New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-06
whether an expert could distinguish between

wbotb.r an expert could distinguish between
the two.
Mr. George Allen. who now halls from Charihs
Cross Road in London. instead Of Orpington' H.
naturally a arge-paper man. once 'he III
gen!ous used to look upon Mr. George Alien as
a Ruskin enthusiast who Tor love oi NV
Master transacted the Masters business VII"
printers and sellers of books. and with the pup
lie Gradually the ingenious buyer came |"
norceivc that he was allowed to pay Mr.. Allen
large prices for his enthusiasm. and mat uh'e'
his superintendence. Mr.. Ruskins WORKS were
issued in more and more expensive forms Nay
the reissues Of the Modern Painters ana 'ne
Stones Of Venice raised question OF soou
faith Mr. Ruskin's explicit pledge against re-
nrintinr seemed in at least one instance to be
violated. The profits of the reissue WERE "o"
over large. In a commercial age that may be
held sufficient justification; oddly as II COLI
nicts with some of Mr. Ruskins theories OF
honesty
Mr.. Aliens publications now include otner
works than those of the great writer with whom
he has been so long identified. Sponsors "Faelle
Oueene" is one The editor Of the new edit.'
is Mr. Wise who keeps up a connection with lAe
old shop by describing himself-or perhaps MI
Allen describes him-as Compiler of the kusNih
Bibiiography The new Spenser Is issued III
parts Ike the illustrated Bibles and ohahe-
speares which sold down areas 10 servant
girls by canvassers who know now 10 USE
caiolerv first and threats afterward me Nine
teen Parts Of the new Spenser cost half guinea
each 50 30. on common paper. ON Japanese
vellum" they are % shings each or 30 20 El'her
way. when you multiply the price per part D!
nineteen Il comes to a considerable inquire iheie
are full-page illustrations. canto meanings anu
tailpicces by the Socialistic professor oil iiuS'd
tive ART Mr. Waiter Crane Mr.. Allen omits 10
say by what process these illustrations are p'o-
duced Are they also photogravures'
The dignity Of an edition de luxe is oestoweu
IN The sticket Minister by Mr.. s r.
Crockett: a work written for the most part IN
the Scotch tongue and ineligible to the Scot
nresume II not to the Briton or American or
this there are TO be no less than $50 copies at 20
n niece If this do not satisfy the enthusiast ne
may have his choice Of five copies on Japan
naner at s25 each. with a PhotOgravure FRONTS
niece Where is the man who told MS DOCK
seller that he wanted either the Surkei MIN
lister by Crockett or the Crockett Minister ny
Sticket he was not sure which? Let MN puE
japanese copy at s25 and learn to be more re-
spectful Or if you wish to plunge su' deeper
into the unknown you may fish up one OF 10
copies on large paper royal Svo.' with Proofs d.
nortraits on India paper at s. OF THE Memoirs
~ Nrs Rohinson"-not Brown nor Jones. but
Robinson With which think We viii stop.
Another solution Of the large-paper difficulty
has been found by two publishers who once
formed a single firm. Mr.. Elkns Mathews ana
Mr. John Lane They issue all their books on
what may be technically called large paper
That is to say they issue small editions all
printed on some special paper the hummer ~
them limited. and as rule, no second EDITION
Tho cynical critic may say that some OF the
writer's who find publisher In Mr.. Mathews Vt
Mr. Lane are fortunate to attain to even one
edition and that strictly limited. But let us have
nothing TO say 20 the cync / think. on the con-
trarv that the world of young authors with as
pirations toward literature may he thankfnl
that here and there comes forth publisher with
a taste for adventure.
Mr. Lane and Mr. Mathews have shown "A
confidence in their own judgment. and Will
ingness to back tn FIR own opinion. not universal
in the publishing world or any other. they nave
been rewarded as the gold-seeker is rewarded.
by occasional nuggets. They or perhaps the
authors for whom they publish. have TASTE IN
titles which catch the public ear-ttles whch
stimulate and do not satisfy the curiosity OF the
buyer. SIch are "Renunciations. by Mr.. fTed-
erck Wedmore: "keynotes, followed by DIS
cords" from the pen Of the writer VINO chooses
TO be known as George Egerton. AND there are
many mere Now the experienced bookseller
will tell you that title and binding have as
much to co with the selling Of book as Inc
contents He may or may not he right But
they have something. and there are people u
whom there Is always charm III a Hii'ed
edition For these and other good reasons. THESE
two publishers. though they could not get on
with each other seem to get on very well win
the public. !" W. :"