ABSTRACT
In 1974 and early 1975, mass market paperback publishing, after several years as book publishing's greatest growth sector, slowed like a quarter horse attempting six furlongs. In 1973, mass market publishers' receipts of $285.9 million represented an increase of 13.1 percent over 1972 and 24.9 percent over 1971. But the 1974 total of $293.6 million was up a modest 2.7 percent over 1973—the worst growth record of any area of hardcover or paperback publishing. Trade paperbacks were healthier. In that area, publishers' 1974 receipts of $97.3 million represented a 12.2 percent increase over 1973 and a 39.8 percent increase over 1972. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the phonograph record industry was in dire trouble. The LP was a new product; firms were recording anything plausible in sight; new companies rose and fell practically overnight; retailers were glutted; unsold records were dumped at disaster prices; composers and musicians were paid irregularly if at all.
