The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-01-05
Reasons for ~ - &c
~ y ~ Buying Books.

ceny from the the sellers OF BOOKS Inc
other side of the question the viewpoint of the buyer re-
fecd in extensive correspondence which President Rob
G. Cooke of the Grafton Press has bad with book buyers
Y n many States and in Canada and Mexico.
Mr.. Cooke formerly connected with the Appleons
and the Harprs In the Of his affairs he conceived
desire learn from buyers what influences led them to
select particular books in the general line classified
literature, and he began widespread correspondence
looking to this end.
His wish was to have representative popular opinions
his aim the views OF collectors but
learn what influenced the general buyers But he did not
ndsorimnate responses which would he vaees be-
Of ignorance of their he out to bring
himself into certain sort of personal relationship with the
persons whose views he wanted
He turned his university connections selecting from
among the Lehigh graduates who widely scattered
over the country picking personal friends where posi-
bic and in other instances falling back college loyalty
and these be explaining his scheme and asking
them for lists of persons known them in their respective
towns counties who purchasers of books.
He then addressed the latter telling his reasons
for writing and asking them what influences guided them in
their purchases OF current literature AS he did not ask per-
mission OF his correspondent make their views public he
does not feel himself at liberty to publish their Names but
reporter has made extracts from the letters,
captain in the army St Paul Minn wrote; II give
opinion that book reviews in magazines appeal with
more force than announcements of any other character
Display advertisements do impress favoraby
candid review The say so of the librarian
weight aud in much greater degree the announced approval
OF Gladstone Kipling, Lew Wallace etc, but above
all believe my reading determined by the opinions and
expressions of friends much by other combined
Why should the publishers themselves say what they
inslyi"
n a l
am rarely if ever influenced in selections of new publ
cations by display advertisements Sometimes article in
of the reviews particularly il its author we'll known,
inuences me- and quite frequently have made purchases
because of advertisements in reviews, magazines, ETC.
resident of Fort Smelling Mnny said that he had been
largely influenced in his selection OF books by the literary
reviews published in daily newspapers and periodicals OF the
East and West
that he derived his information almost entirely from cata
iosues.
captain of the Third infantry u S. A. writing from
Smell in brisk mill uyo
thinking and judge of books by my impressions regarding
the author. consult the book review column OF
papers. l also receive book catalogues"
The general agent at Denver OF of the great New
York life insurance companies wrote Such books as
have been able purchase from time time books that
have long since decided buy just my finances
enabled to do generally make up my mind
beforehand what want and get it when the time
without regard book agents or or any such
medum."
n rely entirely the advice given by the
in our book department" said the owner of store in
Minneapolis
"My main reliance" said resident of Cambria, Wyo.
Us in periodicals published expressly for the reading
book hunting public My preference select personally
from stock have often made selections from publishers
lists and catalogues with satisfactory results"
lawyer of Pttsburg that far he purchased
and read literature his choice of the books in
Huenced chiefly by intelligent reviews THE
N work by writer of known merit is often suf-
fcient TO induce purchase" he concluded
captain of engineers of the army at St Paul wrote
my book purchases almost exclusively in the line of
tccbnca works and engineering and kindred subjects Most
Of my purchases made after looking carefully the
usually the publishers
to those who have shown that they read such printed
matter. Occasionally book notice in OF the
technical papers which leads a purchase. have local
book dealer but order direct from the publishers,
Minneapolis grain merchant declared himself largely
In the hands of his friends. 81 usually guided in the
selection of books by what hear in conversation with
friends he said if have confidence in the reviewer,
newspaper and magazine reviews have weight with me
He said that he did not take much stock in the lists Of
hooks ordinarily by publishers and booksellers,
adding "Gn my judgment the best and most ef-
fectiye way of getting good book before the public
Of hrst-cl
viewers who have fine of literary and general merit
and who lose the confidence of their readers"
Another Minneapolis in the line of business,
replied that he guided by the general knowledge he had
acquired literature He read reviews and advertisements
in the magazines but little influenced by the local book
sellers.
am governed the selection of books either by the
local press advertisements booksellers wrote St
Paul Il make up annual or semi-annua lists for pur-
chase almost entirely from reviews and magazine adver
tsements adding standard authorities for any special work
we may be doing think IN this day OF study clubs and
classes there growing larger interest in books of refer
and well known literature than in the latest books
formerly"
Fl read great many advertisements in magazines have
friendly booksellers have friends who keep fairly well
posted the reply OF the managing director of -four
mills company OF Minneapolis
Book reviews great help to me in my choice of
reading matter said wholesale grocer of the city
Minneapolis contractor said that he too busy 10
do deal OF reading and coutened himself with hap
hazard book buying the ougrowth chiefly of comments of
chufch writing from St Paul said 81 largely guided
y IN making my selection of books by the reviews which
in various newspapers and periodicals. and also by the
Is instrumentation Of friends whom have confidence"
4 Among replies from Mexico was from who
wrote MY occasional purchases OF books guided
mostly by the literary reviews and criticisms which read
IN the best magazines published in and in
Europe"
merchant of Aguas Galleries, Mexico wrote: Some
times my attention attracted reading by
display advertisements sometimes by the advertising
IN Periodicals books, but probably most often through
y the Recommendations of friends Canadian replies
Y many resident OF Perolia u generally find
the criticisms Hutton sufficient decide the
prrehase of books"
another correspondent said tersely Re-seection oil
hook daily New York papers reviewsyes frequently
o. local bookseller nothing do with the question Il read
% humber of daily and weekly papers, was the reply Of
anoher resident OF the place and the principal OF th