Paul Elder’s catalogues (only rarely did he spell it catalog) can be generally divided into three types:
- Elder’s own publications, including ephemera
- Antiquarian books in Elder’s rare book room
- General books for sale
Many of Elder’s catalogues are known to have been issued in late autumn, in time for the Christmas shopping season.
Elder’s own publications
Elder’s first known catalogue was Concerning the Publications of D. P. Elder and Morgan Shepard in 1900. Among the six featured books are Charles Keeler’s Bird Notes Afield and Edward Robeson Taylor’s Moods. The catalogue also announces the upcoming enlarged version of Personal Impressions magazine, and further, contains the first-ever appearance of a tomoyé in Elder & Shepard’s work.
Antiquarian catalogues
By 1900, Paul Elder had established himself as antiquarian book dealer, and included a photograph of the Old Book Room in the 1900 catalogue Concerning the Publications of D. P. Elder and Morgan Shepard. At least two Elder & Shepard antiquarian catalogues appeared in 1901, including Messrs. Elder and Shepard’s First Catalogue of Standard and Beautiful Editions for Private Libraries, and Sale Catalogue—Library of the Late Gen. W. H. L. Barnes.
Elder’s antiquarian career was abruptly cut short with the destruction of his inventory by the 1906 earthquake and fire. Later in his career, he was able to resume a modest rare book trade, as evidenced by the 1929 Catalogue of Rare Books for Collectors.
General books for sale
During Elder’s publishing career (1898-1917), Elder is only known to have advertised his own publications, despite the fact that most of the books in his bookstore were those of other publishers. The only glimpses of other books came in the form of comments and reviews in Impressions magazine, which he published between 1899 and 1905.
In the 1920s, general interest catalogues appeared bearing Paul Elder’s name, but which were clearly not produced locally.
List of catalogues
This list should only be considered a highlight of some important ones.
C1. Concerning the Publications of D. P. Elder and Morgan Shepard. Elder & Shepard 1900.
C2. The Tomoyé Catalogue, by D. P. Elder & Morgan Shepard. 238 Post Street, SF. Elder & Shepard c1902.
C3. Holiday Catalogue of Contemporary, Standard, Antiquarian and First Editions of General Literature. Elder & Shepard 1902.
C4. An Arts and Crafts Book Shop. c1904.
C5. Catalogue of an Arts & Crafts Bookshop, edited by Paul Elder. 1905.
C6. For the Gaiety of Nations, Contributed by a Western Publisher, by Paul Elder & Co. Van Ness Ave. Cor. Bush St. San Francisco. 1905.
C7. An Arts & Crafts Bookshop in Greater San Francisco. 1906.
C8. For the Better Life. Books and Booklets of Ethical Appeal from the Catalogue of a Western Publisher, by Paul Elder & Co. Van Ness Ave. Cor. Bush St. San Francisco. c1907.
C9. From Friend to Friend, Being the Catalogue of a Western Publisher, by Paul Elder & Co. Van Ness Ave. Cor. Bush St. San Francisco. 43-45 East Nineteenth St, N.Y. State St. at Anapamu, Santa Barbara. c1908.
C10. Supplement 1908-1909 Publication Catalogue. 1909.
C11. Pleasant Pages. 1910.
C12. Impressions Annual 1911-1912. 1911.
C13. Holiday Suggestions From a Western Publisher, by Paul Elder & Co. c1915.
C14. A Complete Order List Supplementary to Various Catalogues from a Western Publisher, by Paul Elder & Co. Van Ness Ave. Cor. Bush St. San Francisco. c1918
C15. Holiday Catalog of a Western Publisher. 1918.
C16. Choice Offerings From a Varied Stock. 1932.
C17. Checklist: A Catalogue of the Publications of Paul Elder & Co. Issued at No. 239 Grant Ave., San Francisco. 1916
C18. Catalogue of Rare Books for Collectors. November 1929.
C19. The Catalogue of the First Annual Exhibition and Sale of the Guild of Arts and Crafts, held in the Maple Room of the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, California. Tomoye Press, 1903. [Held 10-12 December 1903]
C20. Catalogue From a Western Publisher, 1904.
C21. Impressions Annual 1912-1913. 1912.