User:Urbanhistorian/Robert W.Shoppell

Robert W.Shoppell-Publisher and writer of the Late 1800's. Co-Owner of National Tribune Publishing Co. in Washington, D.C. First to mimic Palliser's method of mail-order practice. New York City dealer of publications, publishing supplies and woodcuts.

Business in New York City
Robert W. Shoppell of New York City was probably the first to openly mimic Palliser's method of mail-order practice. A dealer in publishing supplies and woodcuts. He began to organize some of his Cooperative Building Plan Association about 1880, and assembled some of his collection of miscellaneous illustrations into a paperwork booklet entitled How to Build a House: Cooperative Building Plans, Containing the Most Approved Designs for Villas, Cottages, Farm Houses, and Suburban Architecture, published in April 1883. Shoppell was the first to under take a journal specifically to forward his mail-order business, with Shoppell's Modern Houses, An Illustrated Architectural Quarterly, begun in January 1886.

According to Casper's Directory of the American Book, News and stationary Trade of 1889 Shoppell is listed in directory, " Shoppell, R.W.-O B P, 24 Beekman, New York, New York. "Shoppel's Modern Houses"-(Est. 1886, Qu. Archit. 1.00.) Co-Operative Building Plan Assn.....63 BBroadway, New York,N.Y. After learning he was to move to Washington, D.C. to take part ownership of The National Tribune Publishing Co, had advertized "Wood Cuts and Electrotypes. Bought, Sold and Loaned. Over 10,000 on hand. All specially Selected and adapted for American Newspapers, Books, Magazines,etc,etc. R.W. Shoppell 48 Beckman Steet, N.Y." in The Publishers Weekly, A Journal specially devoted to the Interests of the Book and Stationary Trade. Volume 10 by R.R. Bowker company. July to Dec. 1876.

Co-Ownership of the National Tribune Publishing Co.
The firm of McElroy, Shoppell and Andrews acquired the National Tribune Publishing Co. in April of 1897.