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Filler
September 8, 1903
The Sun
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
Humorous commentary on an advertisement for remaining copies of William Jennings Bryan's 'The First Battle,' suggesting low demand reflects waning popularity, with witty retorts about prior ownership and binding.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
For the last two or three months, Mr. Bryan's Commoner has been enriched by this advertisement of the illustrated edition of one of Mr. Bryan's major works:
"I have purchased of the publisher all unsold copies of 'The First Battle,' numbering 350 copies, and offer them for sale at the low price of $1.50 per copy, sent postpaid on receipt of price. These copies are handsomely bound in Half Morocco, printed on heavy paper from clear type, contain over 600 pages. Orders will be filled in their turn until the supply is exhausted. When these copies are sold the book will be out of print. Address 'M. T. Howey, 611 South Eleventh street, Lincoln, Neb.'"
A correspondent sends us this bilious commentary:
"If an advertisement of that size (four inches square), in a paper circulating among its editors friends, cannot sell 350 copies of his book in three months, the plain conclusion is that his popularity is growing less from day to day. I voted twice for Bryan, but feel sure he is now a 'back number.'"
Our correspondent forgets that Mr. Bryan's friends already possess copies of this masterpiece. Besides, the "350 copies" may be an elastic phrase, like "positively farewell appearance." Or, the binding may be objectionable to the faithful. Half morocco smacks of plutocracy.
At any rate, there seems to be just about as much demand for the book as there is for its author.
"I have purchased of the publisher all unsold copies of 'The First Battle,' numbering 350 copies, and offer them for sale at the low price of $1.50 per copy, sent postpaid on receipt of price. These copies are handsomely bound in Half Morocco, printed on heavy paper from clear type, contain over 600 pages. Orders will be filled in their turn until the supply is exhausted. When these copies are sold the book will be out of print. Address 'M. T. Howey, 611 South Eleventh street, Lincoln, Neb.'"
A correspondent sends us this bilious commentary:
"If an advertisement of that size (four inches square), in a paper circulating among its editors friends, cannot sell 350 copies of his book in three months, the plain conclusion is that his popularity is growing less from day to day. I voted twice for Bryan, but feel sure he is now a 'back number.'"
Our correspondent forgets that Mr. Bryan's friends already possess copies of this masterpiece. Besides, the "350 copies" may be an elastic phrase, like "positively farewell appearance." Or, the binding may be objectionable to the faithful. Half morocco smacks of plutocracy.
At any rate, there seems to be just about as much demand for the book as there is for its author.
What sub-type of article is it?
Witty Remark
Human Interest
What keywords are associated?
Bryan
Book Sales
Advertisement
Popularity
Half Morocco
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Bryan
M. T. Howey
Where did it happen?
Lincoln, Neb.
Filler Details
Topic
Slow Sales Of William Jennings Bryan's Book 'The First Battle'
Location
Lincoln, Neb.
Key Persons
Mr. Bryan
M. T. Howey
Event Details
Advertisement offers 350 unsold copies of 'The First Battle' at $1.50 each, bound in half morocco. Correspondent comments on poor sales indicating declining popularity. Response notes friends may already own copies and jokes about elastic phrasing or binding objections.