THE GOSPEL OF WEALTH and OTHER TIMELY ESSAYS, by ANDREW CARNEGIE.

NEW YORK: The Century Co., 1900. First edition, first state (second state printed in 1901).

Hardcovers, original dark-green cloth covered boards, gilt titles to the spine, gilt top page edges, 5.5x8.5 inches, xxii, 305 pages.

Condition: Ex-lib the Hanover Public Library (Hanover, PA) / St. Marks Association, with library bookplates to the front pastedown, a library blindstamp on the first five leaves, and a thin. 4x4 inch "Checkout" pocket pasted onto the blank rear endpaper with inkstamped dates on it for the times the book was checked out. The card pocket has caused some closed tearing to the backside of the leaf on which it was applied, mimicking the card pockets edges. Apparently the book was only checked out six times - 1912, 1914, 1925, (1926?), 1971 and 1974. There is a WITHDRAWN stamp across this pocket.

The book has been professionally conserved. The rebound covers are now solid and tightly bound. The spine has been rebacked, its gilt titles are faded and partially rubbed away but still legible. There is a 1 inch area of discoloration at the spine's top end. Internally, the rear endpaper has numerous tears at the gutter margin which have been repaired with clear tape. Otherwise the pages are bright, clean, clear and unmarked. A solid, presentable copy of this RARE 1900 FIRST EDITION.

As Andrew Carnegie was the patron saint of public libraries (financing the construction of over 1600), it's appropriate this copy was deaccessioned from a public library!

About the HANOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY, and its Collection Policy (from various Internet sources):

******The Guthrie Memorial Library (previously the Hanover Public Library) first opened its doors on October 3, 1911. Its initial collection of 5,100 books was primarily sourced from Hanover's public schools and from books donated to the adjacent St. Mark's Lutheran Church. It has undergone a number of changes, renovations, and expansions over the years.

The Guthrie Memorial Library / Hanover Public Library deaccessions books that are rarely checked out. As a branch of the York County Libraries, the library system relies on circulation, holds, and community demand to drive its Collection Policy. Library staff conduct systematic "weeding" processes throughout the year to pull out-of-date, damaged, or rarely used books in order to maintain a fresh, relevant, and accessible collection. Materials that are withdrawn are often donated to or sold by the Friends of the Library.******