RARE 1876 Centennial Exposition Salesman’s Prospectus Dummy-Map-Spine Strip-Ads For Sale

~The product is a rare 1876 Centennial Exposition salesman's prospectus dummy with fold out map, spine strip and ads. Published by Hubbard Bros. in Philadelphia, it is an original true first edition in English with illustrations. Authored by J.S. Ingram, this historical Americana piece showcases history, world’s fair and expositions making it a valuable collectible for those interested in historical items from the United States of America.

~It was written as a comprehensive guide and historical record commemorating the first century of American independence.

~Includes a fold out map of the centennial grounds tucked into the back plus 4 pages of ads. This book is a salesman’s perspective dummy, meaning this book is not a standard retail copy, but a rare salesman’s sample copy used to door knock for orders in 1876.

~Dual sided sample binding covers feature front cover of the Liberty Bell is detailed in bright, expensive gilt while the back cover features the Liberty Bell with blind debossing giving prospectus buyers a choice. For a premium, you can have the beautiful gold leaf on the front or to save money you can order the plain cloth edition like the back cover.

~ Includes Ad’s for the Complete Domestic Bible, New American Fireside edition of Robinson Crusoe, Ocean Story, Triumph of 30 Centuries, Ladies Medical Guide, Bingley‘s Natural History, and Agents Wanted, the subscription book business for popular works, how it is conducted. The last ad explains the exact business model for the Hubbard Brothers. It notes that their subscription books are never sold by us to be again sold in bookstores and both that successful agents can make a massive $1000-$3000 a year traveling town to town. It even details their plan of operations, allocating specific exclusive territories to individual canvassers.

~This book is a perfectly intact time capsule of 19th century, American commerce. It is far rarer than the standard retail editions of the Exposition Centennial.

While thousands of regular copies were printed for the public, these samples were only issued to traveling agents and were frequently thrown away or damaged on the road or destroyed, when the fair ended.

~Page 111/112 features a fold out of the Women’s Pavilion, Machinery Hall, Agricultural Hall and Horticultural Hall.

~5 blank flyleaf in back for salesman’s orders.

~Brown cloth covers have foxing, corner bumps and shelf wear.

~Hinge split. Title page loose. “ Entered

according to the Act of Congress in the year 1876 by Hubbard Brothers in the office of the librarian of Congress at Washington DC.” Some creasing, text block looks clean and tightly bound.

~2.5 pages of illustrations. Tear on last page 770.