He received the first copy imported, through a friend
who had bought it in Boston the day the steamer sailed, for his own
reading. He gave it to Mr. V., who took it to the late Mr. David
Bogue, well known for his general shrewdness and enterprise. He had
the book to read and consider over night, and in the morning returned
it, declining to take it at the very moderate price of five pounds.
"Vizetelly at once put the volume into the hands of a friendly printer
and brought it out on his own account, through the nominal agency of
Clarke & Co. The 7,000 copies sold, other editions followed, and Mr.
Vizetelly disposed of his interest in the book to the printer and
agent, who joined with Mr. Beeton and at once began to issue monster
editions. The demand called for fresh supplies, and these created an
increased demand. The discovery was soon made that any one was at
liberty to reprint the book, and the initiative was thus given to a
new era in cheap literature, founded on American reprints. A shilling
edition followed the one-and-sixpence, and this in turn became the
precursor of one 'complete for sixpence.' From April to December,
1852, twelve different editions (not reissues) were published, and
within the twelve months of its first appearance eighteen different
London publishing houses were engaged in supplying the great demand
that had set in, the total number of editions being forty, varying
from fine art-illustrated editions at 15s.
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