Conducted under the direction of the Associa tion, by

CHARLES R. RODE.

The following communication, from a bookseller of long experience and prominent position in the trade, will no doubt receive the attention it merits. The article is based upon maturé consideration, and will perhaps be recognised as having been heretofore presented in a somewhat modified form.

TRADE SALES AND A PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE. Trade Sales have been so long supported by the Trade, that they have come to be looked upon as fixtures, and any attempt to abolish them would be deemed by many of the leading contributors and purchasers as almost Quixotic, and yet there is nearly a unanimous sentiment in the Trade that they are of no advantage, and with many that they are positively injurious to the general interest of the Book business. During all the period of their existence there have occurred times, and not infrequently, when a pretty general dissatisfaction has been expressed with the mode of conducting them, and with their results, and often attempts have been made, by some change or modification, to get rid of the evils that were felt to exist. Within a few years these attempts have been renewed, and though for a while promising better success have in the end

AND LITERARY GAZETTE, CONDUCTED BY CHARLES R. RODE,

Under the Direction of the New York Book-Publishers' Association,

Is published every week at $2 per annum, payable in advance; and for the following reasons claims the favorable consideration of all individuals, companies, and associations, who take an interest in the making, selling, buying, or reading of books.

1st. It is the only journal in the United States which keeps a full and correct record of CURRENT PUBLICATIONS. Every number contains the title of books issued during the week, with their SIZE, PRICE, NUMBER OF PAGES, and PUBLISHER.

2d. It contains regularly a list of the most important NEW BOOKS issued from the ENGLISH PRESS.

3d. It is the only journal which gives PUBLISHERS' ANNOUNCE

MENCA.

4th. Each number has a copious collection of current LITERARY INTELLIGENCE, concerning Books and BOOK MAKERS, compiled from the best and most authentic domestic, and foreign sources.

5th. The Circular, besides occasional EDITORIALS upon subjects of interest, has in nearly every number EXTRACTS FROM NEW BOOKS, selected with especial regard to their general attractiveness.

6th. It also gives EXPOSITORY NOTICES of NEW PUBLICATIONS; intended, not as critical commentaries, but as guides to the buyer, explain, ing the purpose, and method of each book, without examining into its intrinsic merits.

7th. The American Publishers' Circular is the OFFICIAL MEDIUM of ADVERTISING of the great body of American Publishers, and in that departinent alone possesses sufficient value to recommend it to the Trade and the Reading Public.

Back numbers can be supplied.

are once more considering and suggesting changes. But is there reason to think that they will be of any avail? Are there not inherent evils in the system which no patching can cure, and is it not wise, and is not this a favorable time for considering whether a substitute for Trade Sales cannot be found, that shall accomplish all the good that it has been claimed, is accomplished by these sales, and yet avoid many if not all the glaring evils of the present system? It is with a full belief that a substitute can be found, and that it only needs the careful consideration and united endeavor of a few of our more experienced Publishers to construct one-that the following plan of a Fair is presented. This plan is not presented as a perfect one, but only as a basis to work upon, and with the hope that the attention of all interested may be directed to it, and that this or some better one that may be suggested, shall be placed in the hands of competent persons to remodel and adopt.

Perhaps it may be well and not inappropriate, before presenting the plan, to hint

That-Advances made by Auctioneers to Contributors are generally of no ultimate advantage, and often induce the manufacture of books that had better not be made.

That it is not for the ultimate advantage of the seller to overstock his customer, and that many books are purchased at the Trade Sales by all who attend them, that had better not be purchased.

That the profit on purchases at Trade Sales is usually less than on purchases made in the regular way, and that such purchases more than anything else produce irregularity in prices, by leading to competition.

That many purchasers at Trade Sales having been tempted in the excitement, to buy more than they ought to have bought, and being compelled by the terms of the sale to give a preference to such purchases, are less able to meet their more legitimate obligations,— The substitute proposed is,

AN AMERICAN BOOK FAIR,

to be conducted under the direction of a COMMITTee of Publishers, and to be held TWICE A-YEAR ONLY,

one Fair in the Spring and one in the Fall, and if deemed best, alternately in the Cities of NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA, and BOSTON, subject to the following rules:

Rules to Govern Contributors, &c.

