Today is April 25th, National Telephone Day. I have two rather rare copies of an interesting book:
“The Red Telephone” by Lilian Heath, printed 1905.
To begin with, one book is a salesman’s dummy book. It was used to go door to door, and show perspective customers what they would get if they bought the book. It has only the first page of most chapters, a bunch of the illustrations, and descriptions of the type of bindings. It was a teaser of sorts, of what you would get.
For example, this book says: “the Red Telephone or tricks of the tempter exposed. Being messages from the underworld of sin and how they are answered. A book portraying the grave dangers of the various walks of life; also the milder forms of temptation that lead to ruin. The purpose of this book is to sound a warning note against our every-day follies, indiscretions, and selfishness. A large 400 page book including nearly 50 original full page pictures drawn and engraved exclusively for this work.”
The salesman would then tell the customer that they needed this book to teach their children and grandchildren the right path. It would always be within arms reach on the library shelf. They could constantly refer back to specifics. It would be an investment for their future.
The salesman would lastly say “would you like the cloth binding with beautiful cover design in three colors for $1.50; or would you like the half Russia leather, gold stamping, leather back and cloth sides-presentation edition for only $2.00.” My Salesman’s Dummy is in the illustrated three color cover, and the entire book is in the half Russia leather.
This was quite a way to sell books. I have about ten different salesman dummy books, along with the companion real books, in the library.
Last thoughts on phones, children today (and grandchildren) do not remember the pain of using a house phone to call a girl on a date. In my sophmore year of high school, I met a girl, and sat next to her on a German class field trip to Chicago. We went to The Chicago Brauhaus for a meal, and the Davis Theater for a German movie (Hurrah, Die Schule Brannt). I sat next to this girl in the movie.
Several days later, I was going to call her for a date. I picked up the phone from kitchen wall and dialed. In the living room, my dad turned off the TV to listen in. The phone rang and was answered, and I asked to talk to the girl. The voice said it was her. I asked about a date, and she said “nope. not interested.” I hung up sorry for myself, saddened and bitter because my family heard me getting turned down.
The school session ended soon, and I did not run into her. The next year, I went to Junior/Senior campus, and she was at Freshman/Sophomore school, so we did not cross paths. When I saw her in my Senior year, we talked. She asked why I never called her back. What?!? Turned out I was talking to her younger brother pretending to be her. He admitted it. She and I did go on several dates, but I have always since hated talking on phones, especially with family listening.
Thanks for reading…and here’s my number…call me, maybe. Ugh.
Librarytomes 