The Voice of a Business

Philadelphia: Ayer Press, 1935. First Edition, Limited. Octavo with black boards and gilt spine title; 113 pages, 1 leaf 22 cm Fine(-) to near fine(+) with faint foxing to portions of boards only; else appears unread. Hardcover.

Very scarce in this original issue. "Privately printed by N.W. Ayers & Son, Inc., at the Ayer Press, Washingon Square, Philadelphia. This is a limited edition of which this copy is Number 284" --p. 115. A collection of speeches, essays, and corporate philosophy distilled from Cameron's broadcasts—presenting Ford’s idea of business as a moral, almost civic force. It framed industry not merely as an economic enterprise but as a “voice” with responsibility toward society, employees, and national character. Its importance lies in several interwoven threads:Corporate propaganda history: It represents an early, polished example of corporate communications being packaged as literature. Ford’s ideological imprint: Cameron helped articulate Henry Ford’s views, blending paternalistic industrial philosophy with moral overtones. This makes the book key to understanding how Ford sought to influence public opinion beyond automobiles. Cameron himself: He was a controversial figure, not least because he edited The Dearborn Independent during its period of publishing anti-Semitic articles (later repudiated by Ford). The Voice of a Business shows Cameron repositioning himself and Ford Motor Company in the Depression era as guardians of American values, rather than agitators"