Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-02
MAKING AN ENCYCLOPEDIA.
What 1t Costs-The Method Usually EN-
ployed-Pay for Contributions

what 1t Costs-The Method Usually En-
ployed-Pay for Contributions
''How much does it cost to produce an
encyclopaedia" was asked OF an expert,
and he said:
THAT depends upon the method pur-
sued in making it, The American Cyclic
paedia cost 100000 before penny was
realized. The maps and engravings in
the work cost about $4,000 The best
photographers were employed and many OF
the pictures cost hundreds of doli;rrs."
''How is an encyclopaedia made?"
HWell, usually after the method en-
ployed in compiling dictionaries. Editors
are engaged for the different departments.
There is the religious editor, the medical
editor, the historical editor, the scientific
editor and the editor On miscellaneous
subjects. The best authorities in the land
are chosen to edit the work, and large
salaries are paid. In the process of COM
pilation an alphabetical rule is observed.
The old encyclopedias, such as Cham
bers' and Encyclopedia Britannica, are
followed as regards the subjects they
treat of The modern encyclopedia, how
ever, has very much of q newspaper flavor.
1t is based upon the principle of Ameri-
can journalism. 1t is timely and in
tended TO hit the spirit of the age. The
biographies of prominent men are made an
especial feature. The American CyclO-
paedia is the greatest undertaking in the
art of book making ever attempted in this
country. Charles a Dana, of The Sun,
was and IS the editor in chief. He fixes
the prices paid to contributors. He knows
the value of every word that is written.
If an article is handed in by a specialist
and another comes in from an obscure
professional man in any science he chooses
the best
''How much do the constructors to en-
cyclopatlias make?'
Generally we pay magazine rates
that is, so per loo words. Many of
the articles. however, cost far more than
that. There are some contributors who
receive $500 or s. 600 for a short article.
They possess exclusive information, how
ever. DR.. Shrady, who is the authority
on cancer and editor of The Medical
Record, furnished US exclusive Informal
ton on that subject and on many Others
connected with surgery. OF course q
specialist is paid far more than an ordi-
nary writer. Often page costs us $500.
Then, again, we run page after page at
the cost of $50. Many of the writer's are
men who hold the foremost rank in liter
Rture. Consequently they demand large
prices for their work. -
Glow much money is invested in ency-
clop9dias?''
That is a difficult question to answer.
We have run into the millions on sales,
but it should be remembered that ency-
rlopadias are never sold in bulk. The
installment plan is always adopted Our
contributors pay for each volume as it is
issued
I'm case q volume is lost, can it be du-
plicatedy''
THAT depends on who the loser may
be. A regular contributor, one who has
been buying volume after volume for
years can certainly be accommodated.
His name is down on our books, and we
recognize him as a patron of the house.
a genuine set of encyclopedias cost a
great deal of money, about $50 to $500,
consequently they are sold in installments
Rnd the purchaser is protected. New
York Mail and Express.