Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1883 — “Battle of the Books.” [ARTICLE]

“Battle of the Books.”

The “Literary Revolution” whi:h caused such a sensation a few years ag\ and 'wfiicK~Was~’supposed to have been overthrown and done for, seems to be “ablaze” again, more fierce and flourishing than ever. Its “100-page catalogue, f.ee,’’ and “books sent to anyone to be paid for after receipt and examination, evidence of good faith being given,’’are now being advertised in thousands of papers, and it opens one’s eyes to see the books offered—this time thoroughly beautiful typography aad the best of paper, presswork and binding, instead of small type and cheap work, ns lormerly. And one must acknowledge that thay are indeed “the lowest prices ever known.” We {quote a few samples, the books being always unabridged, and in large type: ■ ,

Tennyson’s Enoch Arden, 2 cents. The Cotter’s Saturday Night, 2 cents. Caesars Commentaries, Cicero’s Orations, and numerous® other “Ancient Classics for English Headers," reduced from $1 to as low as 15 cent* each.' Bacon’s Essays, 15 cents to 40 cents. Bote’s ftinws Bible Gallery, $2. Irving's Sketcn B ok, 25 cents to GO eta. Irving's Works, in 6 large and most beautiful volumes, 54. Ancient Egypt under the Pharoahii, re* ilueed from sls to $1.25. Scott’s Waverly Novels, reduced from S3O to $7.50. George Eliot’s Works, reduced front 512 to $5.75. And a whole host of the great poets of the world, ranging from 40 and 50 cent* upwards; also plenty of other books equally interesting and astonishing to the oldtime book buyers. The books are sold only to buyers direct, and not through booksellers. Those who would be inclined to believe such ol«itns fabulous, nre confronted with the “privilege of examination before payment,’’ aud the witness of one’s own "neighbors on every hind who have already received thsir book ß . It !• certainly worth a postal card to get the “catalogue free.*’ Fbr that, address John B, Alden, Publisher, 18 Vesey St., New York. i