Search Results: Salesman's Samples from Quercus Rare Books

Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Publishing, 1889. In one of the most fascinating murder cases of the 19th Century, Dr. Patrick Henry Cronin (1846-1889) an Irish-American activist was abducted and assassinated, presumably by members or agents of the Clann-na-Gael. The premier source for our knowledge today is the work of the "Noted Journalist" Henry M. Hunt, whose book was published by H.L. & D.H. Kochersperger in 1889. Offered here is a SALESMAN'S SAMPLE for Hunt's book, which contains partial chapters of the eventual publication. The Title Page is the same as the First Edition except "Pennsylvania Publishing" was removed. In the rear are 3 pages with numerous "Comments of the Press" and 16 pages ruled to enter Subscriber's names. Quercus notes that the salesman was notably unsuccessful, as no subscribers appear. The publisher advertises that the book will be "about 475 pages." It is likely that Hunt had not completed his manuscript, as the eventual… Read More

Chicago: Clarkson & Cooper Company, 1904. This salesman's sample book contains "Startling stories of the war as told by the heroes themselves" as written by "The Greatest Descriptive Writer the World has Ever Known." Here is a typical Everett production, in the vein of his books on the San Franciso earthquake and the disaster of the titanic. This particular title is not common, as many of his others are. A Very Good (Minus) copy of the First Edition Thus. Maroon cloth binding with titling in gilt, along with a battleship. The rear cover shows a sample of the spine of the finished book, titled and decorated in gilt. Colour frontis and many black and white illustrations within. Rubbed at the margins, with the gilt dulled. An interesting period piece.. First Thus. Decorative Cloth. Very Good (Minus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Salesman's Dummy.

Philadelphia, Chicago, & St. Louis: National Publishing Company, 1888. Here is a Salesman's sample and order book for a volume of a "Graphic Account of Thrilling Adventures, Marvelous Discoveries, Strange Phenomena, and Famous Sights in All Parts of the Globe." What more could one possibly want? There are two binding choices: a blue/gray pictorial version in black and gilt, and a red leather version, decoratively stamped and with a gilt title. Samples of text/illustrations and the spines. Rubbing around the margins. The text is mostly clean, but some pages and the sales record pages are covered with peciled juvenalia (scribbles). . First Thus. Decorative Cloth. Very Good (Minus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Philadelphia, Et.al.: Hubbard Bros., Publishers [and Three others], 1886. This is a Very Good (Plus) copy of a Salesman's Sample and Order Book. Green decorative cloth binding with decorative stamping in black with titling in gilt. Clean text, very bright and clear [not a complete textblock]. Frontis portrait of William Gladstone; numerous black and white illustrations throughout. Gilt top and fore-edges; floral endpapers. Included is an Introduction by Parnell, with his engraving, as well as the Canadian Introduction by A. Burns. The rear has an advert for the book as "The only New, Authentic Book, Endorsed by Parnell" followed by pages to enter the customer's information [all are blank]. Tipped onto the rear paste-down is a sample of the spine available, stamped in black and gilt. Mildly rubbed at the margins, with light bumping to the corners. There is a small previous-owner label on the front paste-down. A wonderful example of the nature of publishing in the 19th century, and the… Read More

Milwaukee: Excelsior Publishing Company, 1890. This is a Very Good copy of the First Edition Thus, a Salesman's Sample/order book. Brown cloth binding with fancy blindstamped cover. Illustrations in black and white and color. Attached to the front paste-down are two special bindings that were offered (perhaps not as popular; Quercus has never encountered them). In the rear are publisher's adverts and the ledger for orders (alas, all blank!). There is no publication location, but per WorlCat, Excelsior was located in Milwaukee. A very interesting piece of historical context, scarce, but showing its age. Bumped, a bit cocked, somewhat loose but holding. No dustjacket. That would be a special order! Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. Salesman's Dummy.

Unknown: Unknown, 1890. This is a large-format Salesman's Sample Book for a profusely-illustrated compendium by the prolific James W. Buel (1849-1920). The cover is red leather, with embossed scenes from Africa. The sample pages reproduce numerous black-and-white illustrations. There are four spectacular color illustrations as well. Interleaved are statements and descriptions by the publisher on pink paper. The publisher is not named, nor is a publication date; 1890 would be a good guess, and Quercus ascribes to that. The subscription pages are blank; the rear cover is a sample of the red cloth version available. Rubbing and chipping to the corners and the spine has perished; nonetheless, a fascinating look into publishing history. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. First Edition.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket.

Chicago/Philadelphia: J.H. Moore Co., 1896. Here is a comprehensive tome on prominent historical figures, ready for your order ("Sold only by subscription"). Two representative bindings: the front version is decoratively stamped pebbled maroon cloth with gilt titling, while the rear isgreen cloth with a militant angel stamped in black.Clean text; "Profusely Illustrated with 700 Engravings and Photographs." The sample does not have that many, but there is a goodly number as representative. Very Good condition, with rubbing along the margins; two corners bumped to a fray.. First Thus. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Salesman's Dummy.

