The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-05-11
The Book Business.

As the thermometer gauges the tempera-
ture of the air, SO the book stores and
public AMI private libraries of any town
or city indicate the intelligence OF the
PEOPLE who compose the place. A
mention of the leading business
houses of Chicago would.be very imper-
feet without short review of the leading
book and publishing house here, which we
are told is that of Jansen, McCiurg u Co.,
Nos. III and l19 State street. Chicago
has one advantage, possessed by all .arge
cities in greater or less degree and that
is, many books
Some of the finest libraries of tie cocn
try have been collected here, among which
are those of L. B. McCagg, Hon. J. n.
Arnold, E. O. Assay, Major Huntington
and others. Having been informed of these
facts vc felt inclined to judge Of effects
from causes, and visited the great book
and publishing house of Jansen, McClurg
& Co. The appearance of the large sales
room as you enter Immediately suggests n
literary atmosphere rather than merely
book store. The beautiful engravings,
paintings and statuary scattered about,
the easy chairs occupied by persons read
ing, the groups of twos and threes you see
conversing, with here and there a single
individual leaning against the rack interest
ed in some book makes one forget that this
is place Of business, and that there are
scores Of persons all around you buying
books-some enc, some dozen and some
by the hundred The clergymen of the
city, the various otlier professional men
and the teachers assemble here often to
examine the latest works, and to compare
notes together One of the features
which seem to bid you welcome is near
the entrance and consists Of a space in
closed by an open iron railing, in which
Me tables ard Stands holding the newest
books, latest magazines and foreign peri
odicals for any one to examine and read
at their leisure and the most inviting easy
chairs and sofas. Giving up this spac
IOI tdDIcSi W ohS anu Cplllioitutt Stdls,
was an original idea OF Gen. McClurg's,
and it has worked so well and become SO
popular that all of the leading book
stores in New York, Boston and other
large cities IN the east and west have done
the same thing.
Here we found one of the secrets of
Chicagos advanced position in literary
taste. This firm has largely contributed
to its cultivation by the means of its graf
ihcation and stimulus for greater desire
Gen. McClurg is a gentleman of culture,
and Il keen critic to detect whatever is
adapted to cultivated tastes. His selcc-
tons in New York by personal inspcc-
ton in addition to the orders from abroad
attest this fact. Then Mr.. f. 3. Smith.
who seems to know every book and every
subject, will tell you just what you may
need if you do not happen to be convers-
ant with any particular subject matter.
Mr., Jansen, tie senior member of the
firm, with his quiet unobtrusIve manner,
has gained the confidence and trade of
more country dealers than any other man
in the book business. With these quail
ticatons and attractions, it is not surpris-
ing that this tirm has built up larger
single center for the book trade than that
OF any other city. Thus, while they have
improved the taste of The people generally,
not only in Chicago, but in the country at
large, they now reap the benefit by rapid
~ increasing sales, and are obliged TO
make constant additions to their accom-
mCdations.
The enterprise and energy which this
house has expended on the new tninth)
edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica
has given this thorough and exhaustive
work popularity in the west that is I'M
preCedentcd, and to- day it is a matter of
pride to them that their list Of subscribers
to this work-supposed to have Il currency
only among wealthy and careful scholars
and among public librarics-is larger than
that of any other book house in America,
not excepting New York or Boston. As
publishers, this house has brought out
many valuable books.
This firm brin; on from New York the
finest line OF rare and choice old import
Cd engrarings, representing the finest gems
of the cngravers and etChers art from
which those who have taste that way may
select such as they wish, at astOnshinglY
low prices. The information they give the
public in the leading papers of the north
west of their carefully digested monthly
list of new books is COmmendable and en-
terprising indeed, and keeps the reading
public well advised regarding the literary
world. We advise all people from our
section of the country to visit this mann
moth book house at any time they may be
in the city, even if they should not wish
to purchase, land see what a literary store
house money and brains have built up IN
the greatest city Of the world-CHICAGo.