TYPE OF BOOKS
During the 17th and 18th century in England the types of books sold by subscription were "atlases, geographies,...histories" and significant works of English literature (Farrington). When the American colonies began selling by subscription in the 18th century the types of books published were also histories as well as religious and biographical books. During the 19th century subscription publications related to local interests, contemporary events, and self-improvement were widely popular as were popular fiction. By the 20th century the publication of books by subscription continued with the most success in educational materials such as "encyclopedias; sets of literature (for children or adults); professional publications (law and medical books;...technical and vocational manuals (Farrington).