1. Publishers throughout the Union to be invited to contribute Invoices of such books as they may wish to sell at the Fair.

2. A Catalogue shall be printed of all the Contributions under the name of each Contributor, as in the case of Trade Sales, and generally distributed to the Trade only. The Catalogue shall give a full description of every book to be sold, and of the edition, if there is more than one.

3. The Catalogue shall state the quantity of each book that will be offered, with the retail price of the same and the prices at which it will be sold at the Fair-somewhat after the following manner: Retail Price. Less than 25 copies. 25 copies and upwards. $4.00 $2.80 $260° (Of course every book will have its own nett price, and the discount will be greater or less, according to the judgment of the Contributor.)

150 Dunglison's Medical Dictionary,

4. The Contributor shall be obliged to sell the whole number of copies named in his Invoice, if they are wanted, and shall also have the privilege of supplying any further demand that may exist-but only at the prices and on the terms advertised in the Catalogue.

(A Contributor may safely offer any number of copies, as he controls the prices, and would be expected to make the number sufficiently large to induce distant buyers to attend the Fair, at the same time the number need not be so great as to depreciate in any measure the value of a book,

5. All Contributors shall be present personally, or be represented by a clerk fully authorized to make sales, at such place as may be selected for holding the Fair, and shall there present samples of all the books they propose to sell, or of such as are not perfectly known to the Trade.

6. Contributors to the Fair to pledge themselves to sell none of their publications on as favorable terms, as to prices, as they will be offered at the Fair, for the next sixth months ensuing, or during the period intervening between the Fairs.

7. The sales of all the books named in the Catalogue shall be made only at the room or rooms where the Fair may be hell, and no business in such books shall be transacted elsewhere during the week of the Fair, nor shall business in other books, or any other business be transacted at the rooms of the Fair.

8. The Fair shall be conducted by some competent person, to be appointed by the Committee, whose duty it shall be to solicit Invoices from Publishers, personally and by circulars; superintend the printing and distribution of the Catalogue; provide a suitable room or rooms for holding the Fair, with desks and other conveniences for shewing samples; keep a record of the names of all purchasers, their firms, mode of shipping goods, &c., &c. The conductor shall be allowed to charge dollars per page for the Catalogue, together with a commission on all the sales made at the Fair, which shall not exceed 24 per cent. on the amount of the same, and which he shall collect proportionately of each Contributor.

Rules to Govern Purchasers.

1. All purchases of books from any Invoice to an amount less than $50 shall be paid in cash; over $50 and up to $100, three months credit; over $100 and up to $250, four months credit; over $250 and up to $500, five months credit; over $500, six months credit. Satisfactory notes to be given for the credit purchases, to be dated on the last day of the Fair, or a discount of 8 per cent. per annum will be allowed for cash.

(Contributors may adopt these terms, or vary them to suit their own views, and can print them over their Invoices if they please.)

2. Purchasers at the Fair must be personally present, or be represented by a clerk fully authorized to make purchases, as no books offered at the Fair will be sold on as favorable terms, as to prices, to such of the Trade as are not present.

(This rule ought to be strictly adhered to, in order to secure the personal attendance of all buyers.)

3. Books will be packed by the respective Contributors; and where the lots are small, arrangements can be made to have purchases from several Invoices packed by any one of the Contributors, and no charge will be made, except for boxes and cartage.

4. All purchases shall be made in good faith, for the sole use of the respective purchasers. There shall be no division of lots or combinations to buy among purchasers.

(This is an important rule, and though it may be evaded, yet the Contributor can re fuse to sell if he has reason to suspect an evasion.)

5. All the books sold shall be delivered or shipped immediately, and it shall be optional with purchasers to reject any that are not either delivered or shipped within twenty days after the close of the Fair.

6. All errors to be reported immediately after the receipt of the goods, and imperfections to be applied for within three months after the close of the Fair.

Sale of Remainders of Editions by Auction.

