ENGLAND. BOOK PRODUCTION IN 1899. IN EUROPE. THE London Publishers' Circular introduces its statistics of the books published in 1899 with the following remarks: 'War and rumors of war affected the production of books in 1898, which numbered 410 less than in 1897. The year just closed has also been one of exceptional excitement on the military side. Yet we have to record a slight increase over the figures of the preceding twelve months. Our table shows an increase of 102 in essays and monographs, of 23 in poetry, and 32 in books of travel. In the department of art and science there is an increase of 44. In fiction, new and old, there is an increase of 159, the new editions as stated being up 92. In law there are fewer new books, but more reprints. Theological, educational, and serial works show nearly the same numbers as last year. Of political and kindred books there are 70 less to chronicle than in 1898, and 177 less than in 1897." Then follows the analytical table, divided into thir Commenting on the statistics editorially, the Publishers' Circular, pointing to the increase in book production, says: "This disposes of the statement, repeated during the last few weeks like a parrot cry by the ill-informed, that the war was seriously curtailing the issue of books. So far as numbers go, the war has had no perceptible effect. To take the most prominent department, fiction, in Stock Exchange phrase, 'continues exceedingly active,' the figures for 1899 showing a considerable increase both in new works and new editions as compared with those of the preceding year. An increase in new editions is particularly gratifying, in view of all we have lately been hearing about the evil effects of the war on novels. Doubtless the war has affected the sale of novels. Great public excitement always ix does affect the demand for books, and when. the newspaper furnishes the bulk of the readmen are killing each other on the field of battle ing. Nevertheless, it will surprise some of the paragraphists who have been furnishing facts, editions of works of fiction in 1899 exceeded by from their imagination to learn that the new nearly a hundred those of 1898. Fortunately, we are able to dispense with speculation in this matter, and to speak with certainty. The number of new works brought out in any year is no real indication of the business done by publishers and booksellers, but new editions are an excellent index to the state of trade. "Theology is also 'strong,' though here the new editions show rather a serious decline. Is it possible that the reading public is less relig. iously disposed in time of war than in time of peace? Under the head of education the figures continue to grow, and law may be said to hold the even tenor of its way. In political and social economy we have to chronicle a slight falling off; but the aesthetic will be glad to learn that the arts advance. Travel is also up, but history and biography are down. We have frequently noticed the decline of history during the last few years, and the record of 1899 unfortunately confirms previous statements on the subject. In biography, however, the year has been excellent. Indeed, we should say that to this department fall the honors of the year. Our readers will easily recall several biographical works of importance issued during the last twelve months. The autumn season alone has given us at least three of first-rate importance—namely, the lives of Millais and the late Archbishop of Canterbury, and the new biography of the Duke of Wellington by Sir Herbert Maxwell. To the list may also be added the Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson. All these have been conspicuous successes. poetry the honors are with Mr. Stephen Phillips, though Mr. Swinburne is likewise represented in the list. Year-books grow in number, and the department of belles-lettres shows an increase of 100. But in miscellanies there has been a decline of 200. This, however, is of little importance. In "Yet another interesting point is brought out by our table. We hear much ill-informed talk about the spring as a publishing season. Some self-appointed directors of public opinion in matters relating to the book trade assume that there is practically no spring season. How far they are mistaken our table proves. As was to be expected, November is, in a publishing sense, the heaviest month of the year. It is forty ahead of October, but March stands third, being only sixty-eight behind November; February, April, and May are all heavy. June is practically on a level with December, and is ahead of September. A comparative study of the figures of each month for the last few years shows conclusively that publishers are more and more spreading their books over the whole year. Indeed, if the Christmas book-that is to say, the book for children-were eliminated, it would, we suspect, be found that in the more important works spring stands as high as autumn. It is wise, we think, to avoid crowding too many books into a particular season. ing November, Christmas books of course come pouring out. Since the Christmas trade is an Dur Backes, Jacob (1). Badger, Richard G., & Co. (18). Bancroft Co. (The) (1).......... . Masonic Temple, Chicago. ...Washington, D. C. .39 Chambers St., New York. 1122 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 150 Nassau St., New York. .156 Fifth Ave., New York. .223 Main St., Cincinnati. .Boston. York, Pa. .72 Fifth Ave., New York. ...Montpelier, Vt. .110 Fifth Ave., New York. 51 E. 10th St., New York. .420 Library St., Philadelphia. ...206 Broadway, New York. .321 Second Ave., New York. .157 Tremont Mall, Boston. .....Denver, Col. .810 Walnut St., Philadelphia. ..5 E. 16th St., New York. .66 Nassau St., New York. Logansport, Ind. .156 Fifth Ave., New York. ..613 Clay St., San Francisco. Banks & Bros. (17) (now Banks & Co. and The Banks Law Pub. Co.). ....Albany, N. Y. .21 Murray St., New York. Louisville, Ky. .406 S. Franklin St., Syracuse, N. Y. .156 Fifth Ave., New York. .Kansas City, Mo. .South Braintree, Mass. .Frederick, Md. .277 Dearborn St., Chicago. 79 Asylum St., Hartford, Ct. .Lynchburg, Va. NOTE.-The figures in parentheses immediately after the firm-name represent the number of books received under that firm's imprint during the year. |