New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-29

now sell for 275 francs the books bearing the
publishers printed price OF $50 francs, and for
books OF other prices reduction to the pub
lie is made IN the same proportion.
This reduction, however. does not apply to
books sold at the newsstands In the railroad
stations The railways in France under
Government control and the right to sell books
and newspapers at the stations and the
trains is farlned out for periods Of three or five
years TO the highest bidder, ono Of the con-
ditons Of the contract being that all books
posed for sale must be offered at their marked
price. and any agent selling books on the rail-
way lines or ir stations cheaper OF dearer than
the marked price is Liable TO severe penalties.
The publishing house of Hachette has for the last
twenty years purchased the railway bookstalls
and has constantly renewed its contracts, and
this alone is one of the most important branches
of business OF the firm. for, by the terms OF the
agreement with the Government. the number
of railway stands which II supplies with news
papers and books is twenty-five thousand.
THE PASSION FOR PAPER COVERS.
The parcr covers, which, in delicate yellow
pale blue subdued green, white, rich cream
colors came into existence With the cheap popu
lar editions which sixty years ago revolutionzed
the French book trade are to-day more in
vogue than ever before Repeated attempts
have been made to replace paper with cardboard
leather. but the French reading public has
never failed to resent vigorously any interfer-
encc with the familiar paper covers which have
at last attained the dignity Of a national inst-
tuition. The writer recently asked some Of the
leading Paris publishers to explain why paper
covers retain such firm hold in popular favor.
NJ Eugene Fasquelle. the head Of the publishing
firm Of Charpentier & Fasquelle said
There are two categories Of French readers
those who buy books 70 read. but not 10 keep,
and the more limited class who make selections
OF the books they purchase in the course OK
year. and finally have them bound and place
them In their libraries Both OF theS" classes
prefer paper covers. Paper covers are cheap,
light. and can easily be placed in ones pool et.
The title and name OF the author appear on them
more distinctly than would be the case with
leather cardboard covers. one hesitates TO
give away volume bound in leather or card
board. but with a paper book II Is DIFF
ferent Paper covers thus forcitly appeal 10 the
transient book consumer. while French readers
who gather together even the most insignificant
OF libraries Invariably send their books TO
their own bookbinders to be bound according TO
their own Individual taste. with their own ini-
tials coats II arms, and in the colors and
material adopted for their own bo1kshelves.
Ninety nine out Of hundred FreLchmen or
Frcnchwomcn who AXE the pains 10 form small
libraries 4 their own would bitterly resent rs
an unca,lcd-fUr intrusion any attempt Of the
publishing houses To- fore" Them 70 accept any
particular style or description NJ bOokbndng.
The result Is that every attempt to Supplant
the paper covers has been an ignominious fall
ure FOR thcs, cheap paper covers in every re-
spcct satisfy the wants " the community.
NJ Adolph Nourrit one OF the three partners
OF the publishing firm OF Plon. Nourrit & Co,
says that although the public demand for
paper covers is steadily increasing. there is a
slight tendency IN the case OF medical books
70 60 back to the bristolhoard calf covers.
but that this tendency is strictly limited to
trcatiscs Of reference which have to sustain
daily wear and tear"
THE FRENCH EDITION"
The true inwardness OF the French edition"
frequently puzzles the purchaser Of French
books FOR OF the covers Of somewhat insignia
cant works one often reads the words. Fiji
"T,yoptv-pipth Edition ~