The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-07-24
In Paper Covers.

The cost of books in England has
led the Athenaeum to suggest that
they be published in paper covers;
at least one prominent publisher has
welcomed the suggestion. Mr.. Huebsch
in this country is now bringing out
books in this form, Public and circu-
latipg libraries may object, although
the large public libraries have their
own binderv, and can more easily
clothe "shivering folios," IL mos and
octayos in the more substantial dress.
For wears in England many books APP
peared in rather flimsy bindings be-
cause collectors would promptly strip
the leaves to have them bound accord
ing to their fancy.
There was years ago an unreason'
able prejudice against paper COW
cred novels" although works of fiction
BIZ leading writers were thus published,
The octavos OF Harper & Brothers
that was then the firm name--were
many and signed by famous names.
George Bernard Shaw's "Cashel By
ron's Profession" was read long before
his name was familiar. There were edl-
tions of the classics in paper Scott,
Dickens, Thackeray, and so through
the list. Some may remember the
Franklin Square library, the Seaside
library. The novels were sold at low
price. As rule they were clearly
printed. Yet the fastidious would have
none of them; not because they object
ed to the cheapness; but to their lofty
minds the word paper was synony'
NOUS with yellow" or the
"Scrofulous French novel
On gray paper with blunt type"
ne IA curious how yellow" a gor-
geous color. when applied to printed
matter still has an obnoxious meaning,
The Yellow Book thus suffered. long
after yellow covered tales of highway
men and revelations of mysteries at
European courts, disappeared from the
book stands.
French books, grave trestises, rec
ords of travel, novels Of high ana low
degree have for years been published
in paper covers, and in this manner
brought into general circulation. Even
editions de luke, richly illustrated,
printed on the finest paper, were Is
sued unbound The purchaser was al
lowed to choose his own binding.
French books are no longer so cheap.
The publishers raise in price Is con-
siderable. and the importer makes no
allowance for the depreciation OF the
franc.
The chief objection TO paper covers
L the inevitable wear and tear, the
loosening of the leaves. II should be
said i'm answer that ninety out of the
one hundred novels published to-day
may be thrown away after one, or a
half. reading without regret except
for the time wasted. The bound vol
lume seldom admits hard usage nor
does il always merit by color and de-
sign an honorable place on the table
| or on the shelf. And here would be
danger il the book were in paper;
the hvsterieal recommendation Of the
novel would keep staring at the read
or. whereas the enthusiastic wrapper
Of the bound volume IS promptly
thrown into the wastebssket.
How light in the hand, how easy
10 read we're the volumes Of the Taueh-
nitz edition with their uniform, simple,
| non.committal paper cover. II a hum
bic lover of Mortimer Collins Fight
with Fortune" wished for a dress
worthy Of that fantasticsl romance,
the size of the volume allowed the
qualification Of fine taste and the dis
piav Of the binders skill. And in the
binding Of Tauchnitz' publication there
was the opportunity for taste in selec-
ton. OF the IL volumes by Mr.. Leon
| ard Merrick. one would choose only
Conrad in Quest OF His Youth for
sumptuous honor Boston Transcript.
- Tho.. Who Must Sit In