The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-06-28
LIBRARIES FOR SHOW.
The Purchase OF Books by Ignorant
Parvenus.

EdEEOmuSs
A New York Sun reporter interviewed
bookseller with regard to the pur-
chase of books for the mere sake OF
their bindings by ignorant parvenus.
Il have been sent for several times this
year" said the salesman, 'tto measure
the shelves of libraries in new houses.
to find out the number of books re-
quired to fit them up. Books are an
important item in house furnishing.
The comfortable old-time sitting
has made way for the formal library.
AS library without books would
hardly do, house owners are bound
to have them whether they pos
sess literary tastes or not. Besides,
they add tone and color to room. A
customer recently said to me. frankly
enough: I don't pretend to read any
thing except the papers; but there's a
home feeling in having books around ;
they look we'll, too, and sort of encour-
age the children He told me to be
sure and "chuck" in few big ones to
put on the tables Another harmless
fellow, who wanted the reputation of a
man of culture, always directed us to
put in some books that had been used a
little. He once told me that he was
bound to have library as big as his
neighbor's, and whenever the latter or
dered a new stand-up show case he was
going to do the same. Some of these
folks have queer ideas.
One of our customers insisted on
having all his books bound after the
same pattern and numbered. Some
time afterward friend told him that
people were asking if he kept circu-
lating library; so he had morocco Ia
bels stuck on over the figures. But
this only made the matter worse, for
his guests were particular to ask him
what the labels were for. At last, in
sheer desperation, he sent the volumes
to an auct1on-room, and we received his
offer the next day for so many feet of
books, each one differently bound. He
wouldn't have even a two-volume edi-
tion of anything. A wealthy man once
sent in great haste for dealer, saying
that he wanted his library closed
out Immediately and new one
bought. He was speculator in
produce, but some one had sold
him law library. He liked the uni
form appearance of the volumes, and
had made the purchase without read n9
the titles. His new books were to be
illustrated, all of them. When I first
went into the business was surprised
to see at customers house an extrava-
gantly- y-bound copy of Shakespeare's
works in the German language. knew
the man did not understand German
and the circumstance puzzled me. ]
found out afterward that bookseller
had loaded him up with very I'M
salable article by telling him that
every gentlemen ought to have copy
of Shakespeare's works in the original
''No; house furnishers do not otter
buy the books for d library, but they
frequently give directions as to binding
They look for light, elegant, and we'll
contrasted colors, or for heavy antique
morocco or Russia bindings suited to
the character of the room. AS a rule
the owner OF the house thinks himself
competent to buy his own books, though
he seeks aid from us in making hi
choice. I once picked out handsome
assortment for a customer about to re
furnish his house. He had M
acquaintance with books; but ht
looked over the titles and mad,
some rather interesting expur
cations He told me to put all of tht
standard 'thorities in anyway, and h'
would attend to the rest. He threw ou
In the Meshes' he supposed tt
be book on fishing he wa
no angler. 'Boswell's Life of Johnson
was rejected because he didn't want po
litical campaign works: and wouldn'
have the biographies of the presidents
they all lied SO. These men do no
bother us much, for they are easily sat
isfed; but what do you think of q gen
t1eman who refuses to pay his bill be
cause you have left out the dictionar,
the most important work ofall-fron
a complete edition of Daniel Webster
works."