pages of charts showing the cost of living in the United States and Europe in recent years, with the rate of wages; a chronological table of the chief events of history (over 2000 entries), so arranged that any one may see at a glance the most important happenings all over the world at any given time; a chronological chart covering the makers of European and American literature from the days of Sophocles and earlier to Maeterlinck and Weir Mitchell; a list of rulers from Menes to George V; and a genealogical chart of European royal houses.

WHEN The Century Dic-
tionary was first planned it
was determined that in beauty
of typography and convenience
of form it should stand with-
out a peer. An entirely new
font of type was designed and
manufactured especially for it.
In this respect no improvement
can be made; but the new edi-
tion is far superior to the old
in the matter of paper, print-
ing, and binding. Fifteen
years ago the question of the
use of thin India paper was
considered thoroughly, and sample volumes on that paper were
printed, bound, and tested by use. Again it has been tried, but
rejected as before, because, while India paper is admirably suited to
a book which must be made light for reading, it is not suited to one
made for hasty reference where instant information is desired and
the pages must be turned over in the shortest possible time. Nor is
it suited to our exquisite wood-engravings, needing a fine surface for
their printing.

One of the illustrations in the group covering Lace.
Pillow for making Bobbin Lace. (From the Metropolitan
Museum, New York.)

THE PAPER chosen for the new edition of The Century was subjected to the most rigorous tests, including microscopical analysis. of fiber composition, chemical analysis, breaking strength, bursting strength, and folding endurance.

The last was considered the
most important of all, and a
special machine was devised
for the purpose of folding
a sheet backward and for-
ward until it showed a rup-
ture. Out of twenty-eight
samples of paper tested,
eleven of the most promising
were printed with sample
pages of the dictionary and
bound into volumes which
were subjected to further
tests for strength and endur-

Cut under Lace. Italian; Network, 16th century.

ance. The paper finally chosen is made by one of the best known
mills in the United States, which has made paper for The Century
Magazine for forty years.

The typography

Why India paper cannot be

used

The tests for paper

The

presswork "the finest of any large referencebook"

The best leather for

binding

that can be found

"Library buckram"

for the cloth books

The unusual safeguards

THE PRESSWORK of the new edition is the most perfect possible. Estimates were received from eight of the leading printers of America, and a contract was finally made which provided that "the printers shall make the presswork of this new edition the finest of any large reference-book now in existence, and in keeping with the best traditions of The Century Co." In its rich, black impression, perfect clearness, and even register, The Century is unrivaled.

THE NEW BINDING is the result of continuous and exhaustive experiment. In almost all books bound to-day the binding soon deteriorates,-leather, in a few years, sometimes becomes yellow dust. Search was made for a leather which should prove as durable as the famous Spanish leather of the Middle Ages. Authorities in Europe and America were consulted, and the relative merits of the skins of seals, kangaroos, calves, sheep, pigs, and goats (the latter is called "morocco") were scrutinized and tested. As a result both pigskin and goatskin were chosen-the skins not to be split, no injurious acids to enter the tanning process, the dyes to be pure and fast, and the entire treatment to be by methods reproducing as nearly as possible the old hand-tanning processes.

The specifications for leather used on the new revision were indorsed by the Department of Agriculture, U. S. A., the London Society of Arts, the Sound Leather Committee of the Library Association of London, the British Museum, the Boston Public Library, and other authorities.

For the cloth-bound edition a "library
buckram" has been selected, made accord-
ing to specifications laid down by the
United States government and adopted
by the Library Associations of England
and America.

Chytra.

In the binding every known precaution has been taken, all of the sheets being sewn on tapes which are placed between the boards of the covers instead of being merely pasted down on the outside of an unsplit board, as had been the custom hitherto; special guards have been placed on each insert; muslin guards and joints reinforce the first and last sections. No

reference-book was ever printed and bound with the care which has been given to this new revision of The Century Dictionary, Cyclopedia, and Atlas.

THE CENTURY DICTIONARY originally was issued in six
volumes. Later, and with the addition of The Century Cyclopedia
of Names and The Century Atlas, the set became ten volumes. The
additions to the new revised and enlarged edition have increased this

to twelve volumes. As already
stated, the cost of the editorial
work and plates has been about
a million and a quarter of dol-
lars. When asked whether so
great an expenditure has been
justified by the financial re-
turn, we reply in the affirma-
tive. Up to date two hundred
thousand sets of the work, in
its various editions, have been
sold, for which the public has
paid many millions of dollars.
Even when the large cost of
production, manufacture, ad-
vertising, selling, and distribu-
tion is deducted, the result is
gratifying. But beyond any

One of the illustrations in the group of Dogs. Boston Terrier. Medium height, 14 inches (to top of shoulder); weight, 18 pounds.

money profit is the consciousness that The Century is an achievement -the greatest reference-book ever made and the most useful book in the world.

We want you who read this page to own it.

THE CENTURY CO.

A SPECIAL EXCHANGE OFFER LIMITED TO FEBRUARY 28, 1914 An out of date reference work is about as useful as an out of date directory. But it has a purchasing power, depending upon the binding now selected, of from $11.25 to $25.20 as applied toward the price of the new revised and enlarged Century Dictionary, Cyclopedia, and Atlas.

We will buy from you any reference work in your possession, of whatever date, if your order for the New Edition of The Century is received before the above expiration date.

Transportation charges will be paid by us. instalments; or, we will allow a further discount for full cash payment.

THE CENTURY Co.,

Union Square, New York City.

See the annexed coupon-it will bring prompt reply, giving exact prices at which you may secure the new Century under this offer.

Gentlemen: Please quote me prices on each of the five bindings of The Century Dictionary, Cyclopedia, and Atlas, according to the above offer. I am the owner of

(Insert name of your old reference work)

Payment may be made in monthly

NAME....

The growth of The Century