by Kevin Coupe
The Associated Press reports that there has been one unexpected result of the decision announced by the Encyclopaedia Britannica three weeks ago that it was discontinuing the publishing of a print edition after 244 years.
People actually started to buy the 32-volume 2010 edition, the last to be published on paper.
The company says that before the announcement, it was selling about 60 sets a week. Afterwards, it began selling more than a thousand sets a week ... for $1395 apiece ... and now there are only some 800 sets left.
The company says there are no plans to reconsider its decision to go online-only.
Which probably is smart.
Once the announcement was made, the print editions became collectors’ items. But that does not mean that they are any more relevant for a 21st century reading public.
Still ..it is an Eye-Opener.
The Associated Press reports that there has been one unexpected result of the decision announced by the Encyclopaedia Britannica three weeks ago that it was discontinuing the publishing of a print edition after 244 years.
People actually started to buy the 32-volume 2010 edition, the last to be published on paper.
The company says that before the announcement, it was selling about 60 sets a week. Afterwards, it began selling more than a thousand sets a week ... for $1395 apiece ... and now there are only some 800 sets left.
The company says there are no plans to reconsider its decision to go online-only.
Which probably is smart.
Once the announcement was made, the print editions became collectors’ items. But that does not mean that they are any more relevant for a 21st century reading public.
Still ..it is an Eye-Opener.
- KC's View:
