Life and Teachings Rev. T. De Witt Talmage Book Salesman's Dummy, 1902 Antique Publisher's Prospectus for a Memorial Biographical Volume, THIS IS NOT THE COMPLETE BOOK , BUT A SALESMAN'S SAMPLE PROSPECTUS - a Drummer's Dummy.

Talmage. Rev. T De Witt / Conwell, Russell H. (Editor & Introduction)

Published by American Book and Bible House, 1902

About this Item

The Reverend T. De Witt Talmage was one of the most renowned American evangelistic preachers of the Nineteenth Century. He was famed for the force and content of his public sermons. In fact he was known for his Trumpet Blasts ! This is The American Book and Bible House prospectus for a subscription biography of Reverend Talmage; such a prospectus was popularly called a Saleman's Dummy. In the nineteenth century it was common for publishers to sell books on a subscription basis; to facilitate this, door-to-door salesmen (also known as drummers) were provided with a dummy copy of the book which contained samples of both the text and illustrations, as well as sample pieces of different bindings available to prospective purchasers. The American Book and Bible house was based in Philadelphia. This prospectus dates from 1902. ///// In this drummer's dummy we can see , on the back cover, what the spine would look like in cloth - the front cover is already on display. On the inside, attached to the rear paste-down, is a sample of the spine for a leather binding (likely it was a half-leather binding). At the front of the book is an unusual addition: Attached to the fly-leaf is a notice to sales agents from the publisher stating that due to their "hurry to produce canvassing books we have not been able to make this prospectus as complete in illustrations and text matter as it should be. In publishing the complete volume, we will make such changes in the illustrations and text as will produce the most attractive and valuable Life of the Great Evangelist." I notice, also, that the prospectus does not have any blank subscription pages, which were a normal feature of such affairs. Likely the salesmen were provided with separate sales-books, or they had to furnish one themselves. The prospectus includes two excellent photographs of the good reverend. ///// CONDITION … VERY GOOD PLUS … The prospectus is in excellent antiquarian condition, clean and attractive, with the following imperfections noted: EXTERIOR The spine extremities are compressed and display abrasion, with fraying just starting. Board corner tips are softly bumped, with attendant slight splitting of cloth. There is modest weathering, and there are a few tiny scuffs, as well as mild surface rub . the whole displays very nicely. BINDING Solid. INTERIOR Clean and presentable throughout. Seller Inventory # 149

Bibliographic Details

Title: Life and Teachings Rev. T. De Witt Talmage ...

Publisher: American Book and Bible House

Publication Date: 1902

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good