens we have seen of this new process are of very great variety-portraits, landscapes, and copies of mechanical drawings, music, and ordinary letter-press. The portraits and landscapes are equal in appearance to the best The same firm, John D. Emack, William street, specimens of photography obtained by the ordihas also the Eureka Noiseless Slate, which, being nary printing process; and the copies of mechan. provided with hard rubber corners, can be moved ical and other drawings are far superior, in clearabout on a desk, or even dropped, without makingness, fineness, and sharpness, to any we have seen a noise or breaking. Every teacher knows the advantage of such an 'arrangement, as it will add greatly to the silence and order of the schoolroom. These slates are of different sizes and cost from $6.00 to $9.00 per dozen.

Victor E. Mauger, of Goodall card fame, has lately accepted the agency for this country of the A. B. (Boissac) French Inks. These inks have gained for themselves a large sale and great reputation throughout France, and will doubtless become popular in this country. They consist of a violet ink, for both writing and copying purposes, also a violet adapted especially for copying, a double black and extra double black for copying, put up in Litres, half, quarter, and eighth Litres. The eighths come in a variety of fancy shapes, among which are several entirely new in this market, as La Bottine, the Boot, L'Escargos, the

produced by the ordinary "photo-lithographic " process. The copies of letter-press are some of them so fine that they cannot be read without a powerful magnifying glass, yet perfectly clear and sharp.

There seems to be scarcely any limit to the application of this new art, which combines all the fidelity, delicacy, and vigor of photography with the absolute permanence of printer's ink; besides which, pictures can be multiplied by it at so reasonable a cost that it may be used for most of the ordinary illustrations now made by the various styles of engraving heretofore in use.

Parties interested in the process can address Geo. G. Rockwood, 839 Broadway, New York. The process is offered for sale in all of the cities of the country outside of New York city at reasonable figures.

[ocr errors]
[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« AnteriorContinuar »