HELEN MCGLADE of the Atlantic Monthly Bookshop announces A. Edward Newton as the speaker for her opening lecture at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel next fall. Mr. Newton will appear in October, Walter Prichard Eaton in November, and S. S. Van Dine (everyone will be sure to know his right name by that time) in December. Miss McGlade has been unusually beforehand in the preparation of her Christmas Catalog, which she tells me will contain some choice bits from the pen of Frances Lester Warner, whose forth'coming volume of essays, "The Unintentional Charm of Men," promises to be a popular holiday gift book. UNDERGROUND bookstores have a decided advantage, in point of temperature, at this time of the year over their rivals which operate on a level with the sidewalk. One has only to wander into Butterfield's Bromfield Street basement at the noon hour and try to get a book out of the lending library to prove the truth of this statement. Mr. Butterfield's lending library trade is one of the leading departments of his business. AT the spring meeting of the Boston Authors' Club, Professor Charles H. Grandgent of Harvard University was elected president for the ensuing year. The post of first vice-president will be filled by Gamaliel Bradford, whose autobiography, "Life and I," is prominently displayed in the local bookstores. AN unusually interesting catalog of ΑΝ books came to me the other day from Norman Alexander Hall, who carries on his trade from Newton Centre. This par ticular catalog listed more than three hundred items, including many first editions. A1 LTHO all booksellers cannot get to Europe as often as they might like, E. A. Pitman, head of the book department of Jordan, Marsh and Company, seizes the opportunity whenever he can. He is now back in town after a very successful trip. THE HORN BOOK, the magazine published four times a year by the Bookshop for Boys and Girls, recently received favorable mention by William Rose Benét in his department, the Phoenix Nest, in the Saturday Review of Literature. IN spite of the large number of local con testants, the Boston Herald prize for the best review of Esther Forbes's "A Mirror for Witches" was awarded to Helen Welshimer, Literary Editor of the Canton (Ohio) Sun. THE Charles E. Lauriat Company is taking advantage of this season of boating along the North and South shores to feature the latest American sea books as well as a group of special English importations on this subject which has a perennial interest in New England. CLIFFORD GESSLER, literary editor of the Honolulu Star Bulletin has been in town for several days visiting publishers and booksellers. Geraldine Gordon arranged a reading by Mr. Gessler one evening at her Wellesley bookshop. THE LIVING AGE, which has been published in Boston since 1844 will hereafter be published in New York under the editorship of John Bakeless. DOROTHEA LAWRANCE MANN'S article on the centenary of the Old Corner Bookstore, written for the Boston Transcript, has now been reprinted by the Old Corner and is offered for free distribution in pamphlet form. It is entitled "A Centenary of Bookselling: 1828-1928" and contains a dozen half-tone illustrations. The Nation for June 13 carries an interesting article on this worthy event. The "Brook" Books PASSERSBY before the window of Dut ton's retail store have been caught once or twice in the past year by displays of what were labeled "The Brook Set." Inquiry proved that "The Brook Set" was one, which like Tennyson's brook, could run on forever. That is, here was a group of the standard literature of all nations, bound in uniform but beautiful hand-tooled binding, not more than one to three books by an author, so that the person who wanted to have an attractive shelf of great books could buy from this collection and gather together a shelf of books according to his own taste or send such a collection in varying number to a friend as a gift. From time to time new titles are consid ered for the collection, and there is a great range of interest from Rabelais, Dickens or Dumas to Thoreau, Whitman and H. G. Wells. The binding has been done by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, and the editions selected are the best available library editions. In half tanned calf the books sell for $12.50 each, and in half levant at $15 each. Books on Party Platforms for THE most recent topic selected by the National League of Women Voters Radio Service is "How Party Platforms Are Made." The American Library Association has compiled the following booklist on the subject: C. E. Merriam and Louise Overacker. "Primary Elections." University of Chicago, 1928. Several pages discuss how the party platform is to be framed if direct nomination is submitted for the delegate system. Raymond Moley. "The Practice of Politics" (Reading with a Purpose Series) A. L. A., 1927. A brief popular presentation of certain basic factors in United States politics. Written by an authority on the subject who suggests seven definite