From Few and Expensive to Many and Cheap: The British Book Market 1800–1890

Summary:

Even at its height, Victorian fiction accounted for only about a third of the titles in the book-trade. Most of the books during this period were still nonfiction works.

Magazines and newspapers did not include illustrations around 1800 because pictures cost too much to produce.  Only the rich could afford to decorate their walls with pictures.

In 1842, copyright was extended to include 7 years after the author’s death, or 42 years total, whichever was the longer of the two. Since that time the legal deposit collection has been much more accurate.

Specialist bookstores were rare and often would go out of business because other bookshops sold more than just books.  They sold newspapers, stationery, and medicines, among other things. Interestingly enough, that’s why so many cheaper books contained ads for medical goods).

Comment:

I thought it was interesting that reading and writing were limited based on the only forms of lighting available being natural light and candles. Eliot says that gas and electric lighting were the real turning points when it came to commercial reading and writing. Growing up in this age, I’ve never even considered not being able to read or write because I couldn’t see the page. 

Question:

How did they come up with the copyright law of 42 years or 7 years after the author's death? What was the significance or purpose of choosing these seemingly arbitrary numbers?