As all Publishers have some books that they want to push off and are disposed to sell at low prices, and which in many cases would meet with better success if in other hands, it is proposed that a Separate Catalogue of such books, giving a full description of the same, and stating the whole number of the edition remaining, and including stereotype plates, if any, shall be printed and distributed, and that one day during the Fair the said books shall be sold at auction. The entire remainder of each book, with stereotype plates, to be offered in one lot to the highest bidder.

(It is believed that this mode of disposal of slow books will be found more advantageous on the whole than in selling them in small lots as has been done at Trade Sales.)

SALE OF M. LIBRI'S LIBRARY.-The choice portion of the library of M. Libri, consisting of 2,824 lots, and sold at the rooms of Messrs. Sotheby & Wilkinson, realized 8,8227. 78. Many of the books had belonged to the most celebrated amateurs of the day of their publication, and were adorned in the gorgeous bindings of Grolier, Maioli, Diana of Poictiers, De Thou, Colbert, Cardinal Richelieu, Fouquet, L. Bigot, Archbishop Le Tellier, Madame de Maintenon, Count. Hoym, Mecenate, Philareto, Laurinus, Madame de Pompadour, Longepierre, Philip de Mornay, Henri de Montpensier, Geoffroy Tory de Bourges, P. Sequier, the Gonzaga, the Spada, the Doge Foscarini, the Comtesse de la Verrue, the Medicis, the Della Roveres, the D'Este family, and the numerous minor collectors, who are now only known by their arms or devices stamped on the morocco covers, which are much coveted for the elegance of their designs, said to have been furnished by Giovanni da Verona, Andrea del Sarto, Holbein, le petit Bernard, Giulio Romano, and even Raphael himself. In those days painters not only painted pictures, but, according to the prefatory epistle of M. Libri, were called upon to display their taste in adorning the faces and necks of the fairest ladies with cosmeties, in changing the appearance of horses by new and vivid colors, and by furnishing designs for palaces, churches, houses, rooms, ceilings, furniture, armour, arms, carpets, dresses, books, and even for those gigantic standing pies, outwardly richly ornamented, but when cut open, displaying to the wondering beholders the inside filled with living four-footed animals, or perchance with human dwarfs. The following will serve as a sample of a library which M. Libri collected, as he himself avers, for the purpose of studying the art of ornamentation, and, to use his own words, "modestly to lay the first stone of a future museum, specially devoted to an important branch of ornamental art." We merely premise, that we have confined our selection to the higher priced articles. Ambertam Silvæ, a beautiful specimen of the library of Francis the First, King of France, 357.—Aquinatis Quæstiones, Cardinal Bonelli's copy, 16-Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, 1530, 297.-Aristotle de Naturali Auscultatione, dedication copy to Henry the Second of France, 607.-Basilii Opera, first edition, in the beautiful binding of the famous Diane de Poictiers, mistress to Henry the Second, 857-Biblia Sacra, Paris, 1549, with a curious note on 1 Cor. iii., to explain Purgatory, in magnificent French binding, 187.-Bocatius, de Genealogiâ Deoruin, Grolier's copy, 251.-Breviarium, 1492, on vellum, 4-Canisius, de Mariâ Virgine, dedication copy to Albert Duke of Bavaria, 187. 188.-Canones et Decreto Concilii Tridentini, second Aldine edition, on vellum, from Cardinal Paleotti's library, 594-Capella Commentarii, a beautiful specimen of the collection of the infamous Paul Jordan Orsini, who strangled his wife, a princess of the Medici family, with his own hand, 177 108.-Ciceronis Opera, Elzevir edition and Count Hoym's copy, 617-Ciceronis Epistolæ ad Atticum, Aldus, 1540, large paper, 441. 108.-Epiphanii Opera, from Diana of Poictiers' library, 807.-Floridi Apologia, Gro ier's copy, 287.-Galenus, 1541, in the beautiful binding supposed to have been adoped by Mecenate, physician to the Pope, 42l.-Giovanni Fiorentine il Pecorone, first edition, remarkable as containing the original story on which Shakspeare founded his Merry Wives of Windsor,' 117.—Gobin, Les Loups avissans, with a curious wood-cut, Dance of Death, 287.-Heliodorus, Latinè, 152, in the superb binding of Grolier, 1107., although copies of the book in the usual condition have never sold higher than 58.-Homeri Ilias, Turnebus, 1554, from the library of Diane de Poictiers, 377.-Hygini Fabulæ, Mecenate's copy, 731-Jovins, de Piscibus, Grolier's copy, 341Jones on Preserving Bodie and Soule, dedication copy to Queen Elizabeth, 187. 108.-La Fontaine, Psiche et Cupidon, first edition, 307. 108.-Machiavelli, Arte della Guerra, printed in 1540, by Aldo, 150., the highest price, perhaps, ever given for a small volume which, in common condition, would be dear at 108-Missale Romanum, from Cardinal Gonzaga's library, 917.—Nausex Mirabili, a beautiful specimen of Maioli's library, 911.-Pindar, Speculum, Grolier's copy, but repaired, 187, 108.-Plinii Epistolæ, first edition, 267.— Plutarchi Vitæ, from the beautiful library of Margaret of Valois, Queen of Henry the Fourth, 217.-Ptolemai Geographia, Philareto's copy, 20l. 10s.— Seneca Opera, first edition, 35l. 108.-Taciti Opera, first edition, 48.Xenophon Cyropedie, a superb specimen of the 'brary of our Edward the Sixth, 34/. 108.-Biblia Pauperum Germaniæ, a block book, 2207-Planeten Buch, an unknown specimen of Xylography, 39'.

