Salesman's Samples from Quercus Rare Books

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… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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,… Read more about this item

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,… Read more about this item

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,… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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).… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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… Read more about this item

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.… Read more about this item