The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-15
AUTOGRAPH FIENDS.
Developing New Enterprise-suyinc up HO-
tel Registers in the South.

savannah NeWS.
What do you suppose that man wanted"
asked Pulaski House clerk of News reporter.
A neatly dressed and shrewd looking young
man had just turned away and was lighting a
cigar He had been talking earnestly in an
undertone for some minutes, and the News man
thought perhaps the stranger wanted to borrow
a few dollars
"No, he does not want to borrow, bat had
rather buy" replied he of the sparkling Kohl
moor. And you might guess your teeth loose
before guessing what he wants TO buy" con-
tinued the hotel clerk. "He has Just made me
offer for the old registers of this house
"What would he do with theme Keep di-
rectory!' inquired the reporter
Not much. He claims to be travelling for
Northern firm that is collecting hotel registers
The oder they the more they are worth.
Hotel registers are the greatest autograph
albums in the world. There is not a man
who travels whose autograph is not scattered
all over the country. All prominent men
travel. The signatures of hundreds of these
have a commercial value, even when not attached
to note or check. The autographs of states
men generally sell the highest, those of ex
Presidents bringing the most. A few days ago
a rare collection of curious manuscripts, letters
and autographs were under the hammer in New
York. dozen autographs were Knocked down
at from So to $50 apiece.
That would be purchaser was telling me that
in few months il will be the proper thing to
mount the autographs of eX Presidents, literary
men, generals and all men of note in some
unique style and give them place beside the
plaque. This frrn is now buying up all the reg
listers it can get hold of. Some bright men
60 over each page carefully, and cut out
the signatures of all the most prominent men.
They have quite a long list, and whenever one
Of the names is found, it is clipped out and at
tached to little slip which are noted the date
and city. The register. Of course, indicates
each. He says that right Grants signatures
are in demand. He never stopped at hotels much,
however. There were generally people in all of
the cities through which he passed who wanted
to entertain him, and never knew him to de-
cline.
"Ths enterprising firm. you see, are first
getting supply on hand and will then intro
duce the rage and fill the demand"
"'Thrift is blessing'-Shaksp eare." gasped
the reporter, dazed by the wonderful display of
enterprise
1.-THE registers are really no use to u.s. and
most hotel men, believe, are willing to dispose
of them at low figure" resumed the clerk
'One OF this size, which is the standard, will
hold 5000 names. 1t is seldom that a register
in the large hotels of big cities does not contain
half dozen good names know that from
personal observation. In some seasons there
are 100 good names A great manv of the
signatures, to be sure, were written before the
graphs come to be sold. however | half suspect
they are dated up, though they may not be-
The residence, which is written opposite the
name, is also cut out In mounting which is
generally cardboard Bristol, or some other
kind, the residence is placed below the name
thus: