Good Times at Home Salesman's Dummy
W. E. Scull, (1909) with Chicogo: Universal Book and Bible House:; both outside boards are those of "Good Times at Home," spine blank, within are sample pages from the this book followed by the top boards of four other books with their spines pasted on the verso, followed by a pink tearaway sheet for the salesman to give customers; each of these book sections contains sample pages of photos, chromolithos, drawings, At the end of this is one sheet from the paper covered linen Mother Goose and Other Tales with the tear sheet infomation pasted on one side and chromolitho illustrations on the other; the whole being about 1" thick and 7.25 c 9.5"..At the end of the book samples,, several pages of untouched lined columed sales record paper are bound in. Salesman's sample dummy. Novelty, salesman's dummy.
Salesman's Dummy: Good Times at Home a complete resource, see images of the title page,
See the photos of the covers of other books for sale on our other copy. Virtually identical. This book is too tight to open up. Roosevelt's African Trip with photos/The Story of Our Presidents from Roosevelt to Taft/Sunday Half Hours with the Children with lessons by Charlotte Yonge/Christmas Joys for Little Girls and Boys (nursery rhymes and stories) along with an Alphabet in Colours and a Mother Goose for Baby.
In the latter part of 18th c America and beyond, these samples were a common way to engage potential customers in direct subscription sales, and their visual appeal was important. The topics selected, though not particularly well written or illustrated, show an interesting view of what these customers would want (see images of Etiquette pages)
This example is unusually complete, with salesmans' material bound in and apparently unused. The summary sheet covering the lined record paper states "AGREEMENT: We the subscribers on the following pages to the above named books. hereby agree to take the number of copies set opposite our respective names and promptly pay the specified prices on delivery of the same, if equal to the sample shown. (in Bold) Delay in delivery shall not invalidate this agreement.
CONDITION: Very Good Plus; no names, boards bright blue with neatly stamped colourful decorations, interior boards bright, the larger Mother Goose linen book page is frayed on the edge , the first tearaway sheet has a wrinkled corner, and tips of extrems are very lightly bumped, but this sample book appears unused. Item #22649
$350