Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-06
A PROFITABLE BUSINESS.
How Money Can be Made by Saving
Old Newspapers
New Haven News

OIu newspapers.
New Haven News
Having occasion the other day to
search for some copies of daily news
papers of a certain date in 1875, was
not a little surprised to find that at the
office of the newspapers could buy
no copies.
Not one of the great dailies could
furnish a copy of the date which I
needed, but | was referred in every
case to man named Robert Budd,
formerly q bootblack, who makes s
business of dealing in back numbers
of newspapers. found him, and in
half an hour [ had the newspapers.
Budd's history, Or rather that of his
business, is peculiar. He is a coal
black negro, with an intelligent face,
and remarkable faculty for estimat-
ing the value of his wares. Although
he has regular price list, his prices
vary according to what be thinks may
DC the value of the paper to the would
be buyer.
Some months ago there was a law
case which required the presentment
in court either of certain newspaper
or certified copy of an article covering
several pages of small type. Budd
was the only man in the city who
could furnish the paper; he asked 800
for it. although it was not ten years
old, and had originally cost him but
2 cents, and the sum was paid, for the
certified copy would have cost still
more.
Five years ago Budd had a boot
blacking stand on Broadway near
Thirtieth street, and at the same time
sold newspapers. He was struck with
the huber of demands made upon him
for copies of newspapers two or three
days, or week, or even a month old,
and he formed the idea of adding to
his business that of old newspapers.
That there is a demand for old
is amply shown by the
business he has built up. At present
he occupies large cellar, the walls of
which are lined with newspapers tied
up IN bundles, each bundle contain
ing the copies for one month of each
paper. There is tag attached te each
bundle giving the month and year.
AS ne still keeps up his newspaper
stand he of course gets his papers at
cost price, and when a person really
wants a paper there is chance for
profit. Every day Budd puts away
twenty copies each of the III erald, and
The Sun, ten copies of the World,
Times. and Tribune each, and five
copies each of the evening newspa-
perS.
His schedule of prices IS supposed
to be as follows: For papers three
days old, double the price, for papers
a week old 10 cents; for papers a
month old, % cents; for papers year
old, ST; for papers more than a year
old $1.25 additional for every year.
But, as said before, this schedule is
no guide in case Budd discovers that
the paper is of great importance.
Soon after he began business, he
bought up complete files Of several
newspapers running back Ia some
cases to 1850. That he finds the busi>
ness IL profitable one may be inferred
from his ability to keep two assls~
tants at work.
The number Of persons who wish to
buy back copies Of the newspapers is
larger than most people might sup.
pose; in the course Of half an hour
during which / searched through an
old file. five persons car1e into Budd's
place and bought papers varying
in agefrom two days to six years.