Book publishers are selling at skeptical valuations for good reason. Online publishing will eventually decimate the old silos of editorial power. But fortunately, books themselves - as in paper physical books - will likely be around a long time despite increasing pressures from eBooks.
Courier Corporation (CRRC), founded 1824 and incorporated 1972, has two main segments: book manufacturing and publishing. It is the third largest book manufacturer in the United States, which is where it makes its money - not in publishing. The company has shown a remarkably stable performance over the last ten years, despite the dramatic revolutions in technology:
Obviously, historical stability tells us little about the future. In this case, however, the majority of Courier's...