Safe Methods of Business

The Business Guide; or, Safe Methods of Business, was written by James Lawrence (J. L.) Nichols, A.M. First published in 1886, it became one of the most successful business manuals of the late 19th century. It wasn't just a book for established professionals; it was designed as a "legal adviser and guide to business success" for students, teachers, and everyday people.

In an era before the internet or specialized software, this book acted as an all-in-one toolkit for navigating the complexities of Victorian-era commerce. It typically included:

- Business Forms & Law: Detailed templates for writing checks, promissory notes, deeds, and contracts, alongside explanations of commercial law to help readers avoid common legal traps.

- Rapid Computation Tables: "Boiled down" math tables for interest rates, grain weights, and measurements-essential for farmers and merchants.

- Etiquette & Ethics: Advice on business conduct, letter writing (business correspondence), and moral principles like "Diligence is the mother of good luck."

- Dictionary & Reference: A comprehensive business dictionary and lists of common abbreviations.

James L. Nichols was a teacher in the Commercial Department of North-Western College in Naperville, Illinois. He compiled the handbook specifically because he felt there was a lack of practical, "cheap" information for the average person to handle business transactions safely. Rather, such information remained among the business elites of the day, who had invested heavily in keeping it secret from the working class and the poor. The wealthy thrived on the "self-made man" myth and the arrogance and prejudice that come with assuming that one just naturally gets what one deserves.

What makes this book particularly interesting in the history of publishing is its distribution. It was a staple of summer door-to-door sales. College students often spent their summer vacations selling books to pay for their tuition. Because it was revised frequently to stay current with changing laws, it went through dozens of editions (reaching its 44th edition by 1894). Even its distribution method gave individuals an opportunity to get a leg up.

The book is a fascinating example of a bestseller that served as a specific "compass" in the world of emerging American capitalism at the end of the 19th century. It was a compendium of practical knowledge, covering everything from the principles of penmanship and letter writing to commercial law and business ethics. The book taught people how to run their own companies and achieve success in that field. It was written in simple language, easily understood by the average person, translating complex regulations into everyday speech.

The first edition was published in 1886 and achieved phenomenal commercial success almost immediately, becoming one of the most popular guidebooks of that era. Within just 10 years of its premiere, over a million copies were sold. This was a staggering result, considering that the US population at the time was approximately 63-70 million. The peak of its popularity was reached at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Many sources, including the Illinois State Archives, report that during its period of greatest popularity (1886-1930), the book circulated more than 4 million copies. The highest edition/printing number recorded in official registers and at collector auctions is the 96th edition (reprint) from 1931. The reported sales pace may suggest that by this time, the number of copies sold had approached 5 million. It is worth remembering, however, that the book has been continually reprinted and is currently available in the public domain for free. Thus, the number of editions ultimately exceeded 100.