Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-07
THE BOOK OF THE AGE.
The Americanized Edition of the Great
Eucyclopedia Britannica.


Maurice Thompson. the literary editor of the
Independent and still earlier noted for his en-
trancing little volume ON The Witchery Of
Archery" was asked what book, aside from
the Bible, he preferred above all others. He
unhesitatingly replied the Encyclopedia Britain
MICA, and then wrote a charming letter In the
Independent in illustration Of the incalcuaoie
value and magnificent scholarship of that mon
umental work, and the reasons for his very
natural choice.
The first editioniproper Of this encyclopedia
was issued in l776, and now, more than 100 years
after, We again celebrate Americas lndepen-
dence by an Americanized edition OF the ninth
and latest issue of the most wonderful literary
dence is worth noting, viz, that the
firm to whom American readers are
indebted for this exhibition of American
enterprise in adapting this English work more
fully to the needs Of our citizens and to the
advances in American topics treated therein-
the Belford-Clark Compary-are from Chicago,
that point to which the eyes of the world are
now turning in anticipation of Americas
Columbian Exposition, and the assembling
there Of the representatives of the nations OF
the earth.
The question, "Who reads an American
book?" if now addressed to the 63 OOO, 900 Amer
lean citizens Of the United States. would have
70 be answered in manner something like this:
who reads an English book il there Is an
the needs and requirements of Americans n
This is the theory that has led these pub
l1shers to prepare this Americanized Encyclo-
pedia Britannica. It retains in a revised and
amended form all the Encyclopedia Bri-
tannica's magnificent articles on literary,
scientific and historical subjects-artlcles
written by the foremost men of the age, at
cost Of more than s., ,000, 0O0 1t presents a
series of entirely new articles on distinctively
American subjects, which are but lightly
touched in the Britannica. It coudenses within
reasonable limits articles distinctively
British subjects, on which the Britannia is ex-
ceedingly diffuse. 1t contains 1900 biographi-
cal accounts of prominent living men-a
feature which Is totally lacking in the Bri-
tannica. And it presents large number Of
new and beautifully executed maps. including
an entirely new map of each and every State
of The Union. In short. IL is what its name i'm
plies: The Encyclopedia Britannica Ameri-
canized for use In American homes.
1t is published in ten octave volumes, vary
ing as to style OF binding at s35 $40 and S45 per
set. To introduce this edition in Pittsburg the
publishers offer it for 80 days at s30 s36 and S39
and that, to those who so desire, on monthly in
stalments of 81 so. So and So 25, delivering the
complete set at once.
The books are now on exhibition at Hamil-
toms music store, 81 and SO Fifth avenue, where
they will doubtless attract much attention and
secure many purchasers. The best edition OF
the English edition in 25 volumes costs about
$3.50. 1t is no small privilege to possess such
storehouse of literary and scientific worth for
an eighth of its original cost.