New Publications

Received at the Office of the AMERICAN PUBLISHERS' CIRCULAR. [In the following List will be found the names of such books only as have been sent to this Journal. The titles of all books as they are issued will be regularly inserted in the proper column.]

DERBY & JACKSON issue "Miss Slimmens' Window, and Other Papers," by Mrs. Mark Peabody. The other papers are "The Tallow Family in America." "Lucy in the City," and "Mr. Fitz Foom in the Country." The volume contains several humorous illustrations.

WILLIAM S. & ALFRED MARTIEN send us "Jesus Only," by J. Oswald Jackson, a small volume. Its subjects are various, but all are written with this purpose, to show you your need of Christ, and the riches of his grace and mercy to you."

MUNSELL & ROWLAND publish the "Genealogy of the Descendants of John Sills, who settled in Cambridge, Mass., in 1637;" also" A Woman's Hand; or, Plain Instructions for embellishing a Cottage; with easy and practical Lessons in Pellis or Leather Work; Oriental, Grecian Oil, and Italian Landscape Painting," by Mrs. Eliza T. Van Schaack, authoress of “Clara Foster," "The North and South," etc., etc.

FOLLETT, FOSTER & Co. issue "The Protective Policy in Literature: a Discourse on the Social and Moral Advantages of the Cultivation of Local Literature," by William T. Coggeshall, Ohio State Librarian, delivered before the Beta Theta Pi Society of Ohio University at the 54th Commencement, June 22d, 1858.

W. A. TOWNSEND & Co. publish "Out of the Depths: the Story of a Woman's Life," of which the Church of England Review says: "We have in it the Story of a Woman's Life, recording her downfall, her gradual degradation to the lowest of the low, and her painful and laborious ascent again to purer regions, in short, the Harlot's Progress' of the nineteenth century, in prose instead of in painting; provided also with a retracing of that progress, which the great painter-moralist of the last century so powerfully depicted." Also, "Stone him to Death;" or, the Jewish and Christian Dispensations compared and contrasted with the Fourth Commandment. This is a reproduction, slightly condensed, of two articles which have appeared in the Westminster Review on the observance of the Sabbath.

H. DEXTER & Co. favor us with a copy of "Rhymes of Twenty Years," a volume of Poems by Henry Morford. ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS publish several new works. His Church in the Book of Psalms," by Rev. Andrew A. Bonar is, in the "Christ and words of the Author, meant to help those who delight to search the Scriptures. He says: "There are also gleanings from many fields here and there presented to the reader; for the author has consulted writers on the Psalms of all the different shades of opinion, even where he simply states the con clusion at which he has aimed, as to the true sense of the passage." of the Life of James Wilson, Esq., F. R. S. E., M. W. S., of Woodville," is by ." "Memoirs James Hamilton, D. D.. F. L. S., author of "Life in Earnest," etc., who observes: "although scarcely claiming to be a contribution to what is commonly called religious biography, it is hoped that there is room for a volume which tries to delineate, however imperfectly, a Christian gentleman, and which shows how honorably and usefully an accomplished mind may fill up a life of Leisure." Also a juvenile entitled "The Little Lychetts, and Other Stories."

