The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-15
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
Modern Improvements-The Use of Lithog-
raphy-German and American Work.


Modern Improvements-The Use of Lithog-
raphy-German and American Work.
New York Evening Post.
You want to know something about the
illustrated children's book of the present
day, do your said the manager OF New
York publishing house noted for that kind
of work TO reporter. We'll, let me see,
may say without reservation that never
was there time when SO much money and
care were spent upon children's books as
there are to-day. That statement, after all,
is scarcely necessary, for everybody knows
this to be fact. 1t was about twelve
years ago when the initial steps in imprOv-
ing the quality of makeup and illustra-
ton were begun. At that time colors
were just beginning to be used to advan-
tage. The CHRONIC fever, 1 suppose, was
primarily responsible for the introduction
of cOlOred illustration, but the wretched
daubs in which no fine shading was at
tempted, but color was simply laid on In
blotches, have passed away, never to re-
turn even in the cheapest grades of books.
Very few children's books are now illus
trated in monotint, although in some this
style of illustration is very happily COM
bined with colored plates Engraving has
will probably be surprised when tell you
that nearly all of the best and cheapest
lithographing for children's books is done
across the ocean, In the ancient city
of Wurtenburg. When, we first went into
the business, we had our Autograph
ing done in Holland, but soon found ont
that the Germans were the most proficient.
In fact. it may be said that they stand at
the head of the lithographing. business of
able prices. The Eng ish are good lithog-
raphers, but they have trades union
which allows the presses to run just so
long each year and no longer. This is to
restrict production. and it has had the
of rIN- fa In a
custom. Our house, and guess our other
big concerns which are noted as makers of
childrens' books. have agents stationed in
Germany, to whom are sent the manuscripts
of the illustrations are made by artists
here, and others are secured there"
Are not some of the children's colored
books made entirely in this countryr was
inquired :alYes Init mostly Of the very obeanest
grades. and, speaking accurately, even
they are not entirely made up here. Most
of them are sort OF PATCHWORK, so to
speak. For instance, suppose an English
publisher has job lot of electrotype plates
for illustrations, for which he has no fur
ther use in his business; these are bought
up at low figure by an American pub
Usher, who has a story written for them.
1t is for this reason that you may see now
which have q familiar look, and which,
should you take the trouble to look them
up, you would very likely find had figured
over and over again in different publica-
tions."
But are not American photographers as
competent to do good work as the Ger
mansp
"They say they are, but doubt if they
can do as good work for the same price, al
though there is a duty of % per cent upon
imported autographed illustrations for
books. An American photographer came to
me only the other day, and assured me that
if would but give him trial would stop
importing. Just try me with a manu-
script he begged and l guarantee you
will be satisfied Buy manuscript re-
piled, and illustrate it. If your work is
equal to the imported. and we can get it at
the same price, you can have all our bust
ness l have heard nothing from him
SINCE"
"Are the styles of children's books sub
ject to constant changer
'Yes, to q certain extent. AS an example
of change, the Kate Greenaway style of
illustration, which was 80 popular not long
ago. has entirely gone by, and / don't be-
lieve that artist Is doing any work at all
now. There IS an effort making all the
time to improve the child's book, not SO
much by the introduction of new reading
matter as by putting in more attractive
form the standard stories and rhymes. One
firm got out a child's book last season
take, for it is book which shouldn't i'm
agine parents would be willing to spend so
much money for, or which their children
would appreciate. There are more chill
dren's books published in New York than
in any other city in this country; Boston
comes second, Philadelphia third, Chicago
fourth, and San Francisco poor fifth"