BOOKSELLER’S MEMORIES

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1926, Page 4

BOOKSELLER’S MEMORIES

BOOKS PAST AND PRESENT. One of the best known authorities on books in Australia is Mr Leonard Slade, manager of Robertson and Mullen’s retail book department, Melbourne, states the “Argus.” Having devoted his whole life to the book trade, he has seen something of the revolution in ■ popular literature which has resulted iu the -modern novel. He has just completed' his 52nd year in the trade, and has been 50 years with his present firm-, but in spite of his 67 years he is as able as ever, and his wonderful memory is unimpaired. In an interview, Mr Slade gave some of his reminiscences of the book trade. Forty or fifty years ago, he said, it was comparatively easy to run a book concern, for the the choice in books was limited. There was a great demand for “solid” literature by standard authors. Nearly all novels were published in three volumes at what would today be regarded as an exorbitant price, hence circulating libraries w-ere greatly in vogue. Later on issues of popular editions, especially for the colonies, were brought out at a considerably reduced price. The Americans started capturing the market about fifteen years ago with their innovations of coloured wrappers designed to attract the eye of prospective buyers. Mr Slade considered that the outlook for the book trade was just as good at present as it had ever been. People nowadays did not read the old standard books they used to, but they still had a keen interest in literature.