Ellen G. White: The Australian Years: 1891-1900 (vol. 4)

Illustrations and Finance

At the time The Desire of Ages was published, Adventist publishing houses had limited capital to invest in large books, and the authors at times assisted in providing funds for illustrations and initial expense such as typesetting and the making of the printing plates. With the decision that the book would be published by the Pacific Press, in Oakland, California, interest at both the author's end and the publishing house turned to these arrangements. With Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, handled by the General Conference Association as publishers and the Review and Herald as printers, the results as far as illustrations were concerned proved disappointing; many of the cuts had to be made over. With The Desire of Ages there was, over a period of months, quite a volume of correspondence, the examining of proofs, et cetera, for it was determined that the illustrations had to have the author's approval. 4BIO 390.2

On July 16, 1896, Ellen White wrote of the financial side in a letter to Mrs. Wessels in South Africa: 4BIO 390.3

The manuscript for the “Life of Christ” is just about to be sent to America. This will be handled by the Pacific Press. I have employed workers to prepare this book, especially Sister Davis, and this has cost me $3,000. Another $3,000 will be needed to prepare it to be scattered broadcast through the world in two books. We hope they will have a large sale.—Letter 114, 1896. 4BIO 390.4

While in the United States, W. C. White was able to give attention to the illustrations, consulting with the Pacific Press and with the artist, W. A. Reaser, in New York City (11 WCW, p. 32). 4BIO 390.5