Contents and Arrangement
Online

Encyclopaedia Britannica (new 11th edition), 1911

1 box

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

Collection of 8 pieces of promotional material for the 11th (and arguably best) edition of the Encyclopaedia; one pamphlet separated at fold, else fine. Includes: 1. 14-paneled brochure, printed in red and black and illustrated, featuring "A Remarkable Photograph: the new Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2 forms: ordinary paper & India paper" to demonstrate the "immense saving in house room," describing each volume as "light and slender enough to hold in the hand and read with pleasure". Includes order blank for either edition in two different bindings (full morocco or half morocco/full "leather"). Also advertised are various custom bookshelves, including the "Horizontal File-bookcase (mahogany), specially designed to take the new suede binding..." Also on the menu, the double-tier bookcase or the single-tier bookstand. Also features the exceptional qualities of the "New Velvet Suede Binding". 2. A 12-paneled brochure, nearly identical to the item described above, but with photographic illustrations of a very period drawing room adorned with the Encyclopaedia where the order blank is located on the brochure above; also feature "The New Suede Binding" (sans Velvet). 3. 4to illustrated specimen page bifolium: Vol. 13, pp. 318 and 503 (Heraldry and Hinduism); and Vol. 15, pp. 120 and 231 (Jacobs-Jacobsen, and Japan). 4. 8vo bifolium, printed in red and black, plain photographic illustrations; previous folds. At head of title: "Form of subscription..." Order blank printed on p. [4]. 5. 12mo, unpaged pamphlet; staplebound self-wrappers. Drop title: "The Low Price of the Encyclopaedia Britannica". Unattributed testimonials include, "Before buying the 11th edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, I, being a poor man, had to consider, not whether I wanted it, but whether it would pay me to have it. An inspection of the specimen volume convinced me that I could not afford to be without it..." [There is no indication from the specimen pages that people were being paid to have the Encyclopaedia.] 6. 8vo, unpaged pamphlet printed on India paper. Includes unattributed subscriber testimonials and press opinions (from the fromer: "A splendid travelling companion" [presumably the author of that statement was either 9'8" or thinking of a different book]; from the latter: "the reader feels the joy of possession" (the Daily Mail)). 7. Leaf removed from "The Outlook" advertising section, promoting "The Second Distribution of The Encyclopaedia Britannica". 8. Another leaf also removed from "The Outlook" advertising section, promoting the "Novel Binding For Indian Paper Volumes of the Encyclopaedia. Includes order blank at the bottom of the page.

Arrangement

Arrangement follows the order of the original Excel inventory.

General

New York: Cambridge University Press

Collection History

Processing Information

Finding aid created via automated processes by Regine Heberlein, 2017.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Credit this material:

Encyclopaedia Britannica (new 11th edition); Collection of Ephemera Relating to the Marketing of Books, RBD2, Rare Book Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (ex): Box B-000872

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