The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1866-11-08
A Literary Emporium.

A Literary Emporium.
From the davenport Daily Gazette, Oct ~
Those who look for evidences Of the
prosperity and growth of Davenport in
the rapidly increasing number Of sub
stantial edlfices and elegant residences
on every hand adding to the wealth and
beauty Of our city, or in the develop
ment Of Its manufacturing interest, or In
the increase Of Its trade with the sur
rounding country, or In Its energetic
and thrifty population, or in all these
combined-will fail to see the most pleas
ing and satisfactory proof of real progress
unless they examine farther and with
more Observant vision. 1t is, indeed, en-
couraging to note the multiplying assur-
ances that Davenport in making . solid
sud healthy nrogress In material wealth
are r tn the lind indisp1table ns proofs that m n ID
Of generous culture which demands
and supports good public schools, col
leges and literary organizations, has An
almost Unsuitable desire for the choicest
productions Of intellect and genius, aud
freely exchanges sordid cash for the
gems of Literature and Art.
Just such proofs must arrest the atten-
tion and compel the admiration of who
ever will step into the center store room
in the really splendid structure Just COM
pleted on Brady street, and known a.
"Viele's Block" In this fine store
room, Davenport now has, thanks to
the taste and enterprise Of Mr.. Charles
Plummer, melted and rewarded by the
increacing refinement and culture OF our
citizens-a literary emporium which for
completeness and elegance In all its ap-
pointment Is, It Ia safe to say, unequsli-
ed west Of the Lakes, and in several i'm
portant particulars without rival even
In New York or Boston. This may seem
to be exaggeratiOn to those who have
not examined the leading bookstores of
the Eastern cities and compared these
with that of which we write but will
not be 80 regarded by those who have
made the comparison for themselves
The simple fact IL that In fitting up this
chaste and elegant establisment-to be q
very temple Of Literature aud Art when
entirely completed. Mr.. Plumner has
spared neither effort nor expense to
place the "Iowa Book Rooms" aud
Davenport In the front rank as liter
ary depository. A few descriptive facts
will give our readers some idea Of these
efforts and their success.
On entering the door the visitor faces
q beautifully designed counter, OF solid
black walnut; top and front, with futed
pilasters of the same material; the whole
being fitted and smoothed in the best
possible style and oiled. On this Is to be
placed, as soon as its manufacture, In
Chicago, Is completed, one of the most
beautiful show cases ever brought west
of Chicago. From this front counter,
~, nj how ,iln - rofohx,c t1,i ~ tsao foot
of solid black walnut counter, surmoun-
ted by large show cases, of silver plated
frames and plate glass, and fitted with
spacious drawers which, by au admirable
arrangement, can be drawn out on either
front or the inside of the counter. On
the north side Of tho store room, and
against the wall, is placed Il row of shelv-
ing, book alcoves, &c, making n total
length of ninety feet. The front end of
this extent is occupied by n library cab
met, enclosed in four elegant glass doors,
with black walnut frames and French
plate glass, and having underneath
twelve walnut faced drawers, with
carved walnut handles made to order in
Boston. Beyond this, toward the back
of the roomare fifteen book alcoves, each
three feet in width; broad black wal
nut counter shelf separating these from
alcoves beneath which are so constructed
rs to admit Of the fitting on of panel
doors when needed. Still further be-
yond these are ranged tiers Of diamond
shaped recesses, seventy in number, for
the holding and exhibition of wall pa
per The whole cabinet, alcoves and re-
cesses- is surmounted by tastefully
designed cornice Of solid black walnut,
cnlivened throughout its entire length
of ninty feet by one moulding of chest
nut, made in Boston to order, ~ was the
entire cornicc; while the standards Of the
shelves are stripped with white walnut
SO fastened with screws as to allow the
removal and adjustment Of the shelves,
ut pleasure.
The front end Of the south side tier of
alcoves and shelving, is occupied by q
large case, also of black walnut, the
four doors of which, fitted with French
the floor. This is primarily designed
for the exhibition Of paintings and en-
cravings, but is now, In the pressure for
room to store the imlnese stock of goods,
temporarily fitted up with shelving
Beyond this Is tier Of ten alcoves, each
four feet in width, and divided iaterally
by black walnut counter shelf The
whole of this south side tier-a total
length of fifty feet-is also surmounted
by walnut and chesnut cornice, the
same as is the other side.
The deeply recessed windows of this
splendid store room, with their panes OF
glass measuring 4Sx30 inches, deserve a
passing notice. Here will be displayed,
ere long, specimeds OF engraver's and
painters skill that will attract and In
terest the passer by.
We can not now give space to even a
slight attempt at an enumeration Of the
pile upon pile of yolumes-historica
biographical, religious, poetic, that
crowd the shelves and load the counters
on every hand much less to describe
the wonders Of illustrated tones bound
In embossed morocco and edged with
gold, or the mysteries of brilliant letter
type and tinted pages, here inviting ex-
animation and purchase. We can only
say that even those who admire and
wonder at the great variety of Plummer's
literery store last Christmas and New
Years will be astonished when the mar.
vels of this years stock are fully reveal
ed.
| The school book and stationery de.