The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12
TWENTY PER CENT. OFF
The Discount on Books-origin and
Growth OF the Custom.


Growth OF the Custom.
In conversation with reporter of the
Ero'ing Post the other day, member OF
large publishing and bookselling house re-
marked: "The 20 per cent. discount on
books has become universal now in the re-
tail book stores of New York, and IL has
undoubtedly come to stay. 1t is little
curious, but II is true" he added, 'that
this state OF affairs had its origin in the
discounts which publishers allowed to
clergymen and teachers. Preachers and
pedagogues were not satisfied with getting
their own literature at reduced rate, but
introduced their sisters, cousins, aunts and
proteges to the publishers as applicants
for like favor. In this way the
circle Of semi.deadheads widened until
tho possibilities OF discount on books be-
came generally known, and everybody who
wanted volume began to maneuver in the
wake OF clerical or pedagogic cloth. The
movement was succ essful, for most of the
publishers now sell at retail, with n 20 per
cent discount from the publication price
TO anybody who comes in to buy. Tho
demand for cheap books thus created
found an abundant source of supply in the
piratical publishers, who prcying on pop
ular English writers, paying nothing for
their literary material, were able 20 pro-
duce books OF an inferior quality las re-
CARDS externalsl at n very low figure. As
soon rs this business got into full blast tho
pirates were furnished with excellent Gus.
Ia. Nl.
Nanamaker's in Philadelphial, where
book departments were opened. In these
the proprietors were content to make an
inhnitesimal profit ON n book, relying
upon selling great numbers, or at least
npon the usefulness OF tho book depart
ment in attracting people 10 their places.
IL would not DO 80 bad il the pro.
prietors were oil perfectly square
and honest in their advertisements, but
they are not For instance, some of them
advertise this has actually happenedl
Wcbsier's Unabridged Dictionary for 81.
They have, perhaps, n copy which was
sent by tho publishers 10 some literary
man, who, being already supplied with
dictionaries, sold IL fOg s. or 81. The pub.
lie is not told how the stores came by
few OF these cheap volumes, and the Inn
preston is iudelibly imprinted upon its
mind that Websler's Unabridged can DO
sold for less than s., and that cent moro
Is an extortion. Now, the dictionary costs
us that and more, according to the bind
ing, when we buy Il by the hundred, and
II can not be obtained from tho publishers
by any purchaser for a cent less. The reg.
ular retail price is $40 and $40.
"Among the cheap books with which
piratical publishers have flooded the mar.
ket | include the l0c, Toe and 20c paper
back books in tho so-callcd libraries. No
copyrighted book can bo decently put be-
fore the public In paper cover for less than
90 cents. Many Of our leading publishers
issue popular copyrighted novels in good
form at that price, and that Is as chcaply
rs they eau profltably do II. Tho pirates
aud the dry goods booksellers, between
them, have almost ruined the book trade.
Where we formerly sold forty copies Of q
popular book We now sell one. This house
was the last TO succumb TO the 20 per cent.
discount rule. but upon our moving from
down town, aud finding that an important
ncighbor had Just given in, there was
nothing else left iOr Us to do.
''Thc trade has held several conferences
with a view TO deyising some remedy for
the existing state Of affairs, but the case
seems 30 hopeless one that nothing has
been accomplished. Some relief would
come from the adoption Of AN International
copyright law, as then the pirates. who
are 10 much at the bottom OF tho mischief,
would he chokcd of TO a great extent,
though not entirely. This view and hope
have had about as much 10 do M anything
else with making limt.class publishers and
booksellers In this country practically a
unit In favor Of International law.
But the publishers have themselves
chiefly 30 thank for what has come about,
aud fear that their original discount 10
ministers and teachers was largely tho of.
spring Of selfish motives, their expectation
being that tho implied reverence for the
church and appreciation Of the school
would nightly commend them 10 the
favor Of all good people. They have re-
coiyed a meet reward"