The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-28
BOSTON'S
EXHIBIT OF
BEST BOOKS

- Nv thought Of the book shops and
stalls OF London Conjures up a
picture Of duslty old corners. OF
dim old streets where ono drops in for a
moment to handle tcnderly some loved.
inaccessible volume or for an hour to pore
over the newest find In the world of
literature and gossip a while with the
pleasant old Shupkc, per, where one al
ways meets some congeuial soul with
whom to chat and where. occasionally
even. one rubs elbows with one Of the
lmmortals LOYAL as We are, We must
admit that there arc none like them on
this side Of tho water. But
over in Boston. tho city Of dim old
streets. with dusky old corners. they have
had an exhibition "f the Better Books Of
The Year" this last month which In in
tcrcst and atmosphere" was worthy
rival for these Old World places. only in
this case II was all brand new. They got
away from old Cornhil and carried out
this new idea i'm new building on n
new street. and unlike most exhibitions,
u was not an AFFAIR where u stin line OF
people moved mechanically under cold
high lights. In fact. it really wasn't an
exhibition at all 1t was a salon where
one dropped in to loitcr among rare
volumes and chat with ones friends and
often rub elbows with an immortal who
was very glad 10 gossip aud chat with
one. hut let's begin at the beginning.
The Publishers Cooper atvc Bureau ar
ranged the exhibition at which nearly all
" the leading New York and Boston
publishers were represented. and tho
Paine Furniture Company gave over one
or tho artistic and spacious rooms in its
new building for the purpose. II Is
great advantage to be able to see hooks
N their proper setting. and realizing this.
the Bureau was glad to accept the offer
NJ the Paine Company TO use its rugs.
lamps and furniture.
Every type of book was displayed in the
soft light Of low hanging lamps. or rat
not "displayed' just left on the tables
for one to pick up at will from ex-
puiste hand made volumes to the popular
novels of the season. The only books not
easily accessible were certain OF the de
luxe bindings which of necessity were
kept in glass cases. but much of the
charm Of the whole affair lay in the fact
that every one was welcome to drop into
the comfortable chairs and spend AS much
time as he pleased over the tempting
array Of publications
In one corner a binder from the River
aide Press sat at his bench worAng on
delicate leather volume. explaining to
those interested the details which go to
the making Of rare editions: ON a table
popular novel was shown. from the
hrst rough manuscript through every
stage in It's development to the finished
product. The walls were hung with origi-
nal illustrations Gibson. Christy,
Fisher. Flagg, Anton Fischer Crosby
were only a few of the familiar signatures
scrawled In the corners of the drawings
The management arranged for special
days. Every Thursday was authors day.
and among those who gave short talks
were Judge Henry A. Shute. Miss Abbie
Farwell Brown. Mrs Josephine Preston
Peabody Marks. DR. Edmund Won Mach.
Miss Mary Caroline Crawford. Or. Abra-
nam NJ Rihbany, DR.. A. W. II. Eaton
and many others. Saturday mornings
were the children's hours. and they were
much entertained and amused By Dallas
Lore Sharp and Thornton Burgess. who
read to them, and by Clifford l.. Sher-
man, who drew some clever pictures from
his dot Book" There was teachers
day an actors day. and the last Mon
day was musical aft, moon. at which
several of thu authors who are doubly
endowed gave much pleasure to the au-
dlence. So that the management is deserv-
ing of much praise for the diversified and
extremely pleasant occasions planned
The exhibition was for the purpose OF
creating wider interest in books. and
Judging from the attendance, which ran
Wen up into the thousands. they have
been successful. In recent Christmas
issue of popular magazine list Of
hundreds Of suggestions for Christmas
gifts was printed. And IN the whole list
not one book was suggested. However.
the Boston exhibit was "a reminder of the
fact that there are few gifts more ac-
ceptaole than thoughtfully chosen and
appropriate book.