WHEELER & WILLIAMS publish the " Annual Report of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, for the Year 1858" This handsome volume contains a great deal of valuable information, and forms the initial number of a regular series of annual Reports which the Chamber of Commerce have decided to issue. The special purpose of this publication is to show the condition of commercial affairs in the city during the preceding year, and to consider any important changes in the business market of the State at large, connected with the general trade of the country.

463

SHELDON & Co. have got out two new books. Ancient Brooks," is by Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, and is a "Smooth Stones taken from tences, illustrations, and quaint sayings, from the works of that renowned "Collection of Senpuritan, Thomas Brooks," of whom Mr. Spurgeon says: "As a writer, Brooks scatters stars with both his hands: he hath dust of gold; in his storehouse are all manner of precious stones. sanctified it is matchless. The ringing of the bells of the sanctuary is sweeter Genius is always marvelous; but when than the music of the house of feasting. Had Brooks been a worldly man, his writings would have been most valuable; but since he was an eminent Christian, they are doubly so. eagle wing of imagination. He saw similes, metaphors, and allegories everyHe had the eagle eye of faith, as well as the where; but they were all consecrated to his Master's service: his heart indited the good matter, for he spake of the things which he had made touching the King. Reader, thou hast here presented to thee, in a cheap and readable form, the choice sayings of one of the King's mighties. The great divine who wrote these precious sentences was of the race of the giants. He was head and shoulders above all the people, not in his stature (like Saul), but in mind, and soul, and grace. with them, by putting them into the golden setting of holy practice, which Treasure these gems, and adorn thyself is the end the writer always aimed at. of old, and may the Lord direct them to the very forehead of thy sins, for Use these smooth stones' as David this is the author's main design! ings of Divine Love," by W. P. Balfern, author of "Glimpses of Jesus," who Also "Lessons from Jesus; or, the Teachremarks "The object of the writer is to gain for the whole Gospel a more extensive and affectionate reception among those who may have apprehended it but partially, and to bring out its adaptation to the varied experiences both of the old and the young, the decided and the undecided, the believer and the sceptic-subsidiary to these designs, also to raise a note of warning, as to the designs of many, who either openly or covertly are seeking to rob the Church of those doctrines which have been, and must continue to be, the only source of her spiritual strength, beauty, and usefulness, while travelling through this wilderness of time."

JOHN WILEY issues "Letters on Modern Agriculture," by Baron Von Liebig, edited by John Blyth, M. D., Professor of Chemistry, Queen's College, Cork. The editor remarks: "These important and interesting Letters on 'Modern Agriculture' are addressed by Baron Liebig, not to agriculturists alone, but to every one who takes an interest in the welfare of his country. The wants of an increasing population, and the danger of a possible stoppage, at any moment, of supplies drawn from foreign sources, make all feel a deep interest in the discovery of the means of producing more bread and meat on a given surface.' Landed proprietors, practical agriculturists, and men of science, have all of late years devoted their united energies to solve this important problem. From the efforts of so many anxious laborers, as might be expected, a corresponding harvest of practical results has been obtained. The author, who has for years occupied himself with the elucidation of the laws of the nutrition of plants, passes in review, in these Letters, the mass of practical facts thus acquired, and by the light of science endeavors to give them their true import, and to deduce from them fundamental laws of general application in agriculture."

MOORE & NIMS have got out a little book of "Slate Pictures," intended for children to copy on a common school slate, serving to amuse and instruct during leisure hours in the school-room and nursery. An, excellent idea, well executed.

ADAMS & DABNEY, Rochester, have got out a German copy-book for the use of English scholars.

New Announcements since our Last Issue.

William S. & Alfred Martien.

Charles Scribner.

List of New Works.

AMERICAN.