As 1888 turned to 1889, we reflected on several topics that still resonate today. Looking back at 1888, we speculated that industry sales were negatively impacted by the distraction of the presidential election (in which Benjamin Harrison defeated Grover Cleveland). Improving copyright protections, removing prices from book jackets, and reviving bookstores were among the goals outlined for the New Year.

From the Archive :January 5, 1889 by Publishers Weekly on Scribd