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5V Birdsall Johnson SALESMAN'S LITERARY REFERENCE

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This auction lot includes a collection of salesman's samples for the following antique literary reference titles:

- Famous Authors and the Best Literature of England and America by Birdsall & Jones - Dated 1897 by Elliott Publishing Co. - Hinges cracked, "Sumptuously illustrated with original drawings"
- Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver by Blance Wynne Johnson - Dated 1894 by Norris Publishing Co. (Des Moines, Iowa) - "Profusely illustrated"
- Beautiful Gems of Thought and Sentiment Containing Productions of the Most Celebrated Authors by unnamed author - Dated 1901 by A. B. Kuhlman (Chicago) - "Profusely embellished with magnificent phototype and wood engravings"
- The Home Library of Entertainment, Instruction, and Amusement by Thomas Sheppard Meek - Dated 1902 by R. D. Wolfe & co. (Chicago) - "Richly embellished with over 100 duograph and half-tone engravings"
- The Peerless Reciter or Popular Program Containing the Choicest Recitations and Readings from the Best Authors by Henry Davenport Northrop - Dated 1894 by World Bible House (Philadelphia) - "Embellished with superb phototype engravings and line drawings"

The salesman's sample book was widely used during the late 1800's and was carried by sales representatives for publishing companies. The sample book contained a sampling of pages from the subject book and often contain two or more binding style options (color, sheepskin v. cloth, etc.) with different pricing. The tailing pages of the sample book would be blank, lined pages where orders were recorded including the name, address and choice of binding style selected by the buyer. The salesman would then submit the ""dummy"" book to the publisher who would print the orders and distribute the brand new books to the buyers. This method resulted in many, small printings and typically each printing would contain small revisions or updated advertisements, compared to the previous printing. Unless otherwise noted, the books in this lot are in good, intact condition with some age/wear indications. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $9.50

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