1961-1962 - American Museum of Natural History

Library, a series of inexpensive, attractive paperback reprints
of classics in the field of natural history. These are published
by Doubleday Anchor Books in cooperation with the Museum.
Members of the scientific staff of the Museum select titles that
will introduce the reader to the study of man and to the whole
natural world.
In December, 1961, Mr. John F. Purcell resigned from his
positions as Publications Manager and Editor of Natural History.
During his tenure as Editor, Natural History not only
developed in quality but markedly increased in circulation.
Mr. Purcell also guided the preliminary inquiries into the
new publications program for the Museum. Mr. Robert E.
Williamson continues as Managing Editor of Natural History,
and Mrs. Helene Jordan was appointed Executive Editor.
Paid circulation of Natural History totaled 124,210 subscribers;
this is a new high for the third consecutive year. In
August, 1961, the magazine successfully met the requirements
for membership in the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
During the past fiscal year, Natural History showed a 46
per cent increase in gross advertising billing over the previous
year. This represents a 40 per cent gain in net advertising
revenue, despite a 20 per cent increase in page rates. It also
reflects a linage increase of nearly 20 pages.
Editorially, the magazine continued to attract outstanding
writers. In December, 1961, the American Association for the
Advancement of Science-Westinghouse Award for excellence in
scientific writing was presented to Natural History and the
noted science writer, John Pfeiffer, for the latter's article,
"DNA: Master Substance of Life."
Junior Natural History had a successful year under the
editorship of Mrs. Marion B. Carr. An advisory committee was
formed to develop further periodical publishing for young
readers.
Curator, entering its fifth year of publication under the
editorship of Dr. Edwin H. Colbert, was widely praised by
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