books for further reading. Edward McChesney Sait. "American Parties and Elections." (Century Political Science Series) Century, 1927. Discusses lack of definite principles in forming a party platform, presents both criticism and justification of one, and points out its elaborate character and the attitude of politicians towards. it. San Francisco Booksellers' THE Booksellers' Association of San Francisco and Bay Counties met on June 14th, and their speakers and guests were Ednah Aiken, author of "Love and I," Mrs. Grace Jones Morgan, author of "Salvage All," and Jacland Marmur, author of "Ecola!" Periodical Notes John Martin's Book WITH THE JULY NUMBER, John Martin's Book has changed its format to a much larger size, giving a type page of 7 inches by 10 3/16. In connection with this change in format the magazine has printed a page of greeting expressing a sincere appreciation and admiration for John Martin, signed by ten of the principal publishers of children's books who are interested in promoting better literature for children. "John Martin's Book, now mature in years and in size, has brought pleasant dreams and healthy minds to a whole gene ration of young people. We wish John Martin long life and even greater success, and hope that we may always see beneath the clever business man the smiling face of Pan." The American Home DOUBLEDAY, DORAN announce the issuance of a new magazine to be entitled "The American Home." It will be devoted to the building, the equipment, the decoration and furnishing of homes, and the planting and care of gardens, with major emphasis on the modest house. Its appeal will be directed to the young and ambitious home builders who seek to live with charm and good taste on a limited income. Each issue will contain articles by nationally known authorities. The price will be 10 a copy and $1.00 a year if secured by sub scription. The editor will be Ellen Wangner, for some years an associate editor of Country Life and Garden Magazine and Home Builder. One of her outstanding editorial achievements was the starting of National Garden Week from which seven hundred new garden clubs resulted. She has also written for the Ladies Home Journal, The Woman's Home Companion, and Pictorial Review. The first issue of "The American Home" will appear on the stands September 15th. The American Collector 1 THE AMERICAN COLLECTOR is now located at 1776 Broadway. The delayed issues will be mailed at once, and the magazine will appear regularly hereafter. Communications CHARLES H. AYERS Little, Brown & Company, Editor, Publishers' Weekly: In the passing of Charles H. Ayers, late manager of the book department of the American News Co., the booktrade has indeed met with a great loss and some of the booksellers, who, like myself, have long been accustomed to meet him in the marts of trade, will surely and sorely miss a genial and true friend. My acquaintance with Charlie began 1ater ripened into the enduring ties of true about 1895, in a purely business way,-but friendship, which has continued until the end came. May I, too, add a heartfelt tribute to the sweet memory of a good man whose every action proclaimed him to be clean, wholesome, and in every way worthy of one's respect and love. FRED E. WOODWARD. "NOT IN STOCK" Editor, Publishers' Weekly: Your weekly "Book Exchange" is always interesting reading, and we found it humorous as well, in your issue of April 28. On page 1820 the Hearthstone Book Shop requests copies of "Little Sermons to Boys," "Little Sermons to Girls," by Arthur Patrick Redfield. These titles were taken from the bibliography attached to Nelson Antrim Crawford's biography of "A Man of Learning." Mr. Crawford's aim was to write this work of satirical fiction entirely in the manner of authentic biography. Evidently, he succeeded only too well, in this case! seller did not understand that this is not to Incidentally, it appears that the bookbe sold as biography. It is satirical fiction for those who take their satire neat. Cordially yours, LITTLE, BROWN & COMPANY, P.S.-By the way, we had nothing to do with the insertion of this ad, in case any one should ask. 1 Holt's New Religious Book Department HAROLD STEELE MACKAYE HAROLD STEELE MACKAYE, a patent lawyer and author of several works of fic A NEWLY organized religious depart- tion, died last week at the age of 62 years. ment will begin to function for Henry Holt and Company this fall. Its editor, Gilbert Loveland, has spent several months making a survey of the field and laying his plans. The general policy of the department will be one of open-mindedness to all worthy points of view. Its books will be designed to inform rather than to preach. Mr. Loveland, who is an honor graduate of Northwestern University, was connected with the Methodist Church organization in various capacities for several years, and conducted the Centenary Campaign among church schools, during which a total of $8,500,000 was raised for home and foreign missionary activities of the schools. He is the author of a