Subscription sales of books, through which the "printer/publisher solicited advance payment from interested readers," has been an important sales method for the book trade (Bazerman, 2009, pp. 87). Beginning in the 1600s, this method of sale has been common up until the end of the 19th century as a way to reduce risk to the publisher and cover costs in advance. As this website investigates this aspect of the "book as commodity" we'll strive to answer the following questions through primary sources:
- How did subscription sales change over time and
place? - What types of books were published through subscription
sales? - What was the appeal for the authors, booksellers,
printers, and readers of subscription sales? - How were subscription sales made?