Business Filing, Second Edition (1955) - Bassett & Agnew - South-Western Publishing

A practical mid-century textbook on office filing systems, this 1955 second edition reflects the postwar boom in clerical science and the professionalization of business administration. Bassett and Agnew outline alphabetic, numeric, geographic, and subject filing systems, with numerous sample documents, cross-reference sheets, requisition forms, and illustrations of filing equipment. The book provides both procedural instruction and real-world examples suitable for business students, secretarial programs, and collectors of vintage office manuals. Condition: Very Good. Strong binding; boards show mild rubbing and some light soiling consistent with age. Interior shows expected midcentury toning and scattered foxing, especially at preliminaries and title page. A previous owner's name and address are written neatly in pen on the front free endpaper. Text contains light pencil underlining in a few sections, but pages otherwise remain clean and legible. No loose pages; hinges secure. Edition/Printing Diagnostics: Copyright page reads 'Copyright © 1955 by South-Western Publishing Company.' No additional printing statements are present; South-Western often used impression codes rather than explicit number lines in this period, and the presence of code H760 indicates mid-1950s print runs. This is confirmed as the 1955 Second Edition, printed in the U.S.A. E.D. Bassett and Peter L. Agnew were prominent mid-20th-century educators specializing in business administration, office management, and clerical training. Working during a period of rapid expansion in American corporate infrastructure, they authored several instructional texts used widely in business schools and vocational programs. Their works helped standardize filing and records-management practices in the postwar clerical workforce, contributing to the professionalization of administrative systems in the United States. …