QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S CHRISTMAS GIFT-BOOK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 43

QUEEN ALEXANDRA'S CHRISTMAS GIFT-BOOK.

(Fboic Oob Own Cohbespondeot.) j LONDON, October 16. An announcement in the columns of the Daily Telegraph of the coming publication ol a unique volume of photographs taken by her Majesty the Queen has excited the deepest and most widespread interest. From an early hour it was evident that ;

there would be an unprecedented demand for " Queen Alexandra's Christmas Giftbook," which is made up of "Photographs from my camera," and the proceeds of which are to go to charity. By post and telegraph messages were' received from all parts of the United Kingdom from booksellers s and others anxious to co-operate in her Majesty's kindly scheme " for charity." One* of the most pleasant features of this early demand was the spontaneous manner in which newspapers all over the country hastened to offer their services in co-

operating with the Daily Telegraph. Not only were the advertising columns of these journals freely placed at the disposal ol the publishers, in order that It might come under the_ notice of readers in all parts of Great Britain and Ireland, but newspaper offices were generously suggested as convenient central depots for the work of distribution. The first day's orders practically absorbed the whole of the first impression of 100,000 copies, and 250.000 copies were sold in the first three days. The scale upon which booksellers, news-

agents, and others placed orders within a few hours of the first announcement is without parallel. Mr George Edwardes has expressed his willingness to purchase 1500 copies of the Queen's book, which he intends to distribute at a matinee of the " Merry Widow " at Daly's Theatre. Eighteen of the leading shipping companies have generously offered to convey the book free of charge or to sell it on their steamers. These companies will be able to effect the distribution of the volume practically all over the

world. The sales on these ships will, it La believed, absorb about 25,000 copies. The companies which are prepared to assist in this manner include the New Zealand Shipping Company and the White , Star Line. The strictly net price of the volume ia 2s 6d. It may be stated that in preparing the C iristmas Gift-book for publication her Majesty the Queen had been pleased to receive the advice and assistance of Mr Ralph Hall Came.