BOOKS AND THE DATE OF PUBLICATION [To the Editor of
the Specrieroel Slit,—In the Authors' and Printers' Dictionary, by F. Howard Collins, it states under " Title Page " that such page should contain amongst other things " date of publication (this should never be omitted)." From the same source the Report of the Committee of the Publishers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland, 1898, also laid down " that the title page of every book should bear the date of the year of pub- lication."
It would appear that in recent times, despite the above, there is apparently a growing tendency to issue books without the date of publication, and it would be interesting to know whether there is any adequate reason for this departure from the usual custom. The omission. is irritating to the reader, as it is impossible to tell whether such books are recent or were printed years ago, and as time goes on, this position of affairs will become accentuated. From any point of view, however, it seems a short-sighted policy to pursue, as to start by annoying the possible reader is not the best way to sell b-aoks.—I am, Sir, &c., London, S.E.19.
P. CHESTER.
Previous page