Philadelphia: Universal Book and Bible House, 1919. This is a Very Good (plus) copy of a Salesman Sample. Red decorative cloth binding, featuring a triumphant American eagle astride two globes of the earth. Many illustrations, which the publisher points out, "should be read with care." Bumped, with a cracked gutter, but solid enough. Included is a copy of the First Trade Edition, from a different publishing house; Very Good (Minus) but in a bit rougher condition, also with a cracked gutter. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. First Edition.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good Plus/No Jacket.

Chicago: Wilmore Book and Bible Company, 1919. This is a Very Good copy of a salesman's order book for an early history of World War One. Not an uncommon title, having been issued by many different publishers; this publisher, however, is a bit obscure. Red decorative cloth binding, with decorations in black and gilt. The order pages offer several different editions to the prospective buyer; however, no one has signed up yet! There are enough maps. illustrations and text to make this an interesting read of itself. Bumped, with some patches of staining along the margins. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. First Edition.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket.

Philadelphia: American Book & Bible House, 1901. McKinley was six months into his second term when assassinated by an anarchist. He was a popular President who had twice defeated William Jennings Bryan. This is a Very Good (minus) copy of a salesman's sample for the "Official Memorial Volume." Not a rare title, but this an interesting variation. Brown cloth binding, stamped in black with titles in gilt. A portrait of McKinley is tipped onto the front cover. Clean text; numerous illustrations, with samples of various chapters. Corners are bumped and there is general wear to the margins. A sound copy, but the gilt has in many places rubbed off (hence the "minus" designation).. First Thus. Decorative Cloth. Very Good (Minus)/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

New York: Clark & Maynard, Publishers, 1884. This is a Very Good copy of a "Specimen Copy" of spelling lessons for school. An uncommon title. Red paper-covered boards with titling and decorations in black. Noted "With the Compliments of Clark & Maynard." Clean text; 188 pages, with adverts on the rear cover and the insides of the boards. Previous-owner signature on the second free endpaper.Corners are bumped to a fray on the front, with a chip at the top near the spine. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall.

Richmond: B.F. Johnson and Company, 1887. John Albert Broadus (1827-1895) was considered to be one of the finest orators of his day. During the Civil War he served with Lee as a chaplain, and later gave an important address on reconciliation. This is a Very Good Plus copy of a SALESMAN'S SAMPLE for the Second Edition. Green cloth binding with gilt lettering. Frontis portait and 64 pages of sample text. The last page has pricing information and following quite a few blank order pages. Attached to the front and rear paste-downs are the two bindings offered - one could get it in black as well (the black has offset through three endpapers). Interestingly, although the sample text correctly lists Johnson as the publisher, the sample bindings are for a different one. No dustjacket. Second Edition.. Hard Cover. Near Fine/No Jacket. Salesman's Dummy.

Chicago & Philadelphia: Elliot & Beezley, 1886. First published in1883; this is a Very Good (minus) copy of a Salesman's Sample. The book was "sold by subscription only," so it contains sample pages from the published book; a prospectus page offering several choices in binding, and ruled notebook pages for the salesman to record any orders (these are currently blank). The binding is black leather, decoratively stamped, with gilt lettering on the front cover. Frontis portrait of the Professor; illustrated with engravings of selected authors. The rear paste-down has a cloth option affixed. This copy has rubbing at the edges and chipping on the spine, but when new must have presented an attractive item to the prospective customer. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Reprint.. Full-Leather. Very Good/No Jacket. Salesman's Dummy.

Philadelphia & Chicago: Elliott & Beezley, 1884. This is a Very Good copy of a salesman's sample book in a decorative Victorian binding. Brown cloth binding with lettering in black and gilt; figure of a youth leaning on a quarter-moon, with a bird landed on his hand. Sample pages of text and illustrations. Seven pages of testimonials in the rear, with a one-page description of the offering: 400 pages, 14 full-page portraits, available in three different bindings. The Agent has penciled her name here.Rubbed at the tips and margins of the spine. The front gutter has split but is holding, although feeling a bit shaken. A nice period-piece.. First Thus.. Decorative Cloth. Very Good/No Jacket. Salesman's Dummy.

Washington, D.C.: Review & Herald Publishing Association, 1928. This is one of the more interesting Salesman's Sample bools that Quercus has seen, intended for a religious audience. Arthur S. Maxwell (1896-1970) was a prolific author and administrator in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. There is no publication date listed, but LoC's holding of this title puts it at 1928, and the hair and fashion styles seem to indicate that date or perhaps a bit later. Black leather binding with fancy gilt title block; marbled paper endpapers. Next is a fold-out dispalay of cover color choices: blue, red, green, orange, and brown. Following is a selection of stories and illustrations in black and white, then the salesman's order ledger (no entries), and, most interesting, samples of color paperbound choices. This is in great condition, with the exception of a cracked hinge where the cover samples meet the textblock. This is a common problem with sample books; they were opened and closed frequently,… Read More