Lippincott. Biddle, H. P. (199), American Boyhood, $1.50. Cartoons. See Preston, M. Fort, G., F. (199), Early History and Antiquities of Free- Gostwick, J. (201), English Poets, $10; $15...Appleton. Lee & S. Hoyt. Young. Heine, H. (201), Prose Miscellanies, $1.50. .Lippincott. (199) Mr. Mackenzie's Answer, $1.25... Nat. Temp. Soc. India and its Native Princes. See Rousselet, L. Indiana. See Davis, E. A. Ingelow, J. (201), The Shepherd Lady, $4.50; $9. Roberts. Jesus the Cure of Skepticism. See Matson, H. Cranch, C. P. (201), The Bird and the Bell, $2.... Osgood. Kardec, A. (201), The Spirits' Book, $1.75.... Colby & R. Cyrilla Maude's First Love. See Wood, H. Dana, Jr., R. H. (201), Two Years before the Mast, new ed., $1.50........ Osgood. Davis, E. A. (200), Digest of Decisions of Supreme Court of Indiana, 2 v., shp., $12.... Davies' Legendre (201), Key to Appendix, $1.... Barnes. Dickens, C. (201), Drawn from Life, $1.50..........Hale. -(200) Works, Ill. Gadshill ed., v. 7, 8, and 9;-(201) Same, v. 10, 11, and 12, ea., $2... Osgood. inkwater, J. M. (199), Fred and Jeanie, $1.25. Carter. Bois, A. J. (201), Graphical Statics, $2. lesiology. See Fish, E. J. Kendrick, A. C. (201), Our Poetical Favorites, Sec. Series, $2.... Sheldon. King, K. (201), Off the Roll, pap., 75 c.. .Harper. Kirby, E. A. (199), Phosphorus as a Remedy for Loss of Nerve Power, 2d ed., pap., 50 c...........Lindsay & B. Knatchbull-Hugessen, E. H. (201), Higgledy-Piggledy, Appleton. $1.75... Lacroix, P. (199), The Eighteenth Century, $15; $18; Lady's (201) Album for 1876, v. 23, 50 c......... Carlton. ..Lea. Van Nostrand. Little Classics (199), ed. by R. H. Stoddard, v. 16, Authors, $1.... .Osgood. Leslie, E. (200), Elfreda. $1.50-Leofwine, $1.50;-(199) Marian's Mission, $1;-Sunshine of Blackpool, $1. Nelson & P. 1. (200), Origin of our Alphabet, pap., 50 c. Westermann. the Church. See Headley, P. C. ), Six to Sixteen, $1.50.........Roberts. and Paintings. See Shedd, J. H. Little Folks (201), $2.50; $1.50.... .....Am. News Co. Little (201) Lessons for Little Housekeepers, Nelson & P. pap., 15 c. Randolph. Seigneret, P. (201), Life and Letters, $1.50.. O'Shea. Six to Sixteen. See Ewing, J. H. Mill, J. S. (201), Political Economy, new ed., 2 v., $4. Myers, E. H. (199), Disruption of the Methodist Epis. Mysterious Island. See Verne, J. Barnes. Norton, J. N. (199), Golden Truths, $2...... Whittaker. River (200) of Dreams, etc., by G. E. O., $1.25.. Lee & S. Rivers of Ice. See Ballantyne, R. M. Robinson, C. S. (201), Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Rocks Ahead. See Greg, W. R. Barnes. Smith, J. P. (200), Courting and Farming, $1.75. Carleton. Steel, Use of. See Barba, J. Stockton, F. R. (200), Tales out of School, $2.50. Stoddard, R. H. See Treasure Trove. Scribner. Nelson & P. Young. True (201) Aim Stories, '5 v., $3 Two Years before the Mast. See Dana, Jr., R. H. Benziger. O'Shea. Werner, E. (200), A Hero of the Pen, $1.50; pap., 75 C. Am. Tract Soc. Rousselet, L. (200), India and its Native Princes, $25; Williams, R. (199), Life and Letters, 2 v., $10. $30 $35.. St. Benedict, Life of. See Allibert, M. ... Scribner. THE Bric-a-Brac series will make a great hit in their present shape. Mr. Dingman, of Scribner, Armstrong & Co., has devised a new style of box for the set, which shows them off admirably, and the house proposes to renew the run of these clever books by issuing them in fine bindings at an unprecedentedly low price-but 25 cents more per volume in an exquisite binding in half vellum, and but 50 cents more in lovely new designs, of every color, in half calf. This makes the cheapest set in fine bindings in the market-$20 for ten volumes in half calf! These books in box sets are becoming very much the thing, and Baker, Whittaker. The Other Side Again. THE reform will gain, and not lose, by every full discussion of its principles, and we ask from our readers a hearing for the honest argument against it elsewhere reprinted from the Observer, as we ask from the Observer itself attention to what is to be said on both sides of the question. Its correspondent makes several points he would scarcely have made had he followed the previous discussion of the reform or thoroughly investigated its principles, but several features of his letter demand present notice. We have no sympathy with any movement that tends to shut out any class of men from any kind of legitimate business, and despite the mistaken desire of a narrow man here or there, we believe the reform movement, in the hands of its leaders, is safe against being converted into any such engine of wrong. The aim of the reform, in this respect, is simply to prevent bookstores which keep a stock and represent the publisher and literature to the local community being driven out of existence by underselling, which can only be indulged in by two