The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1867-09-25
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HARPER BROTHERS.

tablishment OF the Iiarpers stands,
James Harper began his work. He
held the lowest position in the Office.
All mean and servile work was put
Upon him. The sons ofjudges, alder
men, lawyers and men of money were
in trade and merchandise around the
printing Office. These pert, we'll
dressed and proud stripplings often
crossed the pathway of the rustic lad.
His shoes were heavy, coarse and un-
calmly. His clothes made from cloth
manufactured in the old homestead,
were rough in material and slovenly
in make. The young bucks delighted
to ridicule James. They would shout
to him across the streat-"Did your
boots come from Paris? "Jim, give
us card to your tailor" "What did
your mother give yard for your
broadcloth ?" Sometimes the rude
fellows came near and under the pre-
tense of the fincness of the cloth
would grab the flesh. Insulting and
taunting as all this was; he bore it fol
a while with meekness. This wascon-
strued into cowardicc.
JAMES FIRST CARD.
The young printer saw that he must
end this treatment, and could only do
it by taking a firm and manly stand.
He had no idea of wealth or position
1t was his purpose to do right-to so
conduct himself that his mother
would not be ashamed of him. All
the success and position that could at
tend fidelity, to duty, he meant to Sc
cure; but he resolved not to BE inn
posed upon. One day while doing
some menial work, he was assaulted
by one of his tormentors. He delibcr-
ately set down the pail he was carry
ing, turned on his assaiIant, booted
him severely, and then said: "Take
that; that's my card; take good care Of
ii. When | am out of my time, and
SET up myself, and you need employ
ment, as you will, come to me, and
bring that card, and | will give you
work." Strange to say, lorty-one
years after, that same person came to
james Harper's establishment and
asked employment, claiming it on the
ground that the "card" he had given
him forty-one yearsbefore he had kept
to that day.
ORIGIN or THE HOUSE.
When James was free, having scrv.
cd out his time, his master said to him
"You have been faithful, and shall
always have a good place in my of
fice." The master was not a little
surprised to hear the young man an
nouncc his intention of setting UP for
himself. Already he said he could
have the printing of a book if he
could get a certificate that he was
worthy of it. If his master would
give him the certificate he could get
job. This was readily given, and the
work begun. In 1917 James and
John Harper opened small book and
job printing office in Dover street.
Evert Duyckinck, the leading pub
Usher of that day, was the first to en-
ploy the Harpers. The first book
published by the firm was Seneca's
Morals, 1000 copies of which were
delivered on the fifth day of August,
1917. The second job was of more
consequence. The book to he printed
was the Episcopal Prayer Book. IT
was to be stereotypcd. That part Of
the craft in those days was in a crude
state, and the work rudcly done. They
had contracted to do the work for
fifty cents a token. They found that
they would have to pay the full sum
to have it stercotyped, and no profit
would be left to themselves. They
resolved to stereotype the work. 1t
was difficult and slow; but it was
done, and gave great satisfaction. 1t
was pronounced the best piece of ste
reotyping ever seen in New York.
The character of the work coming
from this firm, its industry, probity,
promptness and enterprise placed it at
once at the head of the business in New
York. In six years the establishment
became the largest in the city. 10
the original firm, in 1928, the name
of Joseph Westley Harper was added.
In 1925 Fletcher Harper Joined the
firm. These four make the house of
Harper Brothers. The house has now
a worldwide fame. 1t is the largest
of the kind in the world. The great
establishments Of Europe do not COM
bine, as do the Harpers, all the de-
partments of labor needful for the pro-
duction ofa perfect book. European
books are mainly sold in sheet. The
binding itself is carried ON as a distinct
business. 1t has 10 connection with
printing. The Harpers embrace prin-
ting, electrotyping, stereotyping and
binding. A roll of manuscript is
taken from the author, types from the
foundry, side of leather from the
currier, and paper from the manufac-
turer. These leave the establishment
a complete book, printed and illustrat-
ed in the highest style Of art.-Ecen-
ing Gazette. e1
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