work
must not be hurried. The cover design must be good, both front and back.
It should interest and attract, and at first glance create a favorable
impression. It should be a quick-acting advertisement, characteristic of
the business, telling the reader instantly what it is about, so
distinctly individual and striking that it insures attention like a
flash. A good cover design is a most important feature of any catalogue,
requiring originality of conception and the best artistic engraving and
printing skill in its execution. Such a cover is always worth infinitely
more than it costs.

Arrangements are next made with engraving companies whose artists and
engravers are to prepare the drawings and provide the cuts used in
illustrating the catalogue, and whose abilities and resources are
sometimes taxed severely to get the work out as required.

The quantity to be issued and the size of the book being determined,
paper selected, and artists and engravers secured, the work of compiling
the catalogue begins. General catalogues are issued semi-annually,
usually in March and September. A definite date is fixed when the
catalogue is to be completed, and everyone associated with it in any way
must work to that end; not always easily accomplished, but possible, and
therefore insisted upon. Blank books are usually provided heads of
departments, who are expected to use them, thus preserving a uniformity
in the preparation of copy, and facilitating the work of the catalogue
manager and printer. For months previous to the issue of the catalogue
the buyers have been securing goods from everywhere, planning ahead,
anticipating the wants of customers by making extensive preparations
for the future. The world's markets must be visited and examined into,
finding out what is new in this line, what change in that, whether this
new idea in lamp goods is what the people will want, what designs in
baby carriages are new and attractive, whether this style of boys'
clothing is correct or not, knowing the latest ideas in gloves, laces,
ribbons, handkerchiefs, fancy goods, etc.; securing the newest and most
fashionable dress fabrics, knowing what styles in millinery, jackets,
mantles, blouses, wrappers, etc., will prevail; seeking out, buying and
arranging for quantities and deliveries to meet the demands of the
trade--in fact, going over the whole range of merchandise.

The department manager's selections from these goods, as to quality,
vari