LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. The interests of the trade can not be better served, than by a full discussion by its members of all questions which affect it. Our columns are always open to communications on any such subject, provided they be brief and suggestive, and we cordially invite the trade to express any suggestions or opinions of interest or value in "Letters to the Editor." Copy-Books in Chicago. [THE following correspondence is sent to us by the New-York house, with request to publish.-ED.] NEW-YORK, June 14, 1875. MESSRS. JANSEN, MCCLURG & Co.: GENTLEMEN: Are not the P. D. & S. copybooks now supplied to children of the Chicago schools at retail under contract from Messrs. Potter, Ainsworth & Co.-A. S. Barnes, special partner at 9 or 10 cents, the advertising and regular price being 15 cents? These terms were gained, if we mistake not, by a "sharp bluff game" similar to that resorted to in the Geography case, which is so fully ventilated in the current number of the PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY. If leading publishers have so little backbone, in the face of "extraordinary circumstances," or those "sharp necessities," when seeking to effect a sale of their books, then book-trade associations founded on their support are nothing but a farce or a snare. Truly yours, IVISON, BLAKEMAN, TAYLOR & CO. CHICAGO, June 18, 1875. MESSRS. IVISON, BLAKEMAN, TAYLOR & CO.: GENTLEMEN: In reply to your inquiry of the 14th inst. we would say that the P. D. & S. Copy-Books are supplied to the scholars of the Chicago public schools, by the special agreement of the publishers, at not over 10 cents per copy at retail. When this plan was proposed by the publishers to the Board of Education, the larger bookselling firms objected strongly, and refused to retail the books at the price named, knowing that, as they paid 9 cents apiece for the books in the largest quantities in New-York, it would be impossible for them to sell them again to the smaller dealers at such rates that the latter could retail them to the children at 10 cents and make any profit whatever. However, the opposition was not positive enough; the scheme was adopted, and the books have since then been supplied by the agent of the publishers in Chicago to the local retailers at 9 cents, and sold again by them at 10 cents. Not only is this action on his part, as we believe, in conflict with all true business principles, but also a direct violation of the rules of the Publishers' Board of Trade. The dealers of Chicago were surprised that a house in which Mr. Barnes was a partner should inaugurate such a system of trade, and still more surprised that it should have been allowed by the Publishers' Board to go on without correction. The result is a direct discrimination against those publishers who abide by the rules, for we have been informed that members of the Chicago Board of Education who prefer another series of copy-books have been deterred from advocating a change only clined to obligate themselves to have their because the publishers of this other series de books retailed here at 10 cents. In the light of recent events, Chicago dealers see that they have made a great mistake in not making a strong and united effort to prevent this unjust violation of rules. Yours very truly, JANSEN, MCCLURG & Co. Between Two Fires. KALAMAZOO, Mich., June 15, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: deal of interest the movement in behalf of re DEAR SIR: We have watched with a good form in the book trade; but from our standpoint, the Put-in Bay Convention was a move forward in the crab fashion. We can not see what possible advantage it is to the small jobber or retailer to have their discounts lowered, and at the same time to allow ministers, doctors, teachers, and large buyers generally, who are the consumers of nine tenths of all the books that are published, to still have a discount of twenty per cent or over. Under the old rule we could make fifteen or twenty per cent off that class of customers, whereas under the Put-in Bay rules and Western jobbers' combination, we can only make from five to ten per cent profit. Now that looks to us like reform with a vengeance, but it is such a reform that retailers can not stand a great while. It appears to us that the Messrs. Lippincott's plan is the right one-a complete return to retail prices, no matter how large the buyer, to all parties outside of the trade. All that should be asked of publishers is that they shall not lie when they publish the retail price of their books. Respectfully yours, SHAKESPEARE & ROUNDS. Obituary. CHARLES H. PHALEN. THE trade has suffered no small loss by the drowning at the Williamsburgh ferry, on the night of the 15th, of Mr. Charles H. Phalen. He was graduated last year, with distinguished honor, at Amherst. Having seen something of the commercial side of the book world, he at once took temporary service with Messrs. Ginn Brothers, as traveling agent. On October 1, he became general manager of the educational interests of Henry Holt & Co. His was one of those rare natures which are superior to experience, and he was successful from the start. One of the stipulations on which he took his position was, that he was not to work for any book that he did not believe in. His absolute honesty seemed to impress all whom he approached, and to make them believe a book was good, simply because he said so. To have business relations with him was to become his friend, and his energy and discretion were worthy of his scholarship, social qualities, and integrity. The association of such a man with the trade, however young he may be or modest his position, is a good whose loss is to be deplored. Those who knew Mr. Phalen best feel most assured that in him died great promise, not only of personal eminence, but of high influence in his calling. 46 STATIONERY NOTES dress and trimmings are made here. The dolls sizes stand upright without other support than present a very pretty appearance, and the larger the skirts. The dolls are put up in handsome boxes that resemble a house. LITERARY AND TRADE NEWS. MESSRS. HOSFORD & SONS, Cedar street, NewYork, have placed upon the market the Opaque Envelopes." They are made of a fine quality of tinted paper, and the manufacturers claim for them that the price is not higher than ordinary envelopes; that they are perfectly opaque, and that for strength and A HUGE volume of more than a thousand good surface they are equal to any thing in the large octavo pages, collating the "Martial Deeds market. The same house issues another style of Pennsylvania," is to be published by T. H. called the "Safety Opaque." This envelope is Davis & Co., Philadelphia. It is a record of cut with a very deep flap, which admits of its the part played by Pennsylvania and her sons being well gummed, without danger to the in the War of the Rebellion, and is especially letter it contains, and by adding to the thick-rich in brief biographies of the leaders. ness of the covering it prevents the letter being read by holding it up to the light. The envelopes cost, No. 5, $3.75, and No 6, $4, one third off. DODD & MEAD will shortly issue a collection of poems by P. Hamilton Myers, of Auburn, N. Y. The title poem in "Ensenore and other Poems" was first published some years since, and is said to have achieved a considerable popularity in Central New-York. WE are to have some of the veterans at Niagara-among them Mr. J. N. Whiting, who has been in the book business in Indianapolis, chiefly in his own publications, since 1829, nearly half a century. MR. LEAVITT is now busy laying out the plans for the accommodation of selling houses at the Exchange. The entire second floor of Clinton Hall, 75 by 150, will be occupied by the book-publishers represented; and the tables, racks, desks, and shelving will be so arranged as to give each of the large houses a little counting-room by itself. We hope to print a plan of the floor of the Exchange, with distribution of publishers, in an early number. Up-stairs will be the publishers of chromos, the manufacturing stationers, etc. THAT interesting book by Miss West, long a missionary of the American Board at the East, "The Romance of Missions; or, Inside Views of Life and Labors in the Land of Ararat," is nearly ready at Randolph's. It tells some strange and entertaining love-stories and other romances, and has a happy introduction by Mrs. Charles, author of the Schönberg-Cotta books. THE Putnams are to publish a new Library Atlas, which will have the threefold advantage of ranging with ordinary sized books (large 8vo); being thoroughly comprehensive, for it will contain 100 maps and two plates, covering modern, historical, and classical geography; and being cheap of its kind ($10 and upwards). There will be descriptive text to each part, and an index covering many thousand places, and the volume promises to be the best of their already valuable series. THE Appletons have just ready a new novel by Frances Elliot, author of "Romance of Old Court Life in France." It is called "The Italians," and deals with present life in Lucca. of the valuable library of the late Hon. Thomas H. Wynne, Corresponding Secretary of the Virginia Historical Society. Rich in Americana, private prints and local histories, Confederate States publications, etc. Orders filled by the auctioneer; catalogues sent on application. Address J. THOMPSON BROWN, Auctioneer, 1113 Main Street, Richmond, Va. HOLDEN'S BOVERK FOR COVERING SCHOOLBOOKS & Every Dealer should have them. No pasting, no folding-applied in a second. The Economic Advertiser's sales 100,000 per month. Send for sample. HOLDEN'S Cheapest in the market. HANDY LETTER FILE, Agents wanted. Samples sent by mail on receipt of 75 cents. SOLE MANUFACTURERS, LD BOOKSTORE FOR SALE, established in Brooklyn, Long Island, twelve years. The stock consists of 20,000 volumes of Books, 15,000 Engravings, 400 pieces of Music, besides Pamphlets, Plays, Stationery, etc., etc. Old age the reason for selling. Address, E. R. GILLESPIE, 54 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn. S. W. GREEN, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER, Electrotyper, Stereotyper, and Binder, 14, 16 & 18 JACOB STREET New-York. Printer of PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY. JOSEPH GILLOTT'S Celebrated Steel Pens. Sold by all Dealers throughout the World. MANUFACTURERS' WAREHOUSE, No. 91 JOHN STREET, New-York. HENRY HOE, Sole Agent. JOSEPH GILLOTT & SONS. A. M. COLLINS, SON & CO., MANUFACTURERS OF CARDS AND CARD-BOARDS FOR STATIONERS, PRINTERS, AND PHOTOGRAPHERS, No. 18 South Sixth Street and No. 9 Decatur Street, PHILADELPHIA. Price-List furnished on application. Correspondence solicited Special attention paid to miscellaneous orders by mail. CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, BOOKS Publishers, AND WHOLESALE DEALERS IN AND STATIONERY, 624, 626, and 628 Market Street, PHILADELPHIA. JUST RECEIVED. THE PROTOPLASMIC THEORY OF LIFE. By JOHN DRYSDALE, M.D. (Edinburgh), F.R.M.S., One of the Editors of Fletcher's "Pathology;" Author of " Physiological Action of Kali Bichromicum," and of "Life and the Equivalence of Force;" co-Author of "Health and Comfort in HouseBuilding." London. Pp. 288. Crown 8vo, cloth. Price, $2.50. BOERICKE & TAFEL, 145 Grand Street, New-York. FATED TO BE FREE. BY JEAN INGELOW. "FATED TO BE FREE" is a Sequel to Miss INGELOW's very popular novel, “Off the SKELLIGS," and will be published in one volume, 16mo, uniform with that book. Price, $1.75. READY JULY 1st. Will the Trade please send in their orders at once to ROBERTS BROTHERS, Publishers, BOSTON. To the Book Trade OF THE United States. The Officers of the American Book Trade Association call the attention of the Booksellers throughout the country to the necessity of earnest and united co-operation by the whole trade that they may fully accomplish the work they have undertaken. To this end, they most earnestly ask the members of the trade who have not already done so, to connect themselves with the Association, and by their presence at the next convention, to be held at Niagara Falls, July 13th, 1875, identify themselves with the reform. Booksellers may become members of the Association, by remitting the dues (Two Dollars) to the undersigned, or to the Treasurer, TIMOTHY NICHOLSON, Esq., WESTMINSTER QUESTION-BOOK, For the next Six Months, at 10 cts. The Board of Publication have printed an edition of the QuestionBook of the last half of the year, which will be furnished at 10 cents per copy, in Boards. Please address JOHN A. BLACK, Business Superintendent, No. 1334 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. JOHN CHURCH & CO., CINCINNATI, OHIO, PUBLISHERS, JOBBERS, AND RETAILERS OF Richmond, Ind., and authorizing the sig- MUSIC BOOKS. nature of their names to the Constitution. It is expected that the several Committees will be prepared to present their reports, upon the assembling of the convention. "By their songs we are conquered." P. P. BLISS' A preliminary meeting of the Officers GOSPEL SONGS, of the American Book Trade Association will be held at the International Hotel, Niagara Falls, on Tuesday, July 13th, at nine A.M., at which all the Officers are expected to be present. WM. LEE, A. D. F. RANDOLPH, Care Lee & Shepard, President. Chairman Executive Committee, Boston. JAS. S. BAKER, Care Baker, Pratt & Co., New-York, Corresponding Secretary. A Song-Setting of Gospel Truths, BY P. P. BLISS, For Revivals, Praise Meetings, and Sunday-Schools. It is offered as being the Most Powerful set of Songs for Revivals and Praise Meetings ever published. As will be noticed, it contains Songs that have acquired a world-wide popularity and influence. Beside these will be found many New and Equally Good Songs and Hymns for the Sunday-School, by this most popular author. An examination will convince any one interested that "Gespel Songs" is a work of more than ordinary merit. Price 35 cents; $3.60 per dozen. Specimen copy for examination mailed, post-paid, on receipt of 30 cents. Complete stock of our Book Publications can be found in New-York City, at Lee, Shepard & Dillingham's. JOHN CHURCH & CO., Cincinnati, Ohio. |