New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-09
BOOKSELLERS TRADE SALE.

Sale The number in attendance, though not very
large probably ess than 80 is gathered from all parts
of the country and sutces for the purchase in the
two sales held in the Spring and Autumn, of not less
than 400 600 worth of books. These Trade Sales are
of ancient date and, in the opinion of many eminent
publishers somewhat behind the times yet they have
been regularly increasing in importance since their
CONNIE ncement now about thiry-fve years past. In
January 1922 if we mistake not, was held the first
regular Booksellers Sale in America. Ii was got up
under the auspices Of c. Cumming Of Dublin and
was sold BY Robert McMennomy, auctioneer at the
Tontine Coffee House, corner of Water street and
Cofree-House slip. Subsequently Mr.. Henry Carey, of
PHILADELPHIA publisher and bookseller Of enterprise
and distinction instituted Trade Sale, which may
properly be considered the of the pres
ent system. These auctions were originally limitations
of the English custom, according to which one
more publishers invite the principal booksellers to din
ner toward the end of which they are presented with
list of publications, with prices and terms of credit
TO which in their discretion, they subscribe.
So in the first American Trade Sales those whose
attendance was desired invited aud supplied with
a ticket through which only could admttanee be oh.
tanned This principle of exclusiveness seems TO have
excited considerable dsalecton, at least among the
prohibited and gave rise to action at law for an
eiectment. 1t was, however soon abandoned and the
sales made public Shortly after MIR. Careys sale in
Philadelphia the experiment was again tried in New
York and from that time Trade Sales became one of
the regular means Of selling books to retail dealers.
OF this first REGULAR Trade Sale in New-York, held
June % 1925, have, through the poteness of Mr..
Wood OF of our oldest booksellers, obtained cata'
ogue. Ii is printed single sheet of paper, some
what larger than oOscap, ard occupies little over
two pages containing over i0l different entries, being
about onetweneth OF the number in the Catalogue of
the Book. Publishers Association Trade Sale of last
Autumn, which had 1906 separate entries, or lines,
as they are technically termed, ard was, perhaps the
largest yet issued On the third page of the catalogue
first mentioned, after the list Of books is the auc
TONER'S circular, which reads
"SIR: Herewith hard you a Catalogue of Books,
which shall sell 10 the TRADE ONLY, by auction, ON
Monday, the Goth OF this month. Every Book in the
Catalogue will be sod TO the highest bidder, without
resery sop. In instance will single copy OF any
work be sold more than the number announced. All
the books will be delivered, folded and carefully col.
lated except where otherwise mentioned. Should
any lmperfectous be required it will be necessary
that they should be applied for within three months OF
the day Of sale. Yours respectfully, ..-,,,...
" Nep. York June |, lB25 RUB MCNlfNNoMi'
Then follow the Terms Of Sale, viz:
GAN purchasers below 500, cash; from sl0O to
5000 sixty days credit S2O0 to 500, ninety days;
$500 10 400 four months 800 aud upward, four and
six month"; Approved nGorsed notes dated on the
day Of sale to be given before delivery OF tho books
At the end Of tie catalogue occurs the following
card
1--WE have been Induced to make up the present
Sale By belief that booksellers can replensh their
stock in this with more advantage than they oad
by the us nal system of exchange Ii we ind that
gives general satisfaction to the trade it viii be re-
e a.ed the OF the year, of which due motto.
WI! "s Al liz WOOD SONS. STACY 3. COLLINS
COLLINS Co. CHARLES WlLEI
"WiI5ER CAMPBELL, WELLS ( LILLY,
" RICHARDSON LORD
Several Of TIE above names will be recognized a.
yet connected with the "Irade;' word which is
probably derived from the system that obtains nong
booksellers and which appears to have characterized
the calling from very carly times, of exchanging or
trading publications with each other. Much Of the
obbipg book business is done in this way, preponder-
snces being settled by periodical balances. Most of
the books offered ut the above sale entirely
out of demand nearly all the educational books, Of
which, there Vas fair proportion, being superseded
and all of the miscellaneous literature with few ex
captions, having passed out of memory. This auction
was held at the Bank Coffee House, kept by William
Niblo, on the corner of Pine and William stre,ts.
From tha. tine 10 the present Trade Sales have
Continued to flourish Perhaps no branch of industry
has so uniformly advanced in importance and reputa-
ton as bookseDg in America. At the Spring Trade
Sale Of 1854, Mr.. Hart observed in the course of
farewell address, fully reported in THE TRIBUNE, that
at the time he commenced business, booksellers
note was looked upon by bank officers as little better
than waste paper, but that then the book and
publishing business was established on firm basis,
the commercial character of the profession having kept
pace with the progress of the country. MIR. Hart
Illustrated his position by reference to the prompti.ude
with which booksellers pecuniary engagements had
been met. The same observations hold good at the
pIsseut date. On the 18th August ult., Messrs Geo.
A. Leavitt Co. held about 800 900 of booksellers
notes, which matured that day on the 9Th August
but one note and that Only for $780, remained unpaid
Ths, n a time Of commercial depression, at least
among the Trade more severe than any winch they
have experienced for years is strong confirmation OF
Mr. HATS statement.
The sales have been held at least year. with
out any exception that remember, since 1928, both
in New-York and Philadelphia. They have been
occasionally carried on in Boston, but abandoned ate
short trials. In Cincinnati they appear to be pe.Als
nently established. S G. Hubbard Issues the csta
logue of the thtythird Trade Sale 10 that city, whic
win NpiIutLtc VI TIC --u luob ~ N-iA'
ftty-four contributors of books and nineteen o
stationery The Catalogue occupies ~ pages, Gem
syo., and includes the names Of q large proportion
Eastern publishers.
TIE Trade sale catalogue of NJ. Thomas sor' OF
Philadelphia forms an Svo Of 3Si pages, ard cohlsa'
ll4inyoices, l3 Of which of stationery Inc SAFE
commences on the 2Ist irst In this city the Trace
Sales have been divided between two auction houses
Bangs, Brother & Co. and Geo. A. Lesvitt N 70.
Tie catalogue Of the former firm Ais an svo volume
nf i napes cnmnrisinn LOO different invoices Of books