29 AUGUST 1931, Page 22

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We are interested to learn of the advent of a new publishing firm, Messrs. Ivor Nicholson and Watson, Limited, of Essex Street, Strand. They propose to commission authors to write the books which in their judgement are required rather than to await the arrival of MSS. from authors who may or may not know what the public want to read. Some firms, of course, already adopt both policies, but the possibilities of the commission method have not been fully explored. Mr. Ivor Nicholson was formerly with Messrs. Cassell's firm ; his co-director, Mr. Bernard Watson, is a son of Mr. Angus Watson, of Newcastle.