handbook on missionary education, called "Training World Christians," and assisted in the editing of magazines and books in the missionary field. during his connection with the Methodist organization. Obituary Notes BASIL KING BASIL KING, that is William Benjamin King, died on June 22nd at his home in Cambridge, Mass., after an illness of four years. Mr. King was born in Charlottetown, Canada, February 26, 1859 and educated in Nova Scotia. He did not immediately turn to writing, but served first in the Episcopal ministry. Failing eyesight caused him to resign as rector of Christ Church in Cambridge, but before he entirely lost his sight he learned to typewrite so that when blindness came he would not be helpless. He then wrote steadily. "The Inner Shrine" which was published anonymously in 1909 brought him much honor when it became known that he was the author. His "Conquest of Fear" was also immensely popular. Other books by Mr. King included, "Griselda," 1900; "The Giant's Strength," 1907; "Street Called Straight," 1912; "The Lifted Veil," 1917; "The Thread of Flame," 1920; "The High Forfeit," 1925; "Faith and Success," 1925; "The Spreading Dawn," 1927 and "Pluck," 1928. He was a son of the late Steele Mackaye, playwright, and brother of Percy Mackaye, dramatist and poet. He was the author of "The Panchronicon" and "The Winged Helmet." Changes in Price HARPER AND BROTHERS "THE INVADER," by Hilda Vaughan, will be $2.50 instead of $2.00. "BOOKS THAT CHANGE THE WORLD," by Hilaire Belloc, will be $2.00 instead of $3.00. "SEEING IS BELIEVING," by Christabel Pankhurst, will be $2.50 instead of $2.00 CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS Effective June 21, 1928, prices on the following books by Galsworthy in the Regular Edition will be raised from $2.00 to $2.50: "Beyond," "Country House," "The Dark Flower," "Five Tales," "Fraternity," "The Freelands," "In Chancery," "Island Pharisees," "Man of Property," "The Patrician," "Saint's Progress," "The Silver Spoon," "To Let," "The White Monkey." The price of Morley Callaghan's "Strange Fugitive" will also be raised from $2.00 to $2.50. PAYSON & CLARKE, LTD. The price of Paul T. Frankl's 'New Dimensions, The Decorative Arts of Today in Words and Pictures" has been reduced from $10 to $6. Personal Note WILL A. FRIEND, who has been superintendent of Stanford University Press for the past eight years, has been appointed general manager of the Press. Business Notes ARDMORE, PA.-The Aladdin Studio, at Montgomery and Anderson Avenues, under the management of Elsie Elizabeth Stockett, has a book department. ATLANTA, GA.-The Harrison Co., law book sellers, has removed to 151 Spring St., N. W. Elkins, West VA.-Inez McNeill Allen, 114 Boundary Avenue, who has been conducting a mail order service, has now opened a circulating library. HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.-The Boys' and Girls' Bookshop, Mae Pryce Brooks, will open at 1712 McCadden Place on August 1st. HOUSTON, TEXAS.-Swift's Inc., will be a large new general store in the new shopping district at the corner of Maine and Lamar Street. A. P. Swift, the president, has had experience in other shops in the west and southwest, and has a strong and well-financed organization for a large general store. The vice-president is J. P. Bullington, and Mrs. J. P. Bullington is secretary and treasurer. All types of general books are to be carried, and there will be a department for old and rare books and a rental library. Mr. Swift has been in New York for a few weeks buying stock, and expects to open about the middle of July. MARIETTA, OHIO.-The Charles Sugden Bookshop, 134 Putnam Street, has been bought by Ralph Sugden, who will conduct it at the same address. MEXICO CITY.-In September, Miss Elizabeth Lewis will open The Mexico City League Book Shop at Sanborn's, F. J. Madero Ave. A rental library with orders taken for other books. NEW YORK CITY.-The Advance Circulating Library has been opened at 647 Broadway by George S. Macaluso. NEW YORK CITY.-Aaron Chorover, doing business under the firm name of "Jimmy Higgins Bookshop," at 106 University Place, has been duly adjudicated bankrupt. Meeting of his creditors on July 2nd at the office of the referee, Henry K. Davis. NEW YORK CITY.-Charles E. Merrill Co., has removed from 440 to 381 Fourth Avenue. PITTSFIELD, MASS.-The Open Book, now on South St., is moving into much larger quarters in the main shopping district at 70 North St. Catharine Manion, for twenty years in charge of books at England's Department Store in Pittsfield, has joined Lesley Frost in the enterprise. Miss Frost is now devoting part time to editorial work with Doubleday, Doran & Co. SPRING LAKE BEACH, N. J.-The Village Studio, Marie Weindell, has a circulating library. STROUDSBURG, PA.-Lydia Gilpin's Little Gift Shop has a circulating library. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.-Fred T. Darvill, law book dealer has moved his law book store and also his general book store to 375-377 South Second East Street. |