The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-23
BOOK AGENTS. DUPES
PAID OUT 100000
Eleven Publishers Of "Limited
Editions" to Be Arraigned
Here Tomorrow.
BAIT WAS BIG "PROFITS"
Wealthy but CredulOus Men and
Women Parted with
Vast Sums.
BAIT WAS BIG "PROFITs"


authors to credulous but unskilful book
lovers
Men Of wealth, yearnins for libraries
OF de luxe or limited editions with colored
Illustrations, have been led to nay enor-
nous prices for books which they could
nave bought at reliable booksellers for
onc-third or sometimes one-tenth OF the
price actually charged.
omen OF wealth, eager to make more
money quickly, have been led to invest
their money in books with extravagant
bindings In the belief that within a short
time they would be able to resell the
books at a tremendous profit.
The methods by which ornate editions
supposed to be rare and valuable, were
disposed Of to cresulous bookworms may
he divided into two cdasse. In One in
stance the mails have been used in per-
suad:ng men and women to buy books
at extravagantly high prices and as a
result many indictments have been re-
turned by Federal Grand Juries against
men who are accused OF using the mails
10 defraud.
In the second instance wealthy patrons
OF literature have paid high prices for
hooks on the assumption that they were
getting limited editions. The result has
been that many suits have been filed in
this and other cities.
Eleven to Plead Tomorrow.
In this city alone eleven defendants
n criminal suits will he called Tomorrow
IN the Criminal Branch of the Federal
Court TO plead to indictments charging
them with using the mails to defraud.
the trial OF the cases either next month
Or early in April. and details OF the
schemes said tn have been employed will
be brought out.
The group of men who are under
criminal charges Is headed by James
J Farmer. president of the Anglo Ameri-
can Authors Association, OF :25 Fifth
avenue Among the other men under
charges are his son, Glen Farmer Samuel
II. Scott and Col William }. Hartley of
the New York Athletic Club.
Victims Of the book dealing schemes
In different parts OF the country have
written to the United States Attorney
telling of their losses and their expert
ences with book agents. Among them are
Mrs. Sophia Curtis OF Great Darlington.
Mass. who paid 100000 for books II.
c. Livingston OF Saratoga Springs and
Elliott G. Leo Of Brokoline, Mass. who
paid out 100000 each; Mrs. J. Howard
King OF New York. Mrs Elizabeth Moore
Of Greensburg. Pa. Alexan Sellers Of
Philadelphia and Mrs. Henry J.. Durant
o. Boston, 100000 each; Mrs. j. Frede-
rick Rodgers of Boston, $4,000: Mss
Brooks Of ST. Johnsbury, w.; Edith r.
Bartlett of Fall River. Mass; A. u.
Chase Of Portland. Me-. and r. a. Stearns
Of Pawtucket. X. l.. $4,000 each.
Another victim Is Mrs. Emma Bird OF
salt Lake City, Utah. who furnished the
evidence on which the Federal authori-
ties brought their first charges against
Farmer and his associates. Mrs. James
4 Patten. wife Of the famous Chicago
speculator. is said to have lost $4,000
BY specializing in books.
Farmer and his associates maintained
luxurious Offices In this city. They had
agents in different cities in the country
They maintained "a European agency, at
the head OF which was for time sup
posed countess who sold books not only
20 foreigners but on various occasions
turned a profitable deal by making n trip
10 this country to see prospective costum-
ers whom other agents had developed
almost to the. purchasing point
The method which Farmer. or persons
working for him, Is said to have em-
ployed was first to buy sets OF books from
Publishing arm. hire an artist TO make
special illustrations for the books and
Aave them bound ornately. In many in
STANCES they simply bought elaborate edi-
tons and rebound them.
Agents Of the group managed TO get In
PRODUCTIONS to man or woman OF wealth
The agent usually posed as n literary man
millionaire book lover who was plan
ming to buy library.
shows Victims Were Led On.
The agent would propose that the VIC
ON put up the money with which TO buy
Che books. This method IL shown In let
Ter which Assistant United States Attor-
ney Boyle has In his possession. II was
written by an agent to James J. Farmer
and addressed Dear jim" 1t says
II wish you would write me a letter
which can show to prospective custom
ers saying this library which you say
VIII cost cost me $4,000 will cost me
100000. I wish you would put 1t in a
very respectful manner. You know what
] want better than ] can tell you II
you can, make me president or vice.
president 1t might help some"
Post ONCE inspectors tell Of bit Of
strategy TO which Farmer Is said to have
Escorted 10 deceive 4 wealthy Pennsyi-
wanna woman, Mrs. Stackpole.
When Mrs. Stackpole became FESTIVE
over the appearance OF the wealthy
hlbliophile Farmer went to Harrisburg.
bought u pair Of crutches and. swathed
In bsndages. appeared at Mrs. stackpole's
cdert In which the prospective pur-
chaser WAS killed and in which he him
self barely escaped with his life.
GOV toOsOOO Su08aeots
A Judgment in Federal civil court
VAS obtained against James j. Farmer
by Mrs Emma Bird of Salt Lake City.
She bought books for something like 345.-
900 which were valued by experts at
$500. She got verdict for $4,000.
George n. Barrie Il Son Of Philadelphia
ngure In a number of civil suits that
nave been started by Boston. New York
ard Philadelphia men and women TO
Recover large amounts Of money which
they paid for 'linited editions"
Among the persons who were enthusiasts
dc In paying ten and twelve times more
for books than the books were worth IL
Macy Willets, son OF Howard Willets
o. this city, who got verdict OF $685.
300 against George N. Barrie 4 Son when
they brought suit for the payment Of
notes which ne had given. He II said
% have bought books sggreGating mar
bet price" VI more than 100000.
Aaron v. Frost. Jr.. son Of the SEQ
fetary Of Black. Starr . Frost jewellers.
paid $4,000 tor books giving $4,000
pr a set Of DalsAc. for which Wiliets
paid $4,000. Mrs.. Mary L. Rogers Of
Boston. who also has started suit against
Barrie i Son. says she paid ls5.tbo for
looks worth 5000. while Marion W..
seston Of Boston, VITO has started suit
hsainst the ssms nrIn. the Anglo Ameri-
IN Authors Association. James J. Farmer