The beginning of the twentieth century in the United States was time of progress and prosperity. The technological advances of the industrial revolution had granted Americans more time for leisure than ever before. Increases in wealth and free time fostered the growing and hearty American appetites for materialism and consumerism. Freedom from domestic duties enabled American women to spend prolific time reading and writing what have been referred to as “happiness novels,” (Whitley 2008).
Though this time period did produce some relevant works, the mainstream American book market was best selling more romance and detective novels than literary master pieces. In his memoir Wide Margins, George Palmer Putnam, (Grandson of the elder G.P.Putnam) writes,
“In the first ten years of this century American reading turned both American and naïve in a way incomprehensible now…precious little writing was really good. (I am talking about the best-sellers; there were plenty of fine craftsmen who had select followings but nothing special in sale records.” (Putnam, 1942, p.19)
George Haven Putnam also expressed disappointment in American reading habits of the time. Though he would always cater to the mainstream appetites of the middles and upper middle classes, he couldn’t help but inherit his father’s concern for the intellectual well being of Americans, especially the younger ones. In his autobiography, Memories of a Publisher, he writes, “In 1909, I brought into print, mainly for the information of my nephew, who were, I found, growing up in shameful ignorance of the Civil War ,a biographical study of Lincoln..”(Putnam, G.H., 1915, P.416).
At the beginning of the twentieth century more time and money was being spent on children’s education. Though many children suffered working in factories as result of the industrial revolution, other youngsters were freed from the rigors of agricultural life. Children’s education was finally growing into the formal version Americans experience in modern times.
“High schools had become popular 20 years before and junior high schools were a few short years away... Teacher education improved during this decade and testing became the norm. In 1900 the Association of American Universities was formed to promote high tandards among colleges,” (Whitley, 2008).
G.P. Putnam’s Sons faced the challenge of producing literature that would stimulate the newly-educated middle class at a time when all they wanted to read about was “sweet and lightness,”(G.P. Putnam 1942). Publishing On Friendship by Cicero along with Friendship by Emerson provided a light and happy theme as well and intellectual stimulation .G.P. Putnam’s sons may have also sought to reaffirm the status of American writing by placing an iconic American author alongside a greet Ancient Roman philosopher, thus inviting the comparison. The collection of these light yet interesting essays also appealed the American aesthetic appetite for Art Nouveau.
Art Nouveau was highly decorative combination of industrial and whimsical. Artists and the public in general sought to incorporate this style in all aspect of the aesthetic life, whether it be paintings, jewelry, clothing, or architecture. (Greenhalgh 2000). G.P. Putnam’s Sons’ Friendship teams from front to cover with gorgeous, illuminated, foliate borders. It also features gilded sides and a foliate gilded cover. The middle class American had a product that was pleasurable to read, educational, and looked beautiful in their craftsman home.
Though this time period did produce some relevant works, the mainstream American book market was best selling more romance and detective novels than literary master pieces. In his memoir Wide Margins, George Palmer Putnam, (Grandson of the elder G.P.Putnam) writes,
“In the first ten years of this century American reading turned both American and naïve in a way incomprehensible now…precious little writing was really good. (I am talking about the best-sellers; there were plenty of fine craftsmen who had select followings but nothing special in sale records.” (Putnam, 1942, p.19)
George Haven Putnam also expressed disappointment in American reading habits of the time. Though he would always cater to the mainstream appetites of the middles and upper middle classes, he couldn’t help but inherit his father’s concern for the intellectual well being of Americans, especially the younger ones. In his autobiography, Memories of a Publisher, he writes, “In 1909, I brought into print, mainly for the information of my nephew, who were, I found, growing up in shameful ignorance of the Civil War ,a biographical study of Lincoln..”(Putnam, G.H., 1915, P.416).
At the beginning of the twentieth century more time and money was being spent on children’s education. Though many children suffered working in factories as result of the industrial revolution, other youngsters were freed from the rigors of agricultural life. Children’s education was finally growing into the formal version Americans experience in modern times.
“High schools had become popular 20 years before and junior high schools were a few short years away... Teacher education improved during this decade and testing became the norm. In 1900 the Association of American Universities was formed to promote high tandards among colleges,” (Whitley, 2008).
G.P. Putnam’s Sons faced the challenge of producing literature that would stimulate the newly-educated middle class at a time when all they wanted to read about was “sweet and lightness,”(G.P. Putnam 1942). Publishing On Friendship by Cicero along with Friendship by Emerson provided a light and happy theme as well and intellectual stimulation .G.P. Putnam’s sons may have also sought to reaffirm the status of American writing by placing an iconic American author alongside a greet Ancient Roman philosopher, thus inviting the comparison. The collection of these light yet interesting essays also appealed the American aesthetic appetite for Art Nouveau.
Art Nouveau was highly decorative combination of industrial and whimsical. Artists and the public in general sought to incorporate this style in all aspect of the aesthetic life, whether it be paintings, jewelry, clothing, or architecture. (Greenhalgh 2000). G.P. Putnam’s Sons’ Friendship teams from front to cover with gorgeous, illuminated, foliate borders. It also features gilded sides and a foliate gilded cover. The middle class American had a product that was pleasurable to read, educational, and looked beautiful in their craftsman home.