classes of men-those who are so shortsighted in their business that they are not likely to pay their debts, and those who keep just the few new books which are selling with a rush, as an incidental feature of some other business. The reform does not contemplate driving these men out, but simply requires them to hold to the retail prices on which the transactions of the entire book trade are based, without which maintenance the better class of stores must go to the wall. If it be said, let the bookstores keep then only such books as are immediately wanted, there is nothing to reply, except that this would be most unfortunate to the cause of education and culture. Here is the moral reason for the reform, which separates the book trade morally from groceries or dry-goods. and expenses." This is certainly an honest, straightforward system, far better than that of the retailer buying on the basis of a stated retail price, and finding that price practically knocked to pieces by the time he gets his goods in stock. The objection is that such a system would be an almost fatal blow at all local retail bookstores. It is already too general a habit for a customer to walk into a bookstore, look over the books and sample what he wants ask the price, and then send direct to undersellers at the large centres, and thus dodge payment for the local bookseller's services, after making the most of them. Books being exact duplicates, salable from sample or catalogues or advertisements from any part of the country to any other part, and transportable through the mails at small cost, the lowest price anywhere is practically the price everywhere, so that the local dealer must mostly sell at the lowest margin, or quit. This distinction. which is common to books and patented articles, separates them commercially from the other materials of trade. The first distinction is the reason why it is right to carry out this reform; the second distinction is the reason why it is necessary. It is possible, because a book, in any copyright or distinctive edition, is in the hands of the one publisher. If he misuses this power by making his prices too high, he will be let severely alone, as has recently been shown in one case. In fact, by making the advertised price the real price of a book, the reform is already bringing about a wholesome competition between publishers on their prices-and this is where competition should come in. One word more. It is the business of a publisher to do the best for his author, and for a religious publication society to circulate all the books it can in an honest way. If the publisher finds that by selling one copy to this man, he is prevented (by natural conditions) from selling two to another, does the author propose to enjoin him to sell copy No. 1? If the religious publication society is dealing with the trade, it deals on the basis of a low advertised price which it itself makes. Is it fair or honest to turn on this or that buyer, and have him instantly undersold? If a book is for gra The writer hints at a re-organization of the entire publishing business, and this, as we have many times pointed out, would be an ultimate consequence of the system which the movement desires to reform. His suggestion for starting-off books has a flavor of novelty, but is simply a modification of a German plan part-tuitous distribution, that is fair and square, so ly adopted here and carried out in our own case with the Trade List Annual, namely, making a lower price to subscribers previous to publication, who come forward to assure the enterprise. But the gist of his letter is the idea that publishers should make their own stated price for a book, and allow the retailers to make a retail price at what profit is necessary to them, according to their several locations long as it is understood; but when it is sold. the conditions on which it is tacitly sold should be honestly lived up to. Every body should be glad to see a good book circulate far and widegiven away, if there are generous people to do it; but in the light of all justice, what would be the morality of a religious publication society that should encourage a local dealer to buy. say its hymn-book, for the purpose of introduc ing it into his church, knowing that the next day it would supply that very church for half price or for nothing? THAT distinguished bookseller who bears the greatest name in all literature, and is therefore entitled to keep a bookstore, writes from Kalamazoo : A WELL-KNOWN bookseller at the West adds his voice in protest against the high wholesale prices of certain newspapers, and he wants a convention to settle the matter. We must say it is high time for the trade to get over the notion that conventions, or, for that matter, associations of any sort, are a cure-all for every thing. If conventions could have brought about the millennium, it could have come long ago. The truth is, conventions accomplish nothing, unless they are followed up by individual action. They show what ought to be done, but it remains for people at home to do that. If pub-furnished their list promptly months ago : lishers of newspapers or books are so unwise in fixing their prices, or in their loose ways of making sales, that it becomes impossible for square dealers to sell their papers or books and get the money back, the dealer of common sense should simply stop keeping them, whether his less wise neighbor does the same or The existence of a bookstore does not depend upon whether this or that weekly, or this or that edition, is right in stock, and a reasonable amount of common-sense independence in these matters is the quickest way to the complete triumph of the reform. As far as the organization goes, the reform is progressing with reasonable speed, but it is individual inaction -we may almost say cowardice-that is the chief drawback. "We have a faint recollection of some time in the far past sending our subscriptions to a book, to be entitled the 'Stationers' Hand-Book.' Can you give us any information on the point, or was it only a dream? Is there to be such a book in the near future? Please relieve our suspense, and oblige." In similar strain, our brother Munsell writes from Albany: "But what has become of the Trade Annual?' Some of my books on the copies I sent you are now out of print, and are replaced by others not on the list." While to the same tenor is a communication from Wilson, Hinkle & Co., of Cincinnati, who not. If the publishers like the position they are put in by the undersellers, well and good. The dollar-store in New-York issues a catalogue in which are lines of books published by Messrs. Carleton, Routledge, Porter & Coates, and others of good repute on the commercial records-and here is its explanation. After inquiring how they are enabled to undersell everybody else, the proprietors say: "The solution of the mystery is very simple. Capital controls commerce. In every large commercial centre there are always many firms engaged in business who are short of ready money with which to meet their obligations. They have bought large bills of goods in foreign or domestic markets, and given their notes for them. When these notes are becoming due, they find money is scarce, and collections hard to make; but the money must be had, or they must forfeit their credit"-etc., etc. How do the gentlemen named like this? There is some tall lying done in this catalogue, which is a sample of one method of the undersellers the retail price of all Miss Alcott's books is stated to be $1.75, and Charles Reade's books, which are priced by both Harper and Osgood at $1 a volume, are stated to be $1.75 retail. We doubt if the dollar-store is able to supply this particular stock at all. "Why not leave the slow-coaches out, if they will not come to time? A prompt list in July, with the most important lists, would be of more use than a full list in December." 46 We heartily agree with all these complainants. They have been abused-and so have we! The reading-matter forms of the Stationers' Hand-Book" are not only ready, but printed, and we expect it will be found of the utmost value to the trade. We are only waiting the lists. The "Annual is at last out, as we had finally to make up our minds we would not wait any more delays, and is being delivered. As was announced, the price is now raised to cover the cost of the valuable indexes, and we expect that, once the limited edition is exhausted, the current price will continue to advance by compound interest. AN interesting conference on the new postage rates is reported elsewhere. There is certainly no division of sentiment among the publishers on this question. An Explanation. WE are requested by Messrs. Sheldon & Co. to state that, in view of their early removal, in January next, to a publishing office in Murray street, near the new Post-Office, they have decided to give up their retail department, as four years ago they gave up their jobbing department, and will thereafter confine themselves exclusively to the sale of their own publications to the book trade only. In view of their entire abandonment of the retail business, they are necessitated, of course, to dispose of the considerable retail stock with which they were obliged to fill their store in Broadway, leaving the retail trade to those others now engaged in it. They have therefore decided to clear out this stock by offering it at reduced prices for thirty days-a conclusion to which we know they have come with honest reluctance, feeling that although it is a case parallel to the provision for dead stock and not antago nistic to reform principles, it might be so misconstrued by other members of the trade. They have freely advertised it for sale, and have called personally upon every one whom they thought would entertain a proposition of purchasing it as a whole at a very low price. Failing to sell it in wholesale lots, and finding, after consultation with those in the city most interested in the reform, no other way out of the difficulty, they will throw their stock on the market by a clearing-out retail sale, which will be placarded as such. They will put in no new stock, nor indeed have they been buying to any extent since they contemplated such a sale, and we do not see but that, considering the circumstances, this should be satisfactory to the trade. It seems to us that the occasion gives sufficient explanation to the retail buyer, and that the Broadway trade with full stocks will do best to hold to their prices accordingly. Such emergencies as this must arise, in all good faith, in any trade, unfortunate as they are, and if a customer says that he can get a set of Dickens for half price, have him understand it is half price because of a bona fide clearing-out sale, and that only the one or two copies offered can be had. In selecting a place for a purely publishing house, Messrs. Sheldon & Co. have no room for a retail stock, and since we know the house were ready to make any reasonable sacrifice rather than reduce prices even under such exceptional circumstances, the question seems to have reduced itself to the alternative of practically throwing the retail stock away or offering it at reduced prices. can and BALTIMORE, Nov. 10, 1875. To the Editor of the Publishers' Weekly: SIR: Will it console "Subscriber" in his mi sery to hear the late experience of another subscriber with a house not south of Mason & Dixon? Wishing for three periodicals not to be had in our town, I looked in the catalogue of a Northern house, when I found what I wanted, under the heads" Domestic and Foreign," price given. I inclosed the amount for one Ameritwo English magazines. Answer: We can only furnish one of the three ordered. The we do not know. Can you give us the publisher's name?" My answer was to refer them to such a page of their own catalogue for the magazine they did not know. Then they answered that they had inferred the order was for domestic magazines, and that they returned me the money as requested. But they did no such thing; they inclosed instead a letter intended for a gentleman in Mississippi. So the cost to me for encouraging our own trade was MR. W. H. WATSON, of Aurora, Ill., hearty seconds a recent correspondent's protest against the wholesale prices of newspapers. After paying this price, and expressage from Chicago, he has no margin, if but two or three are left over. 'Publishers may say you are not obliged to keep a news-room;" but customers require a first-class dealer to keep papers. He is trying to get the other dealer of his town to join in cutting off such papers. and he suggests a convention of newsdealers in Chicago, in January, toward which he is willing to subscribe $25. The Observer Discussion [WE are heartily glad to see that the 0 server, which has so large a constituency of book-loving and book-buying people, is giving considerable space to a discussion of the book reform. We reprint below a letter in reply to Mr. Randolph, with the remarks of the editors of the Observer, from its issue of Nov. 25. Our own remarks upon it will be that Mr. Randolph is President of the general found elsewhere. We may say here, however. Book Trade Association, and not of a Publishers' Association, and that the writer of the letter, speaking as he does, must have been, we should judge, a newspaper and not a book publisher.-ED. PUBLISHERS' WEEKLY.] COMBINATIONS IN THE BOOK TRADE. [The following reply to the communication by Mr. Randolph is by a gentleman who, like the president of the Publishers' Association, unites the publisher, buyer, and author in himself, and therefore speaks from the same three standpoints, and comes to an opposite conciusion.-Eds. Observer.] To the Editors of the N. Y. Observer : I notice with interest the communication of Mr. A. D. F. Randolph, President of the American Book Trade Association, in the Observer of Nov. II. Allow me, as one who claims many years' experience in the observation of the publishing business and some little personal concern therein, to state what I believe to be the fundamental error in Mr. Randolph's views. Passing by your very correct statement that "it is next to impossible to regulate trade by combination," it is perfectly certain that Mr. Randolph's argument is fallacious, because he bases it entirely on the assertion that "the character of the bookselling business makes it a limited one," and that therefore a living profit ought to be secured by combination. There are few classes of business more unlimited. I could